Portugal - Lisbon or Porto or not Portugal?!

We visited Lisbon on a cruise last year, spent three hours looking around, decided to go back to the ship as it was awful, my partner had her purse stolen, all in all NOT Lisbon!

Disclaimer: I am Portuguese from Porto.

If you like sunny places, good/ cheap food and drinks and monuments to visit do go to Lisbon.

Lisbon has great night life with wonderful bars by the river side (Docas). You can eat seafood and fish, and lots of grilled meats quite cheap. Do check out the Pedra Alta restaurant by the river side, which is a northern portuguese restaurant where you can eat the traditional salted cod fish for €10 (2 pax), huge seafood kebabs for €20 (2 pax). There is the Oceanarium which was some years ago the largest aquarium in Europe with 5 continents sections (this is in the new river area which was totally reconverted for the Expo 1998, which now has lots of bars and restaurants). There is the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos and Torre Belem celebrating the XV century and portuguese discoveries. Next to it the traditional "pastel de Belem" or custard tarts, served hot with cinammon.

And as someone has mentioned, a few kms from Lisbon there is Sintra which features a moors castle and the romantic palace on top of the hills. Down in the village there is a national palace. This a very romantic place. You can stroll down the hill via lovely gardens. This is also a mystical place with Quinta da Regaleira, which is a masonry mansion where you can go on a guided tour. Thisand Sintra was featured in a Roman Polanski movie, the Ninth Gate.

Lisbon is a sunny place. Full of light.

As for Porto, it is a bit darker, since it is further north. Its architecture is mostly baroque and the town centre is all within a walking distance. The town centre is Unesco Heritage site.The food by river is great either on Porto's side or on the other side of the river. Lots of bars and esplanades to wander the evening away. You can eat for £10 tops with wine. Don't miss Adega Presuntaria Transmontana, which is a restaurant near the river on Gaia's side, where you can try traditional portuguese food.

You can visit the port wine cellars and get a free guided tour in english and try some of the port wine at the end.

If you venture a bit up the river you can visit the slopes of the Douro River and vineyards (and try varieties of red and white wine, as well as Port wine).

Within 50 kms there is Braga (baroque city), Guimaraes (with its castle), Viana do Castelo (near the sea). About 300 kms north in Galiza - Spain you can visit Santiago de Compostela, Pontevedra, Vigo, etc. Still further north, La Coruna. Galiza has great food, since seafood is caught near its coast. The coastline is different from North Portugal and really nice. The architecture is also wonderful.

If you want a "boutique" hotel experience and not pay a lot, do check out www.pousadas.pt and www.parador.es. Both feature passport options (you buy 7 nights at a discounted price and can book them seperately), discounts for younger travelers and older travelers, for families and lastminute offers. Some of these hotels are noblemen houses or palaces. All are in prime locations. For example the Santiago Parador is one of the most expensive ones, but still cheaper than a good britsh hotel, and it is where the Kings of Spain stay when in Santiago, right opposite the cathedral. The food in the Pousadas and Paradores is a bit more expensive than in a restaurant, but well worth for the flavour and presentation. And each hotel will feature a different menu depending on regional delicacies.

If you're flying low-cost, why not start in Lisbon, rent a car, and return via Porto or Santiago?

I know I am Portuguese, and this may affect my judgement, but I have been all over Europe and Portugal is still a cheap country to visit. And with a lot to do and see. Especially if you like good quality food (fresh fish, charcuterie, etc), try Portugal. If you need anything, do let me know by PM and I will try to help you out. I know a lot more about Porto, than I do about Lisbon, which I've visited as a tourist several times, but I can search more info if you require.

It just makes me quite sad that so many people have had bad experiences in my home country...

PS: Lisbon is as dangerous as any European capital. So do take care. But not more than you would in Paris or London. Porto is still safer than your average european town. Given that night life is Portugal (and much more in Spain) goes on until late, you will find people in the street until much later than you would in London. Personally, I know a lot of people who have been robbed in London, even my boyfriend had his wallet taken from his jacket in a london pub, and have never heard of anyone being robbed in Porto.

I'm desparately looig for ANY accommodation near Porto!

There are 6 adults - budget up to £3000 (17th Aug, 2 weeks) and I can't find a single thing. Every owner I email has not updated availability on the various websites.

Getting fed up now!!

aurora_borealis wrote: »

I'm desparately looig for ANY accommodation near Porto!

There are 6 adults - budget up to £3000 (17th Aug, 2 weeks) and I can't find a single thing. Every owner I email has not updated availability on the various websites.

Getting fed up now!!

Just searched your dates for 6 people and got for example:

- if you have a car, this Mercure (as well as a Novotel and an Ibis) is just across the bridge from Porto http://www.accorhotels.com/accorhotels/fichehotel/gb/mer/3347/fiche_situation.shtml 61.29 EUR per night per room, no breakfast

- if you search in Expedia, there is a Vila Gale (4 star) hotel for £88 BB per room per night close to the city centre.

- AC Hotel (4 star brand new), it is a bit off the city centre but next to a overground station and a new shopping centre with lots of good restaurants. It is next to FC Porto stadium. It is £63 BB via expedia.

- via expedia: Quality Inn Praça da Batalha Porto is an older 4 star hotel for £66 BB but this is in the city centre literally.

Hope these suggestions help.

PS: Don't forget quidco!!!