Portugal was something we were more familiar with given influence on Indian regions like Goa. This far off western most country in Europe took us longest to reach by land. Although relatively less visited, the country has a lot to offer
Best time to visit
Spring and Autumn between Mar- May, Sep- Nov are best months to visit. The temperature will be pleasant with minimal rains and snow. The beaches are the best in summer, but hot and humid at the same time
Visa
Schengen visa is valid here
Getting In and around
Lisbon is the capital and hub for all flights and trains
If you are staying for more than a week in Eurozone and not opting for car rentals, Eurail pass can be worth the cost. It comes in variants as low as 4 days to 3 months, offering unlimited train travel among participating countries. Only long-distance trains are covered, the local trams or metros are not covered
You can explore all options here
Currency- Euro
Cards are accepted at most places
Places to visit
We have visited Lisbon, Sintra, Algarve- Faro regions. There are many more places like Porto, Aviero, Coa Valley that warrant atleast 2 weeks to reasonably cover the country well
Lisbon
The city has many tram lines crisscrossing over the roads. Tram 28 is a local non-tourist tram worth taking a ride on
Alfama district has a nice feel of its own with Moorish architecture and influence. You can stay here if you want to experience the vibe
Torre de Belem and Jerónimos Monastery
Fort Tower on the coast along with Jerónimos Monastery nearby with Portuguese Gothic Manueline architecture form UNESCO World Heritage site
Cabo da Roca
The western most point in the European continent near Cascais with a nice coast and a lighthouse. It is worth a stop if you are travelling between Sintra and Lisbon
Sintra- Pena Palace and Castelo dos Mouros
Home to the colorful Pena Palace and Castelo dos Mouros (Moorish Castle). Sintra is a good day trip from Lisbon. Start around 8 AM to catch the first train so that you can comfortably cover most places within the day
Pena Palace is a colorful creation of the 19th century on a hilltop. Take a bus to the hilltop ideally and start walking Ask frequently for directions since there are multiple entry/ exit points
The Moorish castle is a stone brick walled castle with walls going a long length around. The castle is 20 min walk if you take the right shortest path. Ideally go first to Pena Palace and then walk downwards. The castle is quite nice both from inside and outside, so don’t skip this place
Sintra is connected to Lisbon by train every 20-30 minutes from Oriente/Rossio station, with the ride taking 40 minutes. We were a group of friends, so renting a car became equally cost effective. The roads within Sintra are quite small and parking can be a problem on peak days. Plan to walk around or take local transport (bus number 434) and tuktuks
Beaches of Lagos in Algarve region
Famous for beaches and rock formations on the coast. The city has a Mediterranean vibe with cobble stoned streets, palm trees, Portugese architecture, sea birds and fishing town
Ponta da Piedade has a lighthouse and is the starting point for boat tours. Santa Maria de Lagos is a nice church at the town centre
Lagos is 300 km away taking 4 hours from Lisbon by train towards the south. You might have to change connections at Tunes and Portimao. You can also take the EVA /Rede Expresso bus costing 35-40 Euros if you don’t want to change connections
Where we stayed
Lisbon: WOT New Lisbon Hostel
Lagos: HI Lagos Hostel
Both these hostels were clean and comfortable
How much does it cost
- Flights: $500-600 Lufthansa, Middle East carriers like Etihad are typically the cheapest with best connections
- Accommodation: Hostels cost $10-20 per night and mid-range can be around $50
- Travelling around: Budget $10-30 per day for mix of public transport and 1-2 Uber rides
- Food: $10-20 for simple takeaways