My Top 3 Tips if You are Visiting Portugal
Planning your vacation on the Iberian Peninsula...
I have recently spoken with several North American friends who are planning vacations in Portugal. They all seem to have the same questions. So permit me to offer some tips for those planning a trip to the Iberian Peninsula.
What I Can’t Tell You
Unfortunately, I can’t suggest how long your vacation should be or exactly how much time you should spend in each city or town. We all travel at different paces and like to do different things during a vacation. We recently had visitors that enjoyed shopping. On my list of “things to do during a vacation” …. shopping would rank dead last. Some people enjoy organized tours that usher you to the sites you must see, while others like to explore and have the city unfold before them. I can’t provide you with a specific itinerary but I can offer helpful tips whether you are here for a week or a month.
When Should I Come?
If I were planning a trip to Portugal I would aim for the “shoulder seasons”, i.e. April/May or September/October. If at all possible avoid August. Fortunately, Portugal’s tourism industry has bounced back following COVID-19. Over 26 million people visited Portugal in 2023, a 19.2% increase over the previous year. (It can sometimes feel like 25 million of them visit in August.) So to avoid the worst of the crowds, and benefit from cheaper hotel rates aim for the spring or fall.
You will also find better weather during these months. The spring and early fall see more moderate temperatures and less rainfall. Particularly in the north (Porto, Braga, etc.) you will want to avoid the winter months where rain showers are a near-daily event.
Getting Around
You will likely land in Porto or Lisbon. In both cases, public transportation is your friend. I know most Americans rent a car as soon as they get to their destination, but please consider the alternatives. Not only is public transportation a far more affordable option…it is more relaxing.1 If you are exploring the city, both Porto and Lisbon have robust metros (subways) and bus systems. Google maps will provide you the information you need.
In addition, you will want to explore the following:
CP.PT: Comboios de Portugal is the official site for the Portuguese train system. Use this site, rather than EuroRail or Omni, to travel by train within Portugal. It should be noted that Portugal is not connected by rail to other European countries. There are plans to connect Lisbon to Madrid via highspeed rail…but this is still a few years off. Also, while there are occasionally strikes that impact train schedules … these are always reported on the CP.PT site first! If you are traveling around Lisbon (to Cascais, Sintra, Evora, etc), to the north (Porto and nearby Aveiro, Coimbra, Braga, etc) or south (Faro and the Algarve), the train is an excellent/affordable option.
Flixbus: Yes, we have Flixbus in Portugal. I recently took this when I traveled to Lisbon for the night. The roundtrip ticket (which included service fees, and seat selection) was less than 25€. The bus station is just 3 blocks from our home, and I traveled in comfort (electric outlet at each seat, and free onboard wifi) for 4 hours and 20 minutes (about 1 hour longer than driving) to the Lisbon Oriente station. It should be noted that a Flixbus will also take you to Spain. For example, you can travel from Faro to Sevilla via Flixbus in 2.5 hours for less than 20€.
Rede Expressos: This is another private bus system offering routes throughout Portugal. Like Flixbus, they offer all the amenities and comfort at a very competitive price. Compare schedules and pricing when planning your vacation.
Sevilla, Spain
Spain?
If you are flying across the Atlantic, and have the time, consider adding a side trip to Spain to your itinerary. You could jump on the ferry and take a quick day trip to Ayamonte…or extend your vacation further. I was speaking to friends recently who want to visit friends in Malaga after visiting Portugal. I suggested they use the multi-city option on Skyscanner to consider all their airline options. They could fly into Porto or Lisbon, only renting a car once they get to Algarve. From our home, Malaga is a 4-hour drive. After their visit they could then drive to Sevilla (2 hours north). I would immediately turn in the rental and spend a few days exploring Sevilla before flying back across the pond.
Final Note
I realize planning a trip to another country can be daunting. Some people love doing it, and there are others (like me) that never seem to do enough research. But while I can’t suggest a perfect itinerary I am certain of one thing … no one can predict the future. We may plan to come back but our future is not guaranteed. So I never want to leave a place saying, “I wish I would have…”
Boa viagem, até logo,
Nanc
NOTE: We left for our summer road trip this morning. But that doesn’t mean I am taking off in August…stay tuned….
The cost of the high-speed train from Lisboa Oriente to Faro (Algarve) is less than the highway tolls.
Great advice. We have had such pleasure with prepared guests and such agnst with those seeking our devotion to their entertainment. I would add two pre-steps: 1) Read a guide, such as the Eyewitness Guide, for an overview of history, weather, regions and towns. Without this foundation, it's just a superficial trek on foreign soil. 2) See Julie Dawn Fox's blog, perhaps have Julie do an itinerary as she can deal with the shop vs. World Heritage sites conundrum.
If you are at least 65 years old, you can pay 50% of CP train fares by showing your passport or drivers license when you buy tickets.