Porto or Lisbon?

[Q.]

Porto or Lisbon?

If you could only choose one to go see, which would it be?

[devilsadvocate]

Lisbon. Porto is beautiful but Lisbon just has more to offer IMO.

[redandblack]

What a tough call, but I'd agree with da, but only just.

The more you see of Porto, the more you like it. The River Douro offers heaps of attractions, there's the beaches and the city is fantastic.

Lisbon has so many interesting places close by and is wonderfully scenic and interesting.

I'd choose Lisbon too, but since it's only a couple of months since I've got back from there, anywhere in Portugal is fine by me.

I'll put up a pic or two of Lisbon tonight.

[Q.]

How does Lisbon compare to other major capital cities in Europe?

As you would already know R&B, I'm doing some scouting for my partner. Given she's not a huge fan of bustling big cities, I reckon Porto and it's surrounds would be up her alley.

[devilsadvocate]

How does Lisbon compare to other major capital cities in Europe?

As you would already know R&B, I'm doing some scouting for my partner. Given she's not a huge fan of bustling big cities, I reckon Porto and it's surrounds would be up her alley.

Lisbon kicks the pants off them IMO.

It doesn't have a glass/steel lego jungle like most cities. In fact a lot of the city has delapidated, run down shanties. But that's the appeal. It has some spectacular architecture. The smooth stone paved streets are endless miles of artwork, with patterned sidewalks adding stacks of character.

The cable cars and 1925 bridge hold major resemblences to San Francisco.

The highlight for me though was the hospitality. We stayed in a couple of hostels that were dirt cheap. Like 25 Euros per night including brekky. One, in the centre of Lisbon, was run by this really friendly Portuguese lady who had converted one floor of a building into a hostel.

We ate in loads of small little sidewalk cafes and also some sidestreet cafes where people had literally knocked their living room wall out and were serving food. Salted, smoked pilchards and a Sagres was the greatest way to relax after a day trekking around the city. I reckon the best meal I had in Europe was in a small cafe. Grilled salmon withgarlic roasted chips and an awesome salad - all for 7 euros!

Honestly, Lisbon and Portugal in general is so underrated it's not funny. But I guess we shouldn't tell too many people!

[Q.]

So, it's yet to be consumed by umm, consumerism

[devilsadvocate]

So, it's yet to be consumed by umm, consumerism

Yep.

Bit like cuba. Would be amazing to go now before the inevitable Seppo vomit fest of maccas, starbucks, subway, holiday inn on every bloody corner.

[redandblack]

da x 2 regards Portugal.

I've been flat chat, but I'll put up a few pics of Lisbon tomorrow. It's just a great unheralded city.

I stayed up on the hill, just outside the castle walls in the Alfama district. Character plus.

Quichey, neither are bustling cities, but Porto is more crammed into a tight area than Lisbon, so I'd also go to Lisbon after thinking about it more.

Go to a Fado show as well.

[redandblack]

Let's see if we can get you interested in Lisbon, Quichey

One at a time.



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Monument to the Discoveries, on the waterfront of the Tagus River.

[redandblack]

Central Lisbon hillside.

[redandblack]

Looking towards the Alfama district - a maze of medieval alleyways.

[Q.]

Don't reckon I need to much convincing - would love to spend to or three weeks cruising through Portugal. My partner, however, will get the chance later this year though - hopefully she has enough time to see both Lisbon and Porto as it seems it would be unfortunate to miss out on one or the other.

Nice photos BTW, especially that last one.

[Q.]

Anyone caught a train from Lisbon to Seville?

[Q.]

Anyone caught a train from Lisbon to Seville?

Just found out there is no train between the two

[devilsadvocate]

Anyone caught a train from Lisbon to Seville?

Just found out there is no train between the two

There is via Madrid!

I caught an overnight sleeper train from Lisbon to Madrid (didn't get a cabin, but a seat - NOT COOL!!). Then after a couple of days, caught the train from Madrid to Seville. No reason why you couldn;t do the two in one hit, but I think you'd have to change station and the trip from Lisbon to Madrid is SSSSSLOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWW going.

[Q.]

Slow you say. Might be quicker to get a bus direct

My partner has been to Madrid so wouldn't want to waste a day or two there.

[Q.]

What's the best mode of transport for travelling between cities in Portugal?

[redandblack]

Depends which cities. If they're connected by rail (as per Porto and Lisbon), go that way.

The Bus service is extensive, cheap and very good. The distances aren't great at all. I went by both train and bus (as well as driving) in May and she'll have no trouble at all.

The best site for train times is the German Rail site - Die Bahn

The following is an example of Lisbon to Porto.

http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query. ... 1&OK#focus

Different bus companies cover different areas.

[Q.]

Thanks mate.

[devilsadvocate]

Agree totally with rnb.

However, if you want to go from Lisbon to the Algarve, I'd suggest hiring a car.