Portugal other than the Algarve

Longtimecaravanner
Longtimecaravanner Forum Participant Posts: 642
edited August 2019 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

We are heading to Portugal at the end of October for six weeks to look at some of its history and scenery. Planning to go to Porto, meander down to Lisbon and then over to Evora. On another forum I asked for any tips and got very little, searching on another one there didn't seem to be much other than on the Algarve, where if we have time we might end up for a week. Is it that Portugal doesn't feature much on the caravan/motorhome route or no body has asked the question?

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  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,829 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2019 #2

    It sounds a great trip Jenny.  A company called West Coast Campers, who hire vehicles from a base in Porto,  have a really informative website with ideas of where to go and what to see.  Go well. Take care. 

  • Unknown
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    edited August 2019 #3
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  • JimE
    JimE Club Member Posts: 353 ✭
    100 Comments Photogenic
    edited August 2019 #4

    There's lots to see north of Porto too.  I stayed just outside Viana do Castelo (admittedly in an hotel) and hired a car for 2 weeks.  Lots to see around Ponte de Lima (superb country market and Roman bridge and Vinho Verde country), Valenca (fortress and eateries) and all along the atlantic coast (estuary bridges built by Eifel).

    Hope to revisit that area in our MH before too long.

  • Longtimecaravanner
    Longtimecaravanner Forum Participant Posts: 642
    edited August 2019 #5

    Thank you gentlemen. The West Coast Camper site looks just what I was looking for and thank you David, I had picked up camping Alentejo from somewhere but didn't know about the other two towns nearby. I am glad of your assurance that Lagos and west is not built up. Food for thought in your recommendations too Jim thank you.

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2019 #6

    Hi Jenny, a few years ago (on our aborted trip to Spain) we visited Tomar a lovely medieval town. 

    I got the information from RoyandSharons stories,  hopefully they will still be available to read.

    We also went to Porto but unfortunately it was at a time of something going on in the city and it was impossible to get in and out so abandoned it. Sites for Porto may be dificult at that time of year. We were there in May and some were only just opening up

    Enjoy your trip looking foward to reading about itsmile.

  • Longtimecaravanner
    Longtimecaravanner Forum Participant Posts: 642
    edited August 2019 #7

    Streuth June, the club doesn't believe in making it easy does it? Roy and Sharon have posted 108 stories and they come up three at a time then you have to click on show more for another three. If you stop to look at one it then kicks you back to the beginning again. I have had five goes so far and lost the will to look. I see they do post on Instagram but I don't have an Instagram account. Thanks for the suggestion. I might try again later.

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2019 #8

    Apologies Jenny haven't looked for stories for awhile and didn't realise how bad it has got to find something. 

    However I did find a work around and this is the postcard that Royand Sharon posted about Tomar.

    https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/club-together/your-stories/royandsharont/post-it-from-municipal-campsite-tomar-santares-portugal-sunday-25th-may-2014/

    Hope the link works.

    I believe Coimbra is a nice place to visit.

     

    EDIT, hey what do you know I've finally manged to get a link to work smile

     

  • Longtimecaravanner
    Longtimecaravanner Forum Participant Posts: 642
    edited August 2019 #9

    Thanks June that made really interesting reading and I will persevere to read the rest of their blogs from 2014.

  • SeasideBill
    SeasideBill Forum Participant Posts: 2,112
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    edited August 2019 #10

    Don’t miss Porto, the most interesting place we visited in Portugal - much better than Lisbon. If you can, visit the riverside area by the Luis bridge on a Sunday afternoon when both sides of the river will be busy with locals and tourists alike - great atmosphere. Loads of places to shop, eat, drink and plenty of street entertainment plus tasting in the port lodges of course. I’m not sure I’d use an aire in this part of Portugal though, indeed we were warned off using motorhome stopovers in the local area. We stayed outside the city at Vila Cha and used the excellent tram service into the city centre. As already mentioned, Elvora is worth a visiting and we liked the Orbitor site there.

