Portugal - Lisbon, Sintra and Algarve
Posted by Ariadna . on Saturday, May 18, 2013
A relaxing escape, magnificent beaches and wondrous palaces - enjoy this experience from spring to autumn.
Day one
-arrive in Lisbon airport in the morning
-rent a car from the airport
-drive 300km (about 2.5 hours) to reach the town of Lagos, on the Algarve coast - map 1
- you will cross Vasco da Gamma bridge, the longest in Europe - make a stop for a photo
-check in your Lagos accommodation (I recommend XYZ)
-spend the evening on the beach to rest after the long trip

Day two
-enjoy the wonderful beaches in the area and the view from atop the cliffs (I recommend Praia Donna Ana)
-accommodation in Lagos

Day three
-drive 22km (about 25 minutes) to Portimao
-today you will take a cruise on a sail ship to search for marine life and explore the Carvoeiro caves (ship Santa Bernarda)
-accommodation in Lagos

Day four
-enjoy the wonderful beaches in the area and the view from atop the cliffs (I recommend Camilo beach)
-accommodation in Lagos

Day five
-enjoy the wonderful beaches in the area for this last day on the coast
-accommodation in Lagos

Day six
-return to Lisbon - drive 300km (about 2.5 hours)
- cross Ponte 25 de Abril bridge
-visit: Belem Tower, Padrao dos Descobrimentos monument, Bairo Alto area
-accommodation in Lisbon

Day seven
-drive 27km (about 20 minutes) to Sintra
-visit: Quinta da Regaleira (palace and gardens), Monserrate Palace, Pena National Palce (just exterior)
-accommodation in Lisbon

Day eight
-visit: the National Pantheon, Praca do Comercio
-catch an evening flight back home

Useful Info:
Opening times for Palaces in Sintra:
-Monserrate -
23 March to 25 October
Park - 9.30am to 8pm - last ticket at 7pm
Palace- 9.30am to 7pm - last ticket at 6.15pm
-Pena-
Exterior 09:45-19:30
-Quinta da regaleira-
Open 10am-8pm
The right to visit Quinta da Regaleira and take part in its leisure-related and cultural pursuits is subject to advance approval and payment of the current entrance charges.
Young people under fifteen must be accompanied by an adult.