Portugal in August

[Anonymous]

My family would like to go to Portugal for a week this August (yes, I know we are late to book - this is our usual timing for summer travel and we can usually work it out because we're not picky). Mom, dad, 2 teens (older is going to be a senior in HS).

I know it will be hot in Portugal and I know many people recommend the Algarve area, but from my reading it seems mostly a beach scene (albeit a gorgeous one - those cliffs!). I'm not inclined to use our week at the beach, as we could do that in the U.S. (and will have done it locally in July).

So I'm looking for recommendations for where to go in August other than just Lisbon. Is Porto worth a visit? Am I nuts for thinking of doing 2 cities in late August, instead of a cooler seaside area? I'm open to beach areas with things to do other than the beach, or anything else, really.

Thanks for any advice.

[Anonymous]

Make sure your rental has AC. A lot don’t have it.

[Anonymous]

I, and most of my friends who have been, preferred Porto to Lisbon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I, and most of my friends who have been, preferred Porto to Lisbon.

So would you skip Lisbon? What itinerary do you suggest?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I, and most of my friends who have been, preferred Porto to Lisbon.

Agree

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I, and most of my friends who have been, preferred Porto to Lisbon.

So would you skip Lisbon? What itinerary do you suggest?

A few must-do's:

Tangerine mist at La Pantera
Stampmaking lesson at Caldo's
Midnight coin toss at Los Esceulos
Walking along La Promenade in the morning
Nightcap at Baxter Bigby's

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I, and most of my friends who have been, preferred Porto to Lisbon.

I think it's "most of my friends and I "

Lisbon over Porto every day

[Anonymous]

Lisbon has a lot more to do than Porto. Both charming but personally I would not skip Lisbon.

[Anonymous]

You could day trip or overnight at Sintra or Cascais. Both are really cute and give you a different feel from Lisbon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I, and most of my friends who have been, preferred Porto to Lisbon.

Porto is beyond mobbed and really nothing of note to see. Like 30 minutes to see a bakery. It’s beautiful. Try Coimbra for a similar feel. Alentejo has incredible pensão s but it will be scorching hot. Algarve is full of European tourists in August too.

[Anonymous]

I did Lisbon and the Algarve (2 wks) with teens a few years ago. We only visited the beach once while in Algarve. We stayed in Albufeira but if I went back, I'd stay in one of the smaller towns (Lagos, Burgau, Carvoeiro). It's also easy to do a few days in Lisbon and a few days in the Cascais area. From there you can easily access Sintra and Estoril (which has a supercool outdoor evening market with food stalls, vintage stuff, new stuff, clothing, jewelry, etc. and music in the Jardim). We absolutely loved Portugal and would go back every year. Also would choose the beaches there over Bethany, etc. any day.

[Anonymous]

We went in June a few years back, don’t miss a day trip to Sintra (magical). If you go south to the Algaeve, the sea is freezing cold .. like freezing. Gorgeous views but not really swimmable. Go north to Porto. Either way August is going to be brutally hot so prepare accordingly

[Anonymous]

Portugal isn't that big. Consider neighboring parts of Spain as possibilities as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I, and most of my friends who have been, preferred Porto to Lisbon.

I think it's "most of my friends and I "

Lisbon over Porto every day

I think it's "I, Aloysius, Horatio, and most of the chaps down Soho Street, preferred Porto to Lisbon."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Portugal isn't that big. Consider neighboring parts of Spain as possibilities as well.

There is more than plenty to see in Portugal for a week.