Lonely Planet Portugal (2nd ed) [Paperback]

Julia Wilkinson (Author), John King (Author)

Book Description

Series: 2nd ed | Publication Date: July 1999

This guide to Portugal includes an illustrated section on its rich architectural heritage, coverage of Portugal's many beaches and nature reserves, and coverage of clubs, bars and live music in Lisbon.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

From Antarctica to Zimbabwe, if you're going there, chances are Lonely Planet has been there first. With a pithy and matter-of-fact writing style, these guides are guaranteed to calm the nerