Headed to PT for the big horse fare--we've been to PT a bunch of times and the car rental always seems to be the only big hassle, sitting at their office in a long line despite a rez, waiting for cars that MIGHT not appear despite having those reservations and wondering if our trip is ruined bc we have deadlines we'll miss bc of it... I've looked more closely into the "best" car rentals, and had btr luck, but even those can be a drag.
What's the story beyond what I'm reading on google/AI about car sharing? Good experiences? We've never used one in the US (home) or anywhere else.

Seems like it could be worth it for all the above reasons, but esp now with all the BS damage-found-long-after-you-return-the-car issues everyone is complaining about.

Thanks for your input!

I want to surprise my Portuguese boyfriend on his birthday in December with a getaway somewhere in Portugal. He is very much into the medieval vibe, and after some research I found a town called Lousã that might have that with some interesting places to stay there. I just wanted to see if anybody might have other suggestions or better ones. We live in Lisbon, and we have a car but we are open to go by train if it's easier.

Flying out of OPO to US (Applies largely to LIS as well)

1. If you have checked bags, Getting to the airport more than 3 hours early is pointless since checkin doesn’t open before that anyways. (Applies to most airports)
2. There was Absolutely no one at EES when we passed through. No one can tell you how long the EES line is going to be. it’s completely dependent on how many international flights are leaving at one time.
3. Be careful at duty free. If you buy wine and you have a layover in America, you need to put that in your checked bags before you re check your luggage. If you don’t have checked bags, don’t buy any liquid at duty free since it will be confiscated when you go through security at your connection. Also, the duty free salesperson insisted that buying a sausage was ok to take back to America. Absolutely no meats of any kind are allowed through customs. So don’t wasted money on that stuff.

I was fully aware of 1 and 2, but the duty free can throw some People off especially when the sales agents are so adamant that you won’t have a problem.

Hi! We’ll be spending 2 nights in the Douro valley with our toddler in November. We’re still deciding on where to stay/what vineyards to visit. Any places you can recommend that are more kid friendly? Thanks!

Hi all! I’m in Coimbra for work until Friday night and can check out Saturday morning then leave for Lisbon. My flight leaves Lisbon at 7am Sunday.

I have one free day in Lisbon on Saturday and don’t know the area. Any tips on:

1. Is a Sintra day trip realistic - I plan to go from coimbra to lisbon, leave my bags in the hotel then go to sintra, come back to lisbon around 4 pm for shopping!
2. Where to buy affordable souvenirs and postcards (and stamps), ideally where locals shop and not tourist traps?
3. Must-try foods and must-buy things?
4. Safe and cheap transport to the airport for a 7am flight sunday morning, and any hostel suggestions near the airport?
5. Anything to be careful about (scams, pickpockets, etc.)?

For anyone looking to discover the true natural beauty of the Algarve, exploring Algar Seco is an absolute must!

It is an incredibly beautiful area just a short distance from Carvoeiro. You'll find an easily accessible boardwalk offering stunning views of the coast and clifftops. If you're feeling adventurous, you can descend some steep steps carved into the cliff and pass through a small tunnel that leads right to the water's edge.

Here, you'll discover 'secret' caves, swimming spots if you're brave, and an almost alien landscape sculpted from the limestone by the ocean.

https://wetravelportugal.com/algar-seco/

Just got back from two weeks island-hopping in the Azores, and it was an incredible trip. Here's a rundown in case it helps anyone planning their own.

Itinerary

About 3 days on each island: São Miguel, Pico, Faial and São Jorge.

What we did

Climbed Mount Pico (with a guide)

Whale watching

Hiking

Road trips with stops at viewpoints

Lots of sunsets

São Miguel tip: the best view over Sete Cidades is from the abandoned hotel (Monte Palace). Access felt pretty safe, and the view is worth it.

Whale watching tip

The best season is May to July. We went outside that window and still saw sperm whales and dolphins, but you'll have better odds in peak season.

Getting around

Flight from São Miguel to Pico, then ferries between Pico, Faial and São Jorge

Rental car on São Miguel, then another one on Pico (we used ferries to move between islands)

Weather

We were really lucky: about 23°C on average and only 3 days of bad weather. Apparently this year's strong El Niño had something to do with it.

Food

Plenty of choice for every budget. Just watch out for a few tourist traps in São Miguel.

Budget

Around €2,000 per person for the 15 days, including flights, ferries, car rental, hotels, restaurants and activities.

