8 days in Portugal

<p>Hi my wife and I are going to Portugal in late June. We will be based in Lisbon for most of the trip. We have identified a few places we would like to see. Sintra, Obido, Porto, and the Algarve area(probably a couple of days). It should allow us to get a wide range of photography in from gritty street shots to beautiful beaches. I am curious though if that sounds like a realistic plan or if we are trying to see too much, it would be nice to have a day or two to just relax. I have done a fair amount of research but always nice hear the experiences of PN. Thank you in advance.</p>

<p>How long with you be there? You say you'll be based in Lisbon for "most of the trip" so I'm guessing you'll be there for at least a couple of weeks. If it is only two weeks, you might be pushing it. I would pick two places other than Lisbon and concentrate on them. The three locations could fill three weeks, but if you really want, and you have an extra week, why not stop at the other two for a couple of days each?<br>

-<br>

I would try to spend most of my time in the Algarve area myself. I've found spending time traveling is not very productive. You'd probably do much better to go to a location and concentrate on getting a good shot of it. Try identifying five locations in each place you want to visit, and spend a day shooting each location. As you may know, some professional landscape photographers will spend an entire trip (a week or two) shooting one location.<br>

-<br>

http://www.worldphotolocations.com/locationindex.phtml?country_id=1070725156682<br>

-<br>

Good luck on your trip Darin. By the way, did you ever find a good ball head? Did you check out the hydrostatic heads by Bogen and National Geographic? They grip like Titans! These are my favorites:<br>

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/368214-REG/Manfrotto_468MG_468MG_Magnesium_Hydrostatic_Ballhead.html<br>

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/368324-REG/Manfrotto_468MGRC0_468MGRC0_Hydrostatic_Ballhead_with.html</p>

<p>For me, June is the best time of the year to visit Portugal. It already feels like summer, but without the crowds everywhere, and there are a lot of festivities going on (mostly mid-june), specially in Lisbon. The public transports in the Lisbon and Porto areas are very good, and you will have no trouble going from Lisbon to Sintra and Porto by train. To visit Algarve, though, you may be better off renting a car. <br>

In whatever manner, 8 days to go from Lisbon to Porto, then all the way back south to Algarve, and then back to Lisbon (to catch the flight, right?) seems a bit too tight to me. In my view, it would be more realistic to go to Lisbon and then choose either North or South. If you prefer visiting more historical/medieval villages, then head to North (Óbidos, Guimarães, Porto, etc.). You may even try a 1-day cruise through the Douro river valley (from whose vineards comes the famous Porto Wine) or, if you are feeling more adventurous, try an excursion to the Peneda-Gerês National Park. If, however, you are looking for the sea, sun and a warmer weather (and are OK with renting a car), then the Algarve region will surely not disappoint you. Both choices are excellent and I'm pretty sure you will have a wonderful time either way.<br>

Finally, let me just say that there will be a lot of available light, so I would not bother bringing more than a (trans-)standard zoom and, maybe, an extra small prime for the indoors (churches, museums, etc.) :-)<br>

Have a nice trip and enjoy your vacation!</p>

<p>Lisbon is great! After we saw the sights around Lisbon we took a bus to Evora and just loved it! From Evora we took a bus southern Spain.<br>

I used a 21mm and a 28mm on a Leica mostly. The 50mm got some use as did my 90mm. But the wide angles are really needed most of the time.</p>

<p>I agree with Anthony, you should not miss Evora and of course also Porto and the Douro valey as mentioned by Paulo. It is a beautiful country with a very rich history and lots of opportunities for photographic adventures. Lisbon demands at least 2-3 days according to my experiences.</p>

<p>Thank you for the responses. I thought we might be trying to fit a little too much in. We will probably focus more on Lisbon and the North. I had considered the Algarve strictly because of the stunning beaches, not so much because I want to lay around on one. I am sure we won't get everything in that we would like but 8 days is what we have so that will have to do this time around. I plan on taking my D200 with a 12-24 and either the 55 or 105 micro for digital and my 500 c/m with a 50 and 100 for film. I would venture the 12-24 and the 100mm will see the bulk of the work. I will check into Evora and the Douro valley, thanks again for the advice. Scott I did indeed find my ball head. I got a Gitzo 1277, I love the simplicity of it and it holds everything I have with ease. I had looked at and was considering the hydro's but lucked into a great deal on the 1277. It is well made and will last quite some time. Well thanks again everyone, your comments are much appreciated.</p>

<p>I enjoyed Coimbra a lot and there is a cloister with a calvare on a hill a bit outside the city. Can't remember the name. Also very scenic is the national park near the northern border to Spain, near Braga.</p>

