virginiafish

We are combining some wonderful ideas from this forum. We are flying in and out of Lisbon, going to the Algarve region of Portugal, over to Seville, and back up to Lisbon through Evora. We have 2 weeks, starting Feb. 28th. Any suggestions for itinerary, accommodations, restaurants will be gratefully appreciated.

Maribel

For Sevilla,
anything that my friend, Azahar (Shawn Hennessey) gives her highest rating (5 oranges) to--her suggestions are my Bible. So her 5 oranges go to
La Azotea & Eslava in San Lorenzo,
La Atrayana, La Alfarería 21 & La Lola in Triana, Attune Zahara, Vinería San Telmo and Casa Román in Santa Cruz
Bodeguita Romero and Casa Morales in El Arenal
https://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletapas/

For Lisbon--these are mostly contemporary tascas/tabernas or modern Portuguese bistrots, with 1 stellar seafood house
Bomjardim (for the best piri piri chicken ever!) near Rossio
https://www.fodors.com/world/europe/...njardim-595141
Taberna Rua das Flores (no reservations--Portuguese comfort food, tiny) in Chiado
https://tberna.com
Cervejaria Ramiro (shellfish only) in Intendente (take a taxi--can now reserve online)
https://www.cervejariaramiro.com/?lang=en
Prado near the Sé/Cathedral
https://pradorestaurante.com
Taberna Moderna also near Sé/Cathedral
https://tabernamoderna.com/pt-pt/. (maitaitom swears by their gin tonics!)
O Frade in Belém (fantastic food from the Alentejo, counter seating to watch young chefs in action, reservations required)
https://www.thefork.com/restaurant/o-frade-r577607
Cantinho de Avillez in Chiado (reservation required), the casual spot by Jose Avillez, one of the country's best chefs
https://www.cantinhodoavillez.pt/pt/
Ibo, interesting cuisine from Goa & Mozambique with lovely river views at Cais do Sodré (bookable on The Fork)
Lisboa a Noite where Bairro Alto meets Chiado, beautiful tiles, in a former stable, romantic
https://www.lisboanoite.com/en/homepage/
A Cozinha-Sr Lisboa on a side street parallel and to the west of Avenida da Liberdade, funky décor, nice petiscos, nice prices
https://www.srlisboa.pt/a-cozinha
Taberna Albricoque, cuisine from Alentejo, near Santa Apolonia rail station
https://tabernaalbricoque.eatbu.com/?lang=en

And check out maitaitom's recent reviews from his TR for Lisbon/Sintra & also progol's for Sintra

For Evora, a gourmet capital
Tabua do Naldo, charming chef, let him create a meal for you
https://pt-br.facebook.com/tabuadonaldo/
Enoteca Cartuxa, for great small plates and wines from Cartuja winery, very popular
https://www.cntraveler.com/restauran...oteca-cartuxaA
Bruxa d'Evora, new
http://www.abruxadeevora.pt/
Taberna Tipica Quarta Feira, recommended by Albegaria do Calvario hotel
https://pt-br.facebook.com/tabernatipicaquartafeira/
Origens, small, open kitchen, noted chef, great wine list
https://origensrestaurante.com

For Lagos, Algarve
things to do by my favorite Portugal blogger
https://juliedawnfox.com/best-things...agos-portugal/
Lagos dining
Tasca do Kiko next to the boatyard for great petiscos (small plates) and wines, good prices
https://www.facebook.com/tascadokiko/

virginiafish

Thank you Maribel, we will be very well satiated! How many days would you suggest in the Evora area? We will be coming from Seville, so thinking 3 nights. And, how many nights in Lisbon? What would you think about staying in Cascais and visiting Lisbon from there?

Maribel

I would do 3 nights in Evora if you have a car to make interesting day trips----the megalithic sites, Monsaraz, Estremoz, all the castles, maybe a cork or winery tour.
I would do 4 minimum, 5 would be better in Lisbon. There's just tons of sightseeing to do in Lisbon. I could stay for a week without running out of things to do, museums to visit.
I wouldn't stay in Cascais as an alternative to Lisbon.
Cascais can be easily done by suburban train (40 minutes) from Lisbon´s Cais do Sodré rail station.

virginiafish

Thank you Maribel! Will keep you all posted. So appreciate all of this help!

virginiafish

Here is our rough itinerary: arrive Lisbon and drive to
Algarve -3 nights
Seville-4 or 5 nights
Evora-3 nights
Lisbon- 3-4 nights
Comments welcomed.

virginiafish

We have pretty much decided on 5 nights in Seville, with day trips. Here is an unusual question--may we be in Portugal and not go to Lisbon?!? Recent reports have suggested crowds, long lines, hills and slippery tiles. We are in fairly good shape, can walk ~6-7 miles on a given day, but have some knee and back issues. What would it be like to leave Evora and take a 4 night loop, ending in Lisbon? Where would we go?

