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It stinks, but given time constraints prior to starting our first day of walking the Camino Portuguese, Jill and I do not have time to do a quality visit to both Porto and Lisbon. Since Porto is our starting location, it is more convenient and time expedient to spend the time there, but I value the input of those who know both cities.
Adjusting schedules is not a viable option, based on post-Camino plans and itinerary. That means that it is an 'either/ or' situation for this trip.
From a Pacific NW friend. We spent 5 days in Porto in October after rewalking the Meseta. 2017, 2019. The food, tiles, architecture are fabulous, and did I mention the food? We took the metro to Matosinhos for the day and the ocean is magnificent. We saw many pilgrims on their way. Enjoy!It stinks, but given time constraints prior to starting our first day of walking the Camino Portuguese, Jill and I do not have time to do a quality visit to both Porto and Lisbon. Since Porto is our starting location, it is more convenient and time expedient to spend the time there, but I value the input of those who know both cities.
Adjusting schedules is not a viable option, based on post-Camino plans and itinerary. That means that it is an 'either/ or' situation for this trip.
I believe you are referring to the Sao Bento Train Station, and you are right, the tiles are something else! The Passenger Hostel is just inside the train station and was superb! Triple decker bunks that were very private, complete with lights and small fans. Bathroom was great, and the meal in the morning was generous and diverse to suit any palate. Wish now that I had attended the dinner at 9pm, but that was just too late for me. The dining area is flanked on one side by suspended day beds, sofas, game tables, etc. Great vibe!The train station closest to the cathedral (can't remember the name) has beautiful tiles inside on one wall. Also inside the women's toilet was light and full of plants. I went to the smallest bookstore as well. I just enjoyed walking around, over the bridge and back and the riberra (spelling might be wrong)
I am already planning 3.5 days in Lisbon before starting, and I haven't done more than scratch the surface of what is there.Sounds like I should continue as planned to start in Lisbon ( a day or two) in September but plan a major rest day or two in Porto, also. The best of both possible worlds
I know both cities well and I would say Porto, hands down. The parks, the Arts district, the architecture, the people, fantastic!It stinks, but given time constraints prior to starting our first day of walking the Camino Portuguese, Jill and I do not have time to do a quality visit to both Porto and Lisbon. Since Porto is our starting location, it is more convenient and time expedient to spend the time there, but I value the input of those who know both cities.
Adjusting schedules is not a viable option, based on post-Camino plans and itinerary. That means that it is an 'either/ or' situation for this trip.
Lisbon, no question.It stinks, but given time constraints prior to starting our first day of walking the Camino Portuguese, Jill and I do not have time to do a quality visit to both Porto and Lisbon. Since Porto is our starting location, it is more convenient and time expedient to spend the time there, but I value the input of those who know both cities.
Adjusting schedules is not a viable option, based on post-Camino plans and itinerary. That means that it is an 'either/ or' situation for this trip.
Lisbon, no question.
I spent 3 weeks in Portugal last summer at the end of my Camino. (I walked the Frances and then took a bus or train to Porto). I liked both cities a lot as well as other locations in Portugal. Given that Porto is easier for you, I would stay there. It's a nice city, small enough to be easily walkable in the core. I was there in July and there were a LOT of tourists EVERYwhere and I still liked the city a lot. Great restaurants, cheap food, super nice people, welcoming, there were "we love tourists" signs at the coffee shop I went into my first day, vIt stinks, but given time constraints prior to starting our first day of walking the Camino Portuguese, Jill and I do not have time to do a quality visit to both Porto and Lisbon. Since Porto is our starting location, it is more convenient and time expedient to spend the time there, but I value the input of those who know both cities.
Adjusting schedules is not a viable option, based on post-Camino plans and itinerary. That means that it is an 'either/ or' situation for this trip.
I spent 3 weeks in Portugal after I walked the Frances last summer and I liked both Porto and Lisbon and went back to each city more than once. Given Porto is easier for you and it's definitely worth seeing, I would stay there. There is GREAT food, nice people, nice views of the water and the bridge. I was there in July and it was super hot and there were hoards of tourists and I still really liked the city. I would love to go back off season.It stinks, but given time constraints prior to starting our first day of walking the Camino Portuguese, Jill and I do not have time to do a quality visit to both Porto and Lisbon. Since Porto is our starting location, it is more convenient and time expedient to spend the time there, but I value the input of those who know both cities.
Adjusting schedules is not a viable option, based on post-Camino plans and itinerary. That means that it is an 'either/ or' situation for this trip.
. I was there in July and it was super hot and there were hoards of tourists and I still really liked the city. I would love to go back off season.
Sounds like a great trip! Enjoy.I am grateful to all of you for taking time to answer.
Before Jill and I do our Camino Portuguese from Porto to Santiago, I will be heading to Europe 12 days beforehand. My son, Caleb, and I will be walking Camino Aragones form Somport to Obanos. When we have arrived in Obanos, we will then return to Pamplona for another return visit.
We will fly from Pamplona to Porto (short layover in Madrid) so that we can meet up with Jill at the airport in Porto. The three of us plan to spend a couple of days exploring the city. Then Caleb will fly home, and Jill and I will start the CP.
