Portugal must-see places

[Jo001]

Mr 001 would like to visit Portugal. Can anyone suggest a scenic route through, with nice places to visit en route, but one that won't terrify me as a nervous passenger?

Time isn't an issue.

 

[Wooie1958]

Message / contact Pauljenny, he`s our Portuguese aficionado

 

[Jo001]

Thank you! I was trying to remember.

So, @Pauljenny , do you have any recommendations or advice? Thank you in anticipation.

 

[Pauljenny]

Mr 001 would like to visit Portugal. Can anyone suggest a scenic route through, with nice places to visit en route, but one that won't terrify me as a nervous passenger?

Time isn't an issue.

When are you coming?

Hot season.. mid March to October, in the south.
Cooler further North, but July and August are stiflingly hot, south of Porto.

As a tourist, or as an explorer.?

The beach resorts are just exactly that, crowded with tourists, desperate to enjoy every second of their hard worked for break. All very familiar and comfortable for people who want a week or two of Blackpool with sunshine. Normally packed out with Spanish and Portuguese working folk, in the summer months.

Do you like being off the beaten track ?
The locals have taken to buying cheap, old German and French motorhomes and there are new Aires going in to many inland places of interest.
They make Brits very welcome, as we have a long history together.
Let me know what you'd be expecting, when you get down here.
Paul.

 

[Jo001]

Thank you so much for replying.

We plan to arrive in early April - although if it is likely to be very hot, we may rethink.

We aren't really into beaches, at least not busy touristy ones although we quite like quiet ones to let the dog have a run (if that's permitted). We prefer seeing scenery, little villages, authentic culture rather than the resorts with full English breakfasts and happy hours. We love food and wine though, and I suspect a trip to Porto will have to be included.

We like outdoor things, we aren't into museums and art galleries.

In France, if this helps set the context, we would typically visit places in the Pretty Villages contest, staying on aires.

What I don't like is very narrow roads with a precipice at my side ...

Any advice is gratefully received.

 

[witzend]

Normally packed out with Spanish and Portuguese working folk,
They make Brits very welcome, as we have a long history together.

Thats how it used to be we had several good winters with some but now with so many of them. Feeling your taking up a space they think their entitled to some don't appear so friendly anymore

 

[Moped]

Sintra - several summer palaces to visit (aires available). Coimbra - the major university in Portugal well worth taking the tour and a very interesting science and natural history museum as part of tour (aires available) Aveiro - the Venice of Portugal with canals around the town (aires available) Lisbon - stay on campsite and bus it into city centre - plenty to see and do including the national pantheon where the good a famous of Portugal are buried including Eusebio and the take the famous tram 26 ride around the narrow streets.

 

[UFO]

We have done 35 nights in Portugal since 2010, typically combined with a visit to Spain. Our experience is that are very few 'bad' places even if some are quiet with not a lot going on. Here are some recommendations, worth a look but it depends what you like. Can't vouch for the overnight spots as a lot has changed over the years.

Date	Town	North	East	Coords	Details	Attraction
22/10/2010	Praia De Mira	40.45703	-8.80272	WI	On the beach
26/10/2010	Almeida	40.72310	-6.90483	CU	Rough CP by entrance to castle	Town within castle walls
17/01/2012	Evora	38.56803	-7.91573	CU	CP near fuel station, well lite	Historic town, Roman Villa, garden with peacoks
22/01/2012	Estoi	37.09334	-7.89599	AF	Small, simple aire	Palace, now a hotel, can walk around grounds. Walk through orange groves
25/01/2012	Praia da Senhora da Rocha	37.09730	-8.38637	CU	Small CP overlooking sea	Ria Formosa Nature Park
26/01/2012	Alte	37.23262	-8.18109	CU		Small village with historic laundry and crafts
26/03/2012	Fratel	39.63208	-7.74653	AF		Traditional village
27/03/2012	Benquerenca	40.22972	-7.22166	AF	Rural aire overlooking river
22/03/2015	Sao Domingos	37.67201	-7.50445	AF	Alternative parking	Old mine working, industraial herritage, closed in 1960s after 108 years, operated by British company Mason & Barry. There is 14km walk
23/03/2015	Estremoz	38.84278	-7.58625	CU	CP in centre of town free
28/03/2015	Miranda de Douro	41.49129	-6.27358	CU		Town walls
16/05/2017	Castelo de Bragança	41.80405	-6.74597	AF	Tiered aire so although it is large it feels spacious with good views.	Castle, walls, river board walk
17/05/2017	Torre de Moncorvo	41.18094	-7.04170	AF	Some way out of the town, not very flat. Free showers.	Medieval town
02/06/2019	Elvas	38.87818	-7.16881	CU	Quiet CP, some shade, ok for 6m	Impressive fortifications, star shaped forts
03/06/2019	Marvao	39.39429	-7.37362	AF	Good views	Fortified town, castle with cistern
04/06/2019	Castelo de Vide	39.41040	-7.44943	CU	Behind sports centre	Walking route, fort, Jewish quarter with museum, fountain, castle
10/06/2019	Castelo Mende	40.59436	-6.94857	CU	Outside village walls, good views	Medieval village, abandoned church, walks

