Originally Posted by gedscottish

I would if I could edit out my suggestion above of taking in Serra da Estrela and surrounding area, too out of way and not where you want to live, leave that one for when you love here! For sure though see coastal places I suggested.

Originally Posted by gedscottish

Personally I would suggest anywhere between Torres Vedras and Marinha Grande, a personal favourite of mine being Peniche(and the 20km or so south of it). Obidos worth a visit inland while you are there. Nazare is also very nice but gets mobbed in the summer, again worth heading up the coast through it and then on to Pedra do Ouro, from there you could head east to Tomar(historic city) then up to Serra da Estrela if you feel up to the drive and take in the mountain towns of the likes of,Seia, Gouveia over the top of the mountain then down into the valley where you will arive at Manteigas(worth a stay for a night at The Berne Hotel) and drive right to the top of the mountain! Next day, south east to Belmonte(there is an amazing fortified town near here too but can'y mind name just now, it will come to me) and head south down to Algarve to Lisbon and take in Sintra and the historic parts of Lisbon. Make sure you take in some the Alentejo coast on way back up but others on here will be able to advise better exactly which parts of the Algarve and Alentejo are must see areas.____________________________________________ _____________________ p.s Sorry for suggesting such a big drive, otherwise I suggest you book another 2 week stay later in year!

Originally Posted by EdCasey

This will be my wife and my first visit to Portugal we arrive lisbon Feb 7th for 2 weeks.Want to see if we could retire in Portugal. We like nice quiet beaches, mountain scenery, walking, historic sites, character villages etc. Can anyone recommend places to visit we will have hire car and prepared to drive upto 200 miles from Lisbon..Thanks your help. Ed

Originally Posted by bjejaboz

I don't think anyone has mentioned Alentejo. It's a beautiful region with the Monchique range of (not quite mountains) but they are very picturesque and good for walking, the west coast and its plentiful quiet beaches plus the rolling countryside dotted with Cork and Oak trees as well as the local vineyards.
I wish you a successful search.

Originally Posted by bejaboz

I don't think anyone has mentioned Alentejo. It's a beautiful region with the Monchique range of (not quite mountains) but they are very picturesque and good for walking, the west coast and its plentiful quiet beaches plus the rolling countryside dotted with Cork and Oak trees as well as the local vineyards.I wish you a successful search.

Originally Posted by gedscottish

Looks fantastic, I'll be making sure I go there one of these times I head south again!

Originally Posted by captainflack

I am in Azeitao, about 35 minutes south of Lisbon, just by Mt Arrabida. It's a beautiful drive from here to the beaches, over the mountain. Search for 'arrabida' in Google and you'll find some pics.

Azeitao is a wine area, nice small town but close enough to Lisbon which the mrs likes. Does make it easier when we have family flying over too. Also Setubal with a big shopping centre just 15 mins away. But round us is just vineyards and farms.

To be honest there are a lot of great places in Portugal, we came about 2 years ago and spent nearly a year just visiting different parts before we bought our house. Silver Coast is also nice, Algarve too but bit pricier I guess. We got more for our money here than we would have down there, did seriously consider a couple of places - Lourinha on silver coast. But no regrets having bought here.

Originally Posted by captainflack

I am in Azeitao, about 35 minutes south of Lisbon, just by Mt Arrabida. It's a beautiful drive from here to the beaches, over the mountain. Search for 'arrabida' in Google and you'll find some pics.

Azeitao is a wine area, nice small town but close enough to Lisbon which the mrs likes. Does make it easier when we have family flying over too. Also Setubal with a big shopping centre just 15 mins away. But round us is just vineyards and farms.

To be honest there are a lot of great places in Portugal, we came about 2 years ago and spent nearly a year just visiting different parts before we bought our house. Silver Coast is also nice, Algarve too but bit pricier I guess. We got more for our money here than we would have down there, did seriously consider a couple of places - Lourinha on silver coast. But no regrets having bought here.

Originally Posted by macliam

Arrabida is great, as is Sesimbra and Setubal is a nice city - all close to Lisbon and with good connections.

South on the Alentejo Litoral is nice too, but either fairly barren or wildly over-exposed, like Vila Nova de Milfontes (New Town of the Thousand Springs) known as the "village of three lies" (it isn't a town, it isn't new and it has no springs...). When you see the area you'll know whether ot not you like it.

It's an easy drive from Lisbon to see Sesimbra, Arrabida, Setubal and down to Milfontes, but you'll find a decent hotel for under 50 Euros a night out of high season - so you might want to stop off in Setubal or thereabouts and get a taste of life outside Lisbon.

Originally Posted by EdCasey

Thank you for your input.
Arrabida, Sesimbra and Setubal sound very interesting as we are looking for a place to live out ide of major cities.
A village with plenty of amenities within 30 mins-1 hour drive of coast would be ideal..
Can you recommend a reliable estate agent in the areas you mentioned?
Ed

Originally Posted by macliam

I'm not in that area, so can't help much - I just know it from several holidays in and around Sesimbra and a Dolphin-watching trip to Troia (across from Setubal). I spent several years chasing around Portugal, looking at likely spots - so I've visited more of Portugal than Britain or Ireland, or anywhere else....

But I have loved the Alentejo since my first visit over 25 years ago, rattling over cobbled roads in a hired Ford Fiesta. Now you can go for lunch in places that took all day to reach (e.g. Estremoz) and be back in Lisbon for Tea...
I also think Lisbon is the best and most accessible capital city in Europe and love the easy access to Lisbon coast, but other cities Porto, Aveiro, Viseu, etc., have their own character too. So, I'm afraid there's no magic bullet - you just have to put in the mileage!

I'd be surprised if you don't enjoy it though!

Originally Posted by EdCasey

Putting in the miles is not a problem have no issues at all doing that, just trying get an idea where to start looking based upon what other people have found interesting...
Thanks again..

Ed

Originally Posted by macliam

Looking back at your wishlist - quiet beaches, mountain scenery, walking, historic sites, character villages etc., you really do need to explore the Arrabida area - it's proximity to Lisbon is a boon. But anywhere in Portugal will tick one or other of your boxes. I'll let the Algarve residents and those on the silver coast tell you about their areas.

The West coast, south from Sesimbra is mostly quiet - although it's the Atlantic, so bays and estuaries are best ... that's why Sesimbra and VN Milfontes are popular - but there are others.

The Spanish border is full of history - like all borders. Below Marvão is the village of Portagem, where Spanish Jews crossed into Portugal on their expulsion in 1492. The castle stood firm against centuries of conflict with Spain - but taken once by a Spanish force commanded by an Irishman

The central Alentejo isn't for the mountaineer .... but the wine and food are great and every town has it's own story, Evora, Estremoz, Beja all have Roman and Moorish influences.

Every town is different, each has it's own gastronomic speciality and history. That's why you need to experience them. Enjoy.