Portugal - so sad

[bobnick]

There’s a basic Aire in Obidos. Just passed the car parks. It free to park during the day (so cheaper than the car parks) - over night it was a small charge (under €10??) no ehu but dump and water. Very convenient fir the old town.

If you are heading towards Coimbra do stop in Tomar. It’s worth a couple of days. Free Aire in the town. It was the old municipal campsite. Basic, safe, quiet.

Leaving Coimbra in the morning (just spent 4 hours walking around looking) to go to Obidos tomorrow, then onto Sintra.
Planning 5 hours in Obidos tomorrow. Site booked in Sintra.
Missed Tomar. One can only do/visit so many places in a given time. Maybe next time and thanks for the tip.
See photo of the day later for a couple of pics of Coimbra.

 

[Brian Thompson]

Of course the number of Motorhomers visiting Iberia during the Winter will have a detrimental effect on all of us...what has caused Portugal to make a stand against inappropriate park ups, will also force some Spanish regions to follow the same course...

What some have written in the Media including Fun..."Spain needs us" well believe me....they do not... everywhere on the coast is greatly overcrowded...this year even worse than last...so anyone planning a visit here...plan ahead...be prepared to get turned away from your favourite stopover..
.

Idiots on the Norfolk coast are emptying there loos in dikes near coastal car parks . Resulting in additional bans. Always the few ruin it for the many

 

[jumar]

Idiots on the Norfolk coast are emptying there loos in dikes near coastal car parks . Resulting in additional bans. Always the few ruin it for the many

That's a very disappointing situation, we've experienced the very same in parts of mainland Europe .
Overcrowding and anti- social behaviour will in time put a strain and like you've said lead to bans for all of us...

 

[bobnick]

Portugal.
A very pleasant surprise. Cascais (pronouced, cash ki) North of Lisbon South of Sintra. A really nice place with great beaches, shops and stuff. Check it out if in the area.

 

[ivorantony]

There’s a basic Aire in Obidos. Just passed the car parks. It free to park during the day (so cheaper than the car parks) - over night it was a small charge (under €10??) no ehu but dump and water. Very convenient fir the old town.

If you are heading towards Coimbra do stop in Tomar. It’s worth a couple of days. Free Aire in the town. It was the old municipal campsite. Basic, safe, quiet.

I was Obidos three week ago, it’s €6 a night, it’s quite basic but a easy walk into the city so very convenient,

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[bobnick]

I was Obidos three week ago, it’s €6 a night, it’s quite basic but a easy walk into the city so very convenient,

We saw the MHs when we were coming out of the castle. Was wondering. We stayed in the normal car park for the time we were there, only a few hours. It was €0 charge.

 

[Lenny HB]

I was Obidos three week ago, it’s €6 a night, it’s quite basic but a easy walk into the city so very convenient,

Was only €2 when we were there. Portugal is getting expensive.

 

[Holly's mum]

Was only €2 when we were there. Portugal is getting expensive.

I was Obidos three week ago, it’s €6 a night, it’s quite basic but a easy walk into the city so very convenient,

We were there last week.

It's free to park for the day. €6 to stay overnight or €2 just to use the services but I am sure that many of the vans using the services only didn't pay

 

[bobnick]

We were there last week.

It's free to park for the day. €6 to stay overnight or €2 just to use the services but I am sure that many of the vans using the services only didn't pay

Was you there at the weekend when the Chocolat Festival is on?

 

[Holly's mum]

Was you there at the weekend when the Chocolat Festival is on?

No sadly, would have liked to see that.

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[OldCodger]

It's free to park for the day. €6 to stay overnight or €2 just to use the services but I am sure that many of the vans using the services only didn't pay

There’s an honesty box, but the little old lady who collects the overnight fee only comes between 5 and 6pm..

 

[Holly's mum]

There’s an honesty box, but the little old lady who collects the overnight fee only comes between 5 and 6pm..

Our ticket was left on our windscreen at 7.30am the first morning and we posted our payment into the letter/honesty box on the Hut.

My point was, those people only using the services who should have paid €2 mostly didn't bother from those we saw.