<p>By the way Darin, don't forget that Portugal is wave of widespread strikes, demonstrations and other actions because of the political and economic mess of the country. When you arrive, you need to plan well keep an eye on the news not to get stuck somewhere. They are up for new elections after the Government withdrew, because of lack of majority for the austerity package.</p>

<p>Don't skip Sintra, it is a stunning place!</p>

<p>Thank you Anders, yes we are aware that there are some issues in portugal right now. Obviously safety is a concern for everyone when traveling. We will keep an eye on it but I think we will be fine. Arthur, Sintra is pretty high on the priority list. It seems to be a stunning city with incredible beaches to photograph and old world grit and charm all rolled into one. If it is what I think it is, we will probably do a couple of day trips there. It is a shame we don't have more time but it is difficult to get away even that long at work, unlike my wife who works in the school system and gets summers off. Stefan, Coimbra looks interesting as well. From what I have seen, I don't think we will be disappointed by the places we are considering. I know theft is a big issue in Rome but how is it in Portugal. Did anyone have any issues with camera security? A hassy on a tripod does standout a bit. </p>

<p>Had a great time there three years back - http://www.flickr.com/photos/yellowrhino/sets/72157607010591625/</p>

<p>I visited Portugal for 10 days in late November 2010. Loved it! I only rain once and it was in the 50 degree sunny days for this New Yorker, but cold weather for the locals. It was my second trip to Portugal in November. I visited Porto for four days and six days in Lisbon. Since it was off tourist season I have the place to myself. No reservation for restaurants, no lines for anything because there no tourist crowds.</p>

<p>I think if you use Porto and Lisbon as a base and make daytrip from there would be better use of your time. A daytrip from Lisbon to Porto for me is out of the question because you have to see Porto at night, especially from the top of the bridge. From Porto I visited Coimbra and there are many other places to do a daytrip to from Porto.</p>

<p>Lisbon you can spend four or five days just in the city. One day for a day trip Sintra and another must do daytrip is Cacilhas. My last visit to Lisbon I finally visited Cacilhas and walked all the way from there to the Christ statue and now I feel it’s a must do when visiting Lisbon. On my first visit I made day trips to Tomar, Batalha, Alcobaca and Evora from Lisbon. Another must do day trip in Lisbon is to visit the aquarium. I never was interesting in aquariums until I visit the one in Lisbon and it was mind opening experience.</p>

<p>Also Portugal is photographer friendly and never once I felt any concern with my DSLR and found few photo restriction of places I visited.</p>

<p>I am planning to visit Lisbon again in early May of this year and not concern about the economic trouble in Portugal. The only concern anyone should have in Lisbon with their gear or wallet is riding the number 28 Tram!</p>

<p>Bill</p>

<p>Thanks Bill,<br>

Your visit sounds similar to what we are leaning towards. I think our 8 days will go quickly. I would like to get to Porto but we may not be able to. If we do, it would probably be an overnighter. Good to hear about equipment safety. You always have to be on your tows but having to be excessively so can ruin a trip.</p>

<p>We spent four days in the Algarve in January a couple years back, we based ourselves in Faro (flew in and out on RyanAir). Spent the first afternoon in Faro, the next day in the mountains, the third day out along the west coast and ended the day at Point Sagres. Absolutely beautiful, and the weather was just lovely in January. June might be a little on the warm side. Enjoy yourself.</p>

<p>A few years ago now we spent a fortnight in Portugal - a week in the Algarve near Faro and then a week near the coast near Lisbon. Your itinerary sounds pretty good though two days for the Algarve may be a bit tight. We found getting lost in the countryside was a good way of finding tiny old villages that looked as though they had not changed in a long time. Sintra, Obidos and the coast remain my strongest memories. The Algarve beaches are great but also the beautiful cliffs at Cabo da Roca, Sagres (as recommended above) and Cabo San Vicente. We did not explore Lisbon or Evora but they were on the list.</p>

<p>If you are travelling by car the Algarve motorway is excellent and free. Motorways elsewhere I think had tolls but were not excessive.</p>

<p>Thank you for the info on the Algarve, I thought we might be pushing it a bit. I think we are going to skip the Algarve this time around and stay mostly around Lisbon with side trips of which Porto will be the longest and we may stay over night there. I think there is a point where reality has to creep in. I would rather really enjoy a few spots than see a bunch and never have time to enjoy them even a little. Porto, Sintra, and Lisbon seem like they will offer up a lot that we are looking for. Thank you again everyone for your thoughts, much appreciated.</p>