Bilbao to Algarve ~1 week itinerary
Bilbao to Lisbon ~1 week itinerary
Hi all. Arriving into Santander on the ferry next week and looking to indirectly meander down to the in-laws in the Algarve, this time exploring the northern Spanish coastal regions and northern half of Portugal. My partner and I are 30-somethings, like to make food and drink a big part of our trips (especially tapas/pintxos and other simple, local delights, and occasionally something fancier), as well as a dose of culture, nightlife, people-watching and generally exploring towns and villages. We were in San Sebastián shortly before the pandemic and loved the general vibe and food scene, but it’s too far east to revisit this time and keen to find new gastronomic pleasures. Thinking we may detour slightly and head to Bilbao for a couple of nights, likewise Porto has long been on my hit list so maybe another couple of nights there too. Going to have a final night in Lisbon but have been there several times (big fan) so will take a back seat this trip. So that leaves two or three nights to enjoy elsewhere, and they don’t necessarily have to all be cities - we’ll be stopping off at places of interest between our overnight locations, so ending our day in a sleepy fishing village is fine. Wondering whether to incorporate places like Santiago dC, some of the Douro, Oviedo, Cudillero and other villages on the Asturias coastline, Vigo, Comillas, Santillana, etc etc. Obviously it’s a large area that you could spend much, much longer exploring, so need to filter it down into a realistic week-long road trip. I’m usually drawn to spending more time in Spain as the food and culture always feels a little more complex and developed than Portugal but maybe I’ve spent too much time in the Algarve and need to discover more of the real Portugal in the north. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. |
Re: Bilbao to Algarve ~1 week itinerary
we would thoroughly recommend Cudillero, but whatever you do, do not take your caravan into the village, there is a cracking campsite at the top of the hill (if you are towing that is) and a lovely walk along the hilltop path down into town (avoiding having to walk along the road) a cpl of lovely bars in the harbour area and a fantastic fish restaurant on the left hand side near the btm (name escapes me now, but its also a fishmongers where all of the other restaurants seem to buy their fish from) enjoy
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Re: Bilbao to Algarve ~1 week itinerary
Thanks Andy - good to hear Cudillero is a good stop. Not travelling with a caravan, though - just using hotels.
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Re: Bilbao to Algarve ~1 week itinerary
Originally Posted by oysterleeds
(Post 13117069)
Bilbao to Lisbon ~1 week itinerary
I’m usually drawn to spending more time in Spain as the food and culture always feels a little more complex and developed than Portugal but maybe I’ve spent too much time in the Algarve and need to discover more of the real Portugal in the north. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. |
Re: Bilbao to Algarve ~1 week itinerary
I agree 'loafing' even though we live in Portugal, the hospitality in Galicia was superb on the way down here last year, every beer you got a little plate/bowl of something, some good some not so good, obv they didnt know that we are vegetarian, and we didnt tell them so as not to offend (and the dogs loved the cherizo....so bonus)
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Re: Bilbao to Algarve ~1 week itinerary
Thanks Loafing. This isn't my first drive to the Algarve and have previously stopped at Salamanca, Caceres and of course Seville (one of my favourite European cities, as is Lisbon), so no stranger to other parts of Spain - especially the more typically hot and dusty parts (and islands). However, despite not being quite so excited about Portugal, given the regularity of visits to the Algarve (for the in-laws) I do feel I need to do a bit more exploring there, and given my prior enjoyment of San Sebastián and Santander which have a slightly different vibe, it feels like a good time to explore it a little more.
My best food memory of Portugal so far (besides the pastel de nata, and some humble piri piri meals) is visiting Ramiro seafood restaurant in Lisbon - delicious and buzzing. More of this sort of vibe would be good. I wish Portugal had more of a tapas scene and made better use of their produce overall - it too often feels reminiscent of 70s British food; overcooked, under-flavoured and unimaginative. Thankfully the UK moved on! |
Re: Bilbao to Algarve ~1 week itinerary
Originally Posted by andywally
(Post 13117214)
I agree 'loafing' even though we live in Portugal, the hospitality in Galicia was superb on the way down here last year, every beer you got a little plate/bowl of something, some good some not so good, obv they didnt know that we are vegetarian, and we didnt tell them so as not to offend (and the dogs loved the cherizo....so bonus)
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Re: Bilbao to Algarve ~1 week itinerary
now then .........if we arent too careful here it could turn into a debate about the merits (or de-merits) or PT cuisine, and I use the word very carefully..........but I have to agree in our experience so far its been simple 'boiled to death' (like we used to in the UK about 40 yrs ago) underseasoned and a tad bland ................ btw I have just put my 'tin helmet' on ready for the flack:thumbsup:
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Re: Bilbao to Algarve ~1 week itinerary
Originally Posted by andywally
(Post 13117218)
now then .........if we arent too careful here it could turn into a debate about the merits (or de-merits) or PT cuisine, and I use the word very carefully..........but I have to agree in our experience so far its been simple 'boiled to death' (like we used to in the UK about 40 yrs ago) underseasoned and a tad bland ................ btw I have just put my 'tin helmet' on ready for the flack:thumbsup:
Back on topic ?? |
Re: Bilbao to Algarve ~1 week itinerary
Originally Posted by Loafing Along
(Post 13117222)
Need a new thread for that :rofl: am sure will generate endless debate - fresh fish done on the open grill in any of the East Algarvean towns/villages unbeatable - as for the rest unimpressed
Back on topic ?? I would also recommend visiting Vila Nova de Milfontes, stunning scenery.... And just a few minutes walk away from the 'touristy bit' is a fully functioning town, all year round. For a slice of 'proper' PT life. (Also we were pleasantly surprised to see a large Indian/Asian community there). Re food... We live in Spain, right on the PT border, in fact the nearest resto outside our development is actually in PT. But our ES town, Ayamonte, 10 mins away is full of choices. I consider myself as a 'foody', and I would say that we eat 2/3 of the time in PT restos. I think food is a personal choice, and with the plethora of choices we have, in 2 countries - we find that we gravitate towards PT for food. But the best part is having the choices......:thumbsup: Jon |
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