 

[OldCodger]

Our ticket was left on our windscreen at 7.30am the first morning and we posted our payment into the letter/honesty box on the Hut.

My point was, those people only using the services who should have paid €2 mostly didn't bother from those we saw.

I understood. Sad really. If only folks were considerate… it’s a great stop over, even for a couple if days, and literally 5 minutes from the old town. It’ll end up like the French campingcar parks. Not that I think it’s a bad idea but it will displace a better one!

 

[bobnick]

We must have missed something.
Drove to Sintra yesterday.
Apart from a few old buildings in the hills that looked like the slums of India there was nowt we saw of any interest.
Never mind eh.

 

[OldCodger]

Sintra, Portugal; an independent tourism guide for 2024

www.sintra-portugal.com

May be worth going back?

That said, the first time I went there (to visit the Motorhome dealership) I left with the same impression as you!

EDITTED.

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[Lenny HB]

We must have missed something.
Drove to Sintra yesterday.
Apart from a few old buildings in the hills that looked like the slums of India there was nowt we saw of any interest.
Never mind eh.

How did you manage that, really interesting place, a couple of palaces to visit plus the Moorish fort all well worth the effort. & there is a good curry house on the edge of the town. Does involve lots of walking up and down the hills. Lazy people take the tut tuts but you miss a lot then.

 

[bobnick]

Saw the tuk tuks and some of the palaces, a monastery and a couple of other old buildings as we drove by, nowhere to park LEGALLY even in a little 500. Didn't see any sign of a fort. We/she had the tourists blurb in her hand.
Ah well can't win em all. Unusual for us to miss something like that.
As you say maybe next time.
Not going back now as we have Lisbon planned for today, then off to Seville tomorrow...........in an AIRE for 3 nights (does have leccy though)

 

[bobnick]

Quickie before we leave in an hour or so.
Lisbon.
Where should we had for in Lisbon that is a central point that we can walk and see sights. We walk a lot once parked.

 

[Orion]

We stayed in the car park at the terminal in Seixal and took the ferry across - €6.50 return and 20 minutes - which drops you on the waterfront right in the centre.

 

[Two on Tour]

Quickie before we leave in an hour or so.
Lisbon.
Where should we had for in Lisbon that is a central point that we can walk and see sights. We walk a lot once parked.

We visited Lisbon last week Bob and stayed in the carpark next to the fire station at Cacilhas. It's €2 of 24hrs, but it is just a carpark with no services, but has plenty of space for a MH and toad.
A ten minute walk to the ferry which as Orion says, drops you off on the Lisbon waterfront.
On your way down to the ferry you will find an old sailed frigate which is worth a look around for an hour.

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[Holly's mum]

Saw the tuk tuks and some of the palaces, a monastery and a couple of other old buildings as we drove by, nowhere to park LEGALLY even in a little 500. Didn't see any sign of a fort. We/she had the tourists blurb in her hand.
Ah well can't win em all. Unusual for us to miss something like that.
As you say maybe next time.
Not going back now as we have Lisbon planned for today, then off to Seville tomorrow...........in an AIRE for 3 nights (does have leccy though)

Whilst in Lisbon check out the money museum, it is free to get in and something a bit different and interesting. The archeological museum is good too but you have to book a tour, we booked the same day with no problem.

 

[bobnick]

Whilst in Lisbon check out the money museum, it is free to get in and something a bit different and interesting. The archeological museum is good too but you have to book a tour, we booked the same day with no problem.

Thanks for that. We will look out for it.
Normally we get ourselfs to the tourist info center for a street map but they are closed on Sundays.
Hate using the phone to guide me around.

 

[Orion]

Don’t bother visiting the National Museum of Contemporary Art even though entry is free due to the majority of galleries being closed for ‘rearrangement’.

These temporary exhibits are apparently ‘edgy’ and ‘playful’!

And no, they’re not part of the building works being undertaken!

 

[bobnick]

Don’t bother visiting the National Museum of Contemporary Art even though entry is free due to the majority of galleries being closed for ‘rearrangement’.

These temporary exhibits are apparently ‘edgy’ and ‘playful’!