Final thoughts

An exceptional trip and a total disconnect from our daily routine. Highly recommended!

Happy to answer any questions in the comments.

Hey everyone!

I’ll be headed to Portugal pretty soon here and these r the days im in each location

Lisbon 4 days

Lagos 2 days

Porto 4 days

Madeira 5 days

Anyone have any recommendations or local spots rhat are a must visit in these areas?

Also should I bring shorts? I know this is the rainy/cold szn so I’m not sure if it’s worth packing any.

All opinions/recommendations are appreciated!

I had reserved a small car with them from Lisbon airport for couple of days with an additional driver. I a had also taken comprehensive insurance. (Top one on their list) for avoiding additional hassle.

The additional driver was just incase the main driver had any issues and not a full time.

Landed at the airport and went to the Sixt counter. They tried to upsell to an SUV with only like €10 extra on the overall bill. He cited nice car, carplay etc. I was Okay with that part. He then took my licence ID card alone and added it to the system. About the additional driver the person at the counter said, since you guys are together you can just change and drive when needed.

The chap also said only one suitcase can be added etc. so basically unethical and shady tactics. I was tired after a long flight and wasn't thinking straight and agreed thinking this might be normal in Portugal.

I went to my hotel and looked at the rental agreement, realized the he hasn't added the additional driver on the actual invoice. So basically a bait and switch to make it seem like a good deal when actually it wasn't. Fortunately at no point had I ever let the additional driver drive the car.

My kids are great travellers and already have been to Europe for extended visits.

Ages 7/5/2.

We have 13 nights in March 2027 and will fly into Lisbon. So my questions are:
- Lisbon for how many nights is right? We’ll go slower than adults of course, so if it’s usually 3 days, we’d do it in 4.
- should be head north to Porto, or South to Lagos?

We’re up for day trips too, it timing and opportunity allow. Since both are opposite directions and we’ll fly home from Lisbon, my thought is pick one and stay longer and use it for a couple day trips.

Would appreciate feedback specific to those with young kids, and specific to that timing if March 2027. Thanks!

I will be staying in Lisbon for a couple of days with 4 or 5 travelers. We are planning on making a day trip to Nazare. What are some pit stops along the way that we could make? Obidos, São Martinho do Porto, Peniche and the Alcobaça Monastery were some the came up while researching. Anything historical is great. Or food suggestions along the way. Thank you!

Hi everyone!
My friends and I are planning to walk the Camino Portugués Coastal from Porto to Santiago de Compostela, and we would really appreciate some advice from people who have already done this route.
We are three girls, and this would be our first Camino, so we’re trying to plan everything properly while keeping the trip as budget-friendly as possible.
A few questions:
🧿How many days would you recommend for Porto → Santiago?
🧿Is the Coastal Route difficult for beginners?
🧿How much money should we realistically budget per person for the whole Camino, excluding flights?
🧿What are the best ways to save money on accommodation and food?
🧿Are there cheap albergues along the route, and do we need to book them in advance?
🧿Is it cheaper to stay in municipal albergues or private ones?
🧿Can we easily buy food in supermarkets and prepare our own meals?
🧿How much cash should we carry, and are cards accepted in most places?
🧿Is it worth paying for luggage transfer, or is it better to carry everything ourselves?
🧿Are there any parts of the route where we should be especially careful or avoid walking alone?
🧿We would also love to swim in the ocean during the trip. Are there safe beaches along the route where you would recommend swimming?
We’re coming from Ukraine, so we’ll probably travel to Portugal through Poland and fly to Porto.
If you have any tips for saving money, packing, choosing accommodation, food, transportation, or anything you wish you had known before your first Camino, I’d be very grateful!
Thank you! 🌊🇵🇹🇪🇸

Hi everyone! 😊🌿
I’m a Spanish girl travelling solo around the Azores, and I’ll be visiting Terceira from October 16th to 19th!
I’d love to meet fellow travellers or locals to explore the island, discover beautiful places, grab a coffee, try some local food, or simply enjoy a drink together! 🍷✨
I’m also thinking about going out in Angra do Heroísmo on Saturday evening, so if anyone feels like joining me, that would be great!
I speak Spanish and English, so communication won’t be a problem! 😄
I love travelling solo, but I also believe some experiences are even better when shared.
Feel free to leave a comment or send me a message!
See you in Terceira! 💚🌊

Hi! Visiting for 4 days and staying at the Neya Porto. Would love to explore local neighbourhoods and check out what locals eat. Happy to travel! Also, places to recommend for oysters and sea urchin apart from bolhao market? Preferably somewhere local too. Thanks so much

I am hoping folks can share their favorite places for traditional Portuguese food in Porto, and specifically also any information about whether such places are likely to be closed during the holidays? I found out Rogerio de Redondo for instance is closed the whole week from 12/24-1/2. Thank you!

