Portugal coast - where? Or Northwest Spain?

[ptumbi]

I'm looking at the Portuguese coast - not as far down as Algarve (think it might be too hot in July? Correct me if wrong)

There is a place called Peniche, which looks nice and quiet, though it seems to be a 'surf-town'. So is it full of young guys with dreads ? We'd fly to Lisbon and drive.

Where should I go - that's within an hour of an airport, on the beach and not too hot? And I'm only looking for B&B, not all-inc.

Am also looking at north portugal/north-west Spain (from Santiago de Compostela I guess) or Porto. What are the beaches like? The Weather?

Anyone? Am I going to have to just go, without MN approval? And find out for myself...?

I know Galicia a little. We went to Bayona in Spain once - stunning setting by the sea. Pontevedra is also a lovely historic town. The Rias Baixas have the most stunning coastline with lovely beaches and fantastic seafood. VERY popular with the Spanish in summer! Summers generally nice but it can rain (that's why Northern Spain is so green!). Santiago de Compostela is always worth a visit (not by the beach I know!).

The Lisbon coast will probably be as warm as the Algarve, maybe even hotter but in that area Cascais is nice, close to Lisbon (I would get the train rather than drive across Lisbon) nice beach, restaurants etc and easy to get to Lisbon or Sintra for a day sightseeing

Went to the Costa Verde (Porto) area about 20 years ago. It was beautiful - not at all touristy. Some lovely places to visit. The beach was very sandy, but being on the Atlantic coast, the sea wasn't particularly warm, and it was very windy so you got sand blasted, but that might have been just when we went there.

I've been told that the northern-er Portugal coast is less touristy, and that appeals. I am ok with heat, so long as it's 30Cs, not 40Cs! (like Turkey for eg.)
Also been told that it's windy in August, and the sea is 'wild'. We'd be going in July, before the schools break up hopefully.
Train is a good idea.

It's rarely 40s in the Algarve in July and August (I live here), but yes it will be less touristy further north.

The sea is very rough and unpredictable, hence all the surfers, and you can see world breaking surf attempts on YouTube! Cascais is less so as it's more sheltered and south facing, rather than the beaches which are west-facing, probably less windy too

Costa - you're on the Algarve? We did look at Algarve but don't really like crowds of english golfers and have a friend who recommended Vigo (northern Spain)

Do you know the north portugal coast? Anywhere you'd recommend? Not too touristy, bit of architecture/things to do or look at (I did think about the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage walk! ) and easy to get to?

I'll look at Cascais - thanks.

Yes, been here 12 years

I haven't been to the coast up near Porto, although have been to the city itself, and would recommend it, we have stayed in cascais though, hence my post above

The area around Ericeira is supposed to be nice, just north of Lisbon, and then I would hire a car - I just associate the beaches on the west facing coast north of Lisbon with news reports of people being swept out to sea, or of record breaking waves, so they don't appeal to me much

There's a similar vibe on the west coast south of Lisbon, around Arrifana, Carrapateira, Vila Nova de Milfontes - but some areas are really wild and undeveloped and quite a way from civilisation, so check them out carefully

Just reading your last post again bit of architecture/things to do or look at and I'd really look at cascais - it's only about half an hour from Lisbon by train, and there's so much to do and see there, and there's Estoril and Sintra close by too, with the beach at Cascais for lazier days. We stayed at the Albatroz, a very famous hotel in Cascais www.albatrozhotels.com

Looks lovely, Costa. I'll def look at that. Thanks

We had a great 2 weeks in Monchique, which is a bit inland, but really easy to get to (packed) Algarve beaches in the South, and gorgeous (empty) beaches on the West. Dave & Sam Cam were there at the same time, but we didn't let it spoil our Hol.....

Yes there's lots of nice places just a bit inland on the Algarve - I like Silves, the old capital, moorish castle, cathedral, archaeological excavations, great fish restaurants, and about 10 mins drive to the beach

The Silver Coast is lovely, still very Portuguese. We've stayed at Areia Branca and at Sao Martinho do Porto - the latter has an enclosed bay which is great for small children. The beaches are huge, but the Atlantic can be quite wild so you do have to be aware of currents. Peniche is good for a visit, but I would suggest staying somewhere like Sao Martinho, which has a wide range of accommodation and restaurants (Pesca no Prato on the quay front is good). Lisbon is about an hour away by car, great for day trips (the aquarium is worth a trip), and Sintra, Cascais etc make good day trips too. Obidos is nearby and is very pretty but touristy. There is a great go karting track nearby too (Dinokart), and there is a dinosaur museum is in Lourinha - you can see dinosaur tracks in the rocks in the cliffs.

And further north around Coimbra, Viana do Castelo, Braga and Oporto is very pretty too.

Looks like there is plenty to see, anyway - Costa I'v just looked at silves; looks lovely.
Further north, squirrel we've been recommended Aveiro - pretty, cooler, beaches... Any thoughts? It looks cheaper too.

BTW - a friend went to portugal a few years ago and was horrified by the cost of stuff - eating out, buying food in, drinks, the lot. i've been told it's cheaper there now - it that true? we're not looking for cheap cheap but not expensive either.

I'm surprised at that tbh, we eat out pretty cheaply, compared to UK prices and with the exchange rate as it is at the moment, it's even better value

It's expensive around the big golf resorts on the Algarve, but we ate out quite cheaply but up north and in the west Algarve, around Lagos. We tend to have breakfast and lunch at the apartment and eat out in the evenings. Seafood is always good, and BBQ piripiri chicken and chips is a favourite.

Can't remember Aveiro, as it was a long time ago that we were that far north, I do remember the festival of Saint John in Braga, my DH was way taller than everyone else there so was the perfect target for the thousands of giant squeaky hammers being wielded.

Yes I suppose so, we can spend the evening at our local and pay less than 30€ a couple for dinner, drinks, coffee - there are also places which will be more like 30-40€ per person, if it's more of an occasion

That sounds good - squeaky hammers? Costa - it was a few years ago - maybe 7years. I think it was prob at the height of Portugal's economic crisis. Glad to hear it's better now.

I have been told that Aveiro is popular with the Germans (usually a good sign!) but that English is not widely spoken. My Portuguese is non-existant, but I have a bit of German. Will I have problems inland without the language?

It's never been that expensive here, I don't think, as pp said they must have been in Vale de Lobo or Vilamoura the'golden triangle' where all the footballers have their places we're much more humble here and I have never found Porto or Lisbon expensive either

You may well struggle to find English speakers inland and off the beaten track!

Hmm, we will have to stay on the coast then I think! I have a bit of Spanish though that prob won't help.

i think it was Vale de Lobo - rings a bell.

I'll have another look at the map/tripadvisor. Might need more than one trip!

Unfortunately Spanish wouldn't endear you to the locals much

Costa - I've been told that Portuguese is more difficult than Spanish? Do you speak it?

Yes, not fluently, but good enough, and yes it is really difficult, even native speakers say they make mistakes

We found that as long as you try, people will be really helpful -I remember one lady closing her shop so that she could take us to her friends house that had a restaurant in the back garden. DH was doing a summer exchange at Coimbra University and learnt enough to get by (coupled with lots if sign language).