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And no, they’re not part of the building works being undertaken!

That type of stuff does nowt for us.
Now a Banksy....well

 

[bobnick]

We leave Portugal tomorrow.
My take on things.
Roads.
Absolutely fine. Toll roads and main highways all good.
Some town and city roads are a bit beaten up but nowhere near as bad as our pathetic roads.
Tolls
If you don't have the V tag/fob thing no worries at all.
Take the ticket that is clearly shown at the booth. You will get advanced warnings to take said ticket.
At the other end when it's time to pay you will see above the toll booths a picture of a man. This denotes a person will take your money. If not manned (or ladyied) go to the booths that have credit cards symbols above. Ticket in, card flashe off you go. It really is very very easy and simple.
Just stay clear of the V lanes.
Food
We have had some of the best meals we have ever had in Europe.
Beer
I had one very small Bock Beer all the time i was here. That small one was enough.
Most scenic part for me was from Obidos south to just north of Lisbon.
Surprise of the trip was a place call Cascais, pronoused Cash-ki. Very pretty seaside town with loverly beaches and stuff.
Diesel/petrol more expensive than Spain.
Would we come back. Yes but in no rush to.
Obrigado Portugal.

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[HugoBNB]

We leave Portugal tomorrow.
My take on things.
Roads.
Absolutely fine. Toll roads and main highways all good.
Some town and city roads are a bit beaten up but nowhere near as bad as our pathetic roads.
Tolls
If you don't have the V tag/fob thing no worries at all.
Take the ticket that is clearly shown at the booth. You will get advanced warnings to take said ticket.
At the other end when it's time to pay you will see above the toll booths a picture of a man. This denotes a person will take your money. If not manned (or ladyied) go to the booths that have credit cards symbols above. Ticket in, card flashe off you go. It really is very very easy and simple.
Just stay clear of the V lanes.
Food
We have had some of the best meals we have ever had in Europe.
Beer
I had one very small Bock Beer all the time i was here. That small one was enough.
Most scenic part for me was from Obidos south to just north of Lisbon.
Surprise of the trip was a place call Cascais, pronoused Cash-ki. Very pretty seaside town with loverly beaches and stuff.
Diesel/petrol more expensive than Spain.
Would we come back. Yes but in no rush to.
Obrigado Portugal.

If you can remember drinking Super Bock, you haven't drank many!
Portugal is a brilliant country. Enjoy Seville

 

[Holly's mum]

We leave Portugal tomorrow.
My take on things.
Roads.
Absolutely fine. Toll roads and main highways all good.
Some town and city roads are a bit beaten up but nowhere near as bad as our pathetic roads.
Tolls
If you don't have the V tag/fob thing no worries at all.
Take the ticket that is clearly shown at the booth. You will get advanced warnings to take said ticket.
At the other end when it's time to pay you will see above the toll booths a picture of a man. This denotes a person will take your money. If not manned (or ladyied) go to the booths that have credit cards symbols above. Ticket in, card flashe off you go. It really is very very easy and simple.
Just stay clear of the V lanes.
Food
We have had some of the best meals we have ever had in Europe.
Beer
I had one very small Bock Beer all the time i was here. That small one was enough.
Most scenic part for me was from Obidos south to just north of Lisbon.
Surprise of the trip was a place call Cascais, pronoused Cash-ki. Very pretty seaside town with loverly beaches and stuff.
Diesel/petrol more expensive than Spain.
Would we come back. Yes but in no rush to.
Obrigado Portugal.

Only toll roads you will have a problem on without a tag, are the ones without toll booths and just the overhead gantries but you get forewarned before you get to them, so can avoid if necessary.

 

[bobnick]

Only toll roads you will have a problem on without a tag, are the ones without toll booths and just the overhead gantries but you get forewarned before you get to them, so can avoid if necessary.

Never came accross any of those.

 

[bobnick]

If you can remember drinking Super Bock, you haven't drank many!
Portugal is a brilliant country. Enjoy Seville

One little un is all i had and the memory lingers

 

[bigtree]

Camping Porto Covo, Costa do Vizir.

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