Will be in Portugal the end of January. Considering Lagos for a couple of days. Noticed a kayaking company is closed the end of January. Everybody needs a break, Is this typical of commercial establishments in Portugal?

Hey everyone,

I'll be in the Algarve for 2 days, and would appreciate some recs for restaurants with authentic food from the area. I'm a college student, so definitely not looking for anything too expensive. What are the foods I need to try, and where can I find them best? I'm staying in Lagos, so anything west of Albufeira would be best. Thank you all!

Hi all! I'm planning my first solo trip to Portugal late Nov. I want to do a skillcation (go with the intent to learn something new). Anyone have any tips on what I can do, where to go, and how I can make the most out of this trip? More niche the better! I'm in my early 20s so advice on solo traveling is also welcome. Thanks!

Looking for recommendations on towns / villages / cities to visit in early November. Will be in Lisbon and Sintra for the first half of the trip, and have about 5 days and looking for recommendations on where to do. I’d like to stay in one spot for this time (max 2) to use as a home base to explore.
Is it worth going down to the algarve? Looking at Lagos or tavira. The last time I was in Portugal was 15 years ago and went to peniche, Obidos, evora, setubal, sagres. It will be a very different trip now with a baby!

Someone on the street offered cocaine, which I accepted, which after googling I realize is stupid, apparently the street sellers are selling fake drugs.

Anyway, we agreed upon a gram for 50 euros. I followed him to retrieve the cocaine, and I saw him pour it out, id say it was less than a gram of whatever the substance is. Then we walked to a cash point, once I had the cash he pointed to another guy to give the cash to, at which point he walked away.

I handed it to the new guy, who then asked to inspect the bag I'd been given. He inspected it, then claimed he'd given me 4g due to not speaking any English, and I now owed them 200 euros. He said I couldn't just get my money back because the bag had been opened.

Another two guys appeared, and their threats got progressively worse, they said they had a knife, were going to stab me, started yanking my shirt as I walked away. I just continued walking and eventually they cleared off.

It was very clearly a rehearsed set up, I'm just wondering if this is a common scam?

Trying to get from Sintra to Porto. What’s the best option? Would taking the train from Lisbon to Porto be best? Are the trains reliable? Thank you.

Has anybody stayed here? Looking for new year with 2 kids (5 and 10)
If yes: is it still things to do in winter? Are the domes warm enough?

https://wecamp.net/en/locations/reserva-alecrim/accommodations/domo-house-duplex

Thanks!

Hello everyone. My wife and I (late 20s) are headed to Portugal next month and still haven’t booked our final stay as we are tied up at where to end it.

We are spending three nights in Porto, three in Lisbon, and are looking to end it with two nights in the Algarve area. The two cities that stuck out to us are Lagos and Carvoeiro.

I think by that point we will just want to chill, eat and drink haha. With that being said, which would you all choose? Thanks :)

Hello,

I am travelling to Portugal for my birthday late Oct/Early Nov and want to spend some time in Pinhão wine tasting. I have the below itinerary, but wanted to check here if these are good wineries and the list
makes sense! We are both quite fit and don’t mind a good walk, even if it’s uphill, and it won’t be too hot at the time of year. We would book uber/ grab a taxi locally unless they must be pre booked.

Friday- Train from Porto to Pinhão

Quinta do Bomfim in Pinhão straight off the train, a short walk from the station.
Taxi to Morgadio da Calcada, stay one night, and do the wine-paired dinner there.

Sat
Quinta de la Rosa: taxi there from Morgadio for lunch and a tasting, then walk into Pinhão and drop our bags (we will stay centrally in Pinhão this evening)

Dois Lagares (Quinta de Santo António): about a 15-20 minute uphill walk from the centre, for a vineyard tour and tasting.
Quinta das Carvalhas: finish across the bridge with wines by the glass and cheese at their wine shop.
Dinner in Pinhão.

**Sun:**morning train to Porto.