Portugal in June

[The39thStep]

Check out the toll roads. The system in Portugal is not obvious. There's not always pay booths, it's not only motorways. I had an automatic reader and direct debit so don't know how visitors or car renters do ithe.

I think you can buy a top up or deposit system online

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Cheers. We'll likely drive up the coastal roads anyway rather than the motorway so Nazare won't be a problem. Have booked a night in Aveiro though. What areas should we look to stay in, in Lisbon?

In Lisbon, I can recommend Lisbon Check-In Guesthouse - Lisbon - Portugal – Lisbon Check-In Guesthouse – Lisbon – Portugal not just because they have given me work, and been very good to me, but also, because it is exceptionally good value, easy for parking (underground car park literally over the road), and no problem to drive to avoiding the heart of the congestion, yet close enough to the city to walk to the best areas. It is located in Estrella barrio at the end of Rua Sao Paulo. The building doesn't impress from the outside, but the rooms are excellent++. Sao Paulo offers plenty of alternative and trendy bars, excellent eateries and is just a hop from the river, or a 15 minute slow hike uphill into barrio Alto and the heart of party Lisbon. It is on a tourist tram line also. Very good value for where it is and the quality of accommodation.

The 'historic/tourist' centre of Lisbon is quite compact - One hour stroll East to West, or North to South. However, it is very hilly, so a day pass for trams, elevators, metro and buses is worth the cash to save time.

I would say avoid city centre hotels simply because traffic can be a nightmare and policia traffico can get very attentive. Lisbon was not built for cars, motorcycles, or bicycles - it was built for trams and adapted to one of the best metros I have ever known. Any hotel close to a metro station, but far enough away from the centre would be good. West side of the city gets less traffic and is easiest to get to in a car anytime.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Have to add...

For the city it is, car traffic is actually managed exceptionally well. If a tram track gets blocked, then obviously EVERYTHING comes to a standstill. Other than that, given the road layout was designed and built over 200 years ago, they do pretty good for a city of the size. But, hey - modern cars in old cities. Just don't work does it.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

...Nazare won't be a problem...

You will enjoy Aveiro. I guarantee it.

....

Nazare. I still don't understand why I like this place so much. When I talk to Portuguese (and Spanish) people about Nazare a huge smile appears on their faces. I've just enjoyed a well earned day off. Walking all around the periphery of the town. Loving watching the storms move in from the Atlantic horizon this morning. Basking in a hazy sun from a high mirador this afternoon. Even all the stray dogs here are as happy and content as can be. The ocean was calm today despite the storms and the beautiful rain. The waves with the tide are just beginning to grow almighty huge.

Whenever I talk enthusiastically about the place with people who have never visited, I find myself trying to play it down a little just in case they don't get what I get and don't even understand myself.

However, I fucking well love the place. I shall do a full photo-story for my blog soon and probably put it here. In the meantime... the view from me (on my sub €100 smartphone) on a day off supping and a toking this morning




Beautiful serene.

 

[Spymaster]

Cheers for these, Stan.

I've booked the Lisbon Check In Guesthouse and Hotel Aveiro Palace

 

[Riklet]

Fab time, June. Well aside from some of the wilder and windier places, might need a bit of luck on your side.

Should be fairly hot and sunny and pleasant though. And I'll be much less busy and probably less expensive than July and August.

Def worth exploring the interior away from the coast too, btw. Night in Sintra might be great btw - enjoy the place to yourself almost when all the buses and tour-groups have left. Way more chilled and maybe even a bit romantic nice forest walks too.

 

[Spymaster]

Cheers. All booked and sorted now.