    Further north, we liked Parque de Campismo do Paço at Vila Praia de Âncora. It’s a nice little town by a huge, wild beach. The campsite is within walking distance of both.

    Toll system can be complex, worth doing your homework before you go.

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,402 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2019 #11

    Interesting posts - we're off to Portugal at the end of next month (not in the van though! wink).

    Lisbon, Coimbra and Porto are all part of the itinerary - really looking forward to it! smile

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,387 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2019 #12

    A while since we  have been but my notes on our trips are at http://www.wheelgotravelling.info/CaravanTravels_Portugal.html

    peedee

  • Unknown
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    edited August 2019 #13
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  • Longtimecaravanner
    Longtimecaravanner Forum Participant Posts: 642
    edited August 2019 #14

    Thanks Peedee I have had your Spain and Portugal blogs bookmarked for some time, probably since we went to Spain in 2017.

  • Longtimecaravanner
    Longtimecaravanner Forum Participant Posts: 642
    edited August 2019 #15

    It had occurred to me David that going in November we won't get those lovely discounts that Spain gave to EU over 60sfrown I didn't know that Portugal gave them as well.

  • Unknown
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    edited August 2019 #16
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  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited August 2019 #17

    Way back in 2014 we posted a story Postcard from Coimbra which may be of fleeting interest. If you visit the city on the bus from the campsite, make sure you know where to get the bus back! It's not where you got off.

    Unfortunately, all the photos bar one were wiped out during the 'Great CT Update'. Here's some anyway.

     

  • Longtimecaravanner
    Longtimecaravanner Forum Participant Posts: 642
    edited August 2019 #18

    Thank you Chasncath I have added Coinbra to my list of sites to stay at with the advice about the bus stop. Seeing you eating your ice creams, that is what our pocket money gets spent on. Rarely the superb cakes that are about but if there are ice cream sundaes on offer we are there.

  • twotwitchers
    twotwitchers Forum Participant Posts: 37
    edited September 2019 #19

    We visited a couple of years ago - Coimbra was really nice, the university library and old town, Porto is a must. Don't forget the pilgrimage sites of Fatima and Bom Jesus, you don't need to be Catholic to appreciate them! Aveiro was a nice little town, canals and near the sea, we stayed at a site near Praia da Mira, lovely striped fisherman's cottages.We also visited Barcelos, where the story of the colourful cockerel came from, there were huge cockerels around the town and some nice painted ones to buy. Believe it or not we didn't use the toll roads at all, we set our satnav to avoid them!  Photos are Porto railway station, Barcelos and Bom Jesus

  • DougS
    DougS Forum Participant Posts: 327
    edited September 2019 #20

    Consider Obidos, interesting (Foz do Arelho site) and Caminha (Northern border)

  • LynniB
    LynniB Forum Participant Posts: 32
    edited September 2019 #21

    In 2015 we spent three months touring in Spain and Portugal.  The latter was very interesting since we got away from the popular package tour destinations like the Algarve and the cities.

    We stayed at Tomar which has been mentioned and was a good base for exploring, such as Batalha.  Another stop was a site near Satao called Chave Grande from which we visited the Douro valley.  The site was my favourite in Portugal, being run by a lovely couple who organised camp get togethers with food.  It’s a bit remote but tradesmen call on site selling basics.  The baker was a character and always beamed as he wished you ‘Bom dia.’  

    Have a great trip.

  • redface
    redface Forum Participant Posts: 1,701
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2019 #22

    Wherever you go in Portugal the coastal scenery is stunning - even in the Algarve.

    From Albufeira, for example, there are many coves and beaches up and down the coast to delight.

    History - I do not know, but the people are warm, friendly and generous. I just wish I could get back there.

    Enjoy your trip, I am envious of you.

     

  • Longtimecaravanner
    Longtimecaravanner Forum Participant Posts: 642
    edited September 2019 #23

    Sadly the site you mention closes at the end of October but if you have any further suggestions based on your trip I would be grateful.

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