We did not want to rush through both Lisbon and Porto with one day visits (plus travel time). It was going to be one or the other
My sincere thanks to you all.
We spent 3 full days in each city. Definitely prefer Porto but maybe more to see and do in Lisbon surrounding area.It stinks, but given time constraints prior to starting our first day of walking the Camino Portuguese, Jill and I do not have time to do a quality visit to both Porto and Lisbon. Since Porto is our starting location, it is more convenient and time expedient to spend the time there, but I value the input of those who know both cities.
Adjusting schedules is not a viable option, based on post-Camino plans and itinerary. That means that it is an 'either/ or' situation for this trip.
Excellent! I also like Lisbon, but why, in the OP's situation of commencing his camino in Porto, you would recommend that he rather spend a day in Lisbon rather than Porto?
One reason I ask is because I shall be in Lisbon (again) for a day, in two weeks time, and I want to be sure of making the most of my time there.
I am grateful to all of you for taking time to answer.
Before Jill and I do our Camino Portuguese from Porto to Santiago, I will be heading to Europe 12 days beforehand. My son, Caleb, and I will be walking Camino Aragones form Somport to Obanos. When we have arrived in Obanos, we will then return to Pamplona for another return visit.
We will fly from Pamplona to Porto (short layover in Madrid) so that we can meet up with Jill at the airport in Porto. The three of us plan to spend a couple of days exploring the city. Then Caleb will fly home, and Jill and I will start the CP.
We did not want to rush through both Lisbon and Porto with one day visits (plus travel time). It was going to be one or the other
My sincere thanks to you all.
Sao Bento is the most beautiful train station. BTW, I would definitely choose Porto, even if Lisbon is beautiful too, but Porto is just amazingThe train station closest to the cathedral (can't remember the name) has beautiful tiles inside on one wall. Also inside the women's toilet was light and full of plants. I went to the smallest bookstore as well. I just enjoyed walking around, over the bridge and back and the riberra (spelling might be wrong)
We had a few days each in lisbon and porto before commencing our cp from Porto on 8 October last year. We loved Lisbon, but once we reached Porto it quickly became our new favourite.
You will see in other threads a recommendation to walk from the cathedral along the river, out to the ocean and on to Vila do Conde rather than taking the metro to avoid the urban sprawl (if doing the littoral or coastal route). I’d highly recommend this option, the walk is lovely and there are some fantastic little churches on/just off the route to see along the way as well as the river, the ocean and lots parks. Food is readily available.
We had brilliant weather in Lisbon, Fatima and Porto but prepare for rain as you head north. We really only had one day of really bad rain/wind, but had some showers on the majority of days. Generally the tempretures were great for walking all the way to Santiago.
So here's one more for spending time in Porto THIS TIME, as you will be right there. UNLESS, this would be your only opportunity to visit Lisbon. There's an express train that gets you down there. So much history - Belem, Fado, food (pastes de nata, etc...) My bias is showing -- I enjoyed Porto, but Lisbon is one of my most favorite cities in the world.Dave, so far it looks like you'll probably be going to Porto with voting so far 4 to 0.☺
It stinks, but given time constraints prior to starting our first day of walking the Camino Portuguese, Jill and I do not have time to do a quality visit to both Porto and Lisbon. Since Porto is our starting location, it is more convenient and time expedient to spend the time there, but I value the input of those who know both cities.
Adjusting schedules is not a viable option, based on post-Camino plans and itinerary. That means that it is an 'either/ or' situation for this trip.
what is the "wart" I'm curious as want to do the Portuguese camino at some stageBoth are wonderful places but I would vote for Porto. I have been to Lisbon several times and there is lots to see. Porto is more compact, walkable and lots to see. I walked the CF for a few days with Paulo from Porto and he described the city as a beautiful woman with a wart on her nose. After being there I knew what he meant.
The OP has been, returned and left the forum some times ago. Still ....
Lisbon!
It is the Såo Bento station in the Porto center close to the cathedralThe train station closest to the cathedral (can't remember the name) has beautiful tiles inside on one wall. Also inside the women's toilet was light and full of plants. I went to the smallest bookstore as well. I just enjoyed walking around, over the bridge and back and the riberra (spelling might be wrong)
I absolutely love Porto - spent the New Year's Eve holiday there with my wife a few years back and it was exceptional.
That said, please allow me to tell my favorite "Salesman Award" story. I had been in Lisbon a few years back on business. I had arrived a couple of hours earlier than my colleagues so decided to walk some of the city hills and eventually sit down in a tavern for a beer. It was a rainy day so I had my travel umbrella out above my head. I spotted a tavern across the street and waited at the intersection for the light to change. As I was doing so, a gentleman on the other side of the street was waiving at me; he was holding a dozen umbrellas in his hands. As I approached him, he said in Portuguese, "Your umbrella seems broken. Let me see it." I put a smile on my face and handed it to him. With intensity, he immediately snapped the umbrella upwards breaking the supporting pieces. He then handed me one of his umbrellas and said - "That will be 5 euro." I laughed, gave him a 5 euro note and bought him a beer.
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