 

[UFO]

I found this useful for getting ideas
Julie Dawn Fox, guides and information https://juliedawnfox.com/category/travel-in-portugal/

 

[Pauljenny]

April..?
Google The Alentejo..
Wine Towns like Vila Viçosa..
Monserraz, Redondo, Vidigueira .

History...?
Follow the trail of the Peninsular wars ( Google) Elvas, Badajos Almieda.. .
All have aires. (www.campingcars.pt.)

Views?
. Marvao, Monsanto.


Wild beaches... ?
Peniche..

Lagoa de Sao André
If you are on an aire, you'll find that local M.Homers are very proud to share and show off interesting places.
Many are ex truckers and have good English.

Don't hurry and always check online guidance..
It's making our feet itch, just writing the names.

 

[n brown]

April..?
Google The Alentejo..
Wine Towns like Vila Viçosa..
Monserraz, Redondo, Vidigueira .

History...?
Follow the trail of the Peninsular wars ( Google) Elvas, Badajos Almieda.. .
All have aires. (www.campingcars.pt.)

Views?
. Marvao, Monsanto.


Wild beaches... ?
Peniche..

Lagoa de Sao André
If you are on an aire, you'll find that local M.Homers are very proud to share and show off interesting places.
Many are ex truckers and have good English.

Don't hurry and always check online guidance..
It's making our feet itch, just writing the names.

try changing your socks more often

 

[UFO]

There was an article in one of the motorhome magazines, November 2022, and this is the route they took.

We are planning to return to Portugal, and Spain, later in the year so I will keep an eye on this thread as I am also looking for ideas.

 

[Jo001]

Thank you all so much, this is all really helpful. ❤

 

[n brown]

you might like the capela de ossos in Evora, if so there's a slightly smaller one in Faro and a tiny one in Alcantarhila . nice maritime museum in Faro too

 

[witzend]

We have done 35 nights in Portugal since 2010, Can't vouch for the overnight spots as a lot has changed over the year

Almedia has new aire close to old one with services here

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

 

[Topmast]

If you are a very nervous passenger I would suggest trying to stay away from major towns, city’s etc as the driving in Portugal absolutely terrifies my wife.Try visiting smaller villages like Monsanto,castelo da vide, marvo .A bit larger Tomar fabulous old buildings interesting aqua duct,water wheel etc. also still very cheap to eat out.

 

[Dezi]

We meandered along the Douro from Porto to Pinhao where there is a good overnight spot on the water side.
You can then pick up Wellingtons route into France.
Dezi

 

[Pauljenny]

The best way to do Porto..:
Leave the van on the secure aire at Peso da Regua.. on the Riverside.
There's a splendid, scenic rattly, train that takes you into Porto. This avoids the traffic.
It can be done in a day, but it's hard work.
Book in at a hotel, near the magnificent station.
There are regular hop on/off tour buses.
Buy a 2 day ticket, at a big discount.
Use the first day to have a good shufti and the second day to return to places that need further investigation..
Eat where the locals eat, rather than the expensive fast food joints.
Take the last train back to Regua.
The railway continues up river with beautiful views, into the wine producing town of Pinhao..
.
You'll remember that for ever...
Show your passports at the rail booking office and you'll get discounts
!

 

[Glandwr]

Sintra is worth a visit, the summer playground (an escape from the heat) of the Portuguese royal family over the years

 

[Jo001]

Update.

We have managed to get a dog friendly cabin on the Plymouth to Santander ferry. Someone must have cancelled, I was schilling every few days and must have been online at just the right time.

So our plans are coming together nicely.

We will start in Bragança, down to the Douro valley (Peso de Regua, Pinhao, Porto).

Then Aviero, Coimbra, Obidos, Peniche and Evora.

That's as far as we've got with planning so far.

Any opinions on how that sounds?