HappyTrvlr

Don’t skip Lisbon! It is a wonderful city to explore.

KarenWoo

I would be surprised if there are lots of tourists in Lisbon in February. You can purchase some tickets in advance online to avoid waiting in line. When we visited Lisbon in 2018, I was 68 and my husband was 71. I had painful arthritis in my hip and a year later I had hip replacement surgery. When we were in Lisbon (a very hilly city), I was able to do a fair amount of walking but we also took taxis which were/are inexpensive. Our strategy was to walk to a site/destination/neighborhood, and then take a taxi back to our hotel. We took a taxi to the Castelo De S. Jorge because I didn't want to walk uphill, and after visiting the Castelo, we explored Alfama on foot. I was able to handle the up and down walking in the Alfama. And then we walked to Mosteiro De Sao Vicente De Fora. And then took a tuk tuk to a restaurant, and then a taxi back to our hotel. I purchased shoes that have good treads from the Walking Company for this trip. Made sure I broke them in first. So if you find you are getting tired, you can rely on inexpensive taxis. Make sure you have good walking shoes.

Whether or not to skip Lisbon is a personal choice. We love Lisbon and I think of our visit there with fondness, and I would love to return some day. Not sure if we will because we like to visit new places, but if we have the time I would definitely like to see Lisbon again. It's a small city so it is manageable.

Maribel

There are many tourists in Lisbon at all times of the year, but February is a "lighter" month. The cruise ships arrive all year long, however. We go in November or March, and while not nearly as crowded as from Holy Week through September, Lisbon is a "hot destination" these days, making many travel magazines' and newspaper articles' "best destination in Europe for 2023" lists. But don't miss it, take extremely comfortable shoes with thick soles for the very slippery-when-wet sidewalks and make use of Uber, taxis, which are cheap, or an occasional tuk-tuk.

And as Karen suggests, get your tickets in advance for the Jerónimos Monastery (now timed tickets are required, and choose the first entrance if you can to avoid the bus groups that arrive around 11 am).

virginiafish

Thank you. We will work on staying in Lisbon at least 3 nights. Will keep you posted and appreciate your help!

KarenWoo

Glad to hear you are still planning on visiting Lisbon. You won't regret it! I assume you probably read about people falling on stairs from MaiTaiTom's TR. It's possible they weren't wearing the right kind of footwear. The right kind of footwear is so important!

virginiafish

I appreciate your thoughts KarenWoo and Maribel. Okey Dokey, I will take my hiking boots and my solid sneakers. Sound good? How about light hiking poles? I have some knee issues and my husband has sciatica, so that's why we are concerned. I also have some good Naots. p.s. we are 73.

KarenWoo

It certainly wouldn't hurt to take light hiking poles. I used them in Plitvice Lakes NP in Croatia. We were there about 3 months after my hip replacement surgery! I just turned 73 this month!

maitaitom

"(maitaitom swears by their gin tonics!)"

... and I would never lie about a gin and tonic. The food was great there, too. Lovely patio dining and inside is pretty cool, too.

virginiafish

We have decided to keep this trip only in Portugal. Will post an updated itinerary soon. Thanks for everyone's help!

virginiafish

Final, revised itinerary:
Lisbon 4 nights Hotel de Baixo
Evora 2 nights ADC
Tomar 2 nights Thomar Boutique Hotel
Coimbra 2 nights Pharmacia Guest House
Guimaraes 3 nights hotel TBD
Lisbon at airport 1 night Star Inn Lisboa

Thanks for all help, advice and trip reports!

xyz99

You're skipping Porto?
I like your itinerary, and loved all the locations. The only one I can't comment about is Guimaraes, so I can't say if to move the 3 nights there to Porto or not. Maybe someone who's been to both will comment.
But Porto was our favorite in Portugal, and it has now a special place in my heart.

Maribel

I do agree with xyz99 about Porto.
I can comment on Guimarães. It's a lovely small city, my favorite in the Minho and UNESCO World Heritage Site with castle, stunning palace, beautiful churches and an excellent religious art museum (see progol's TR and photos), but it might not warrant 3 days.
What you could do is stay in Porto and take a day trip there by bus or train or small group excursion.
But there may be a specific reason why you're skipping Porto (?)

virginiafish

I appreciate your concerns. The reason we were skipping Porto was because of our challenges, and concerns, about climbing/cobblestones, etc. That is not our strong suit, having some knee issues, mostly recovered from a knee and foot fracture, and husband has some back issues. Welcome to some advice, though, and itinerary tweaks. We do tire of multiple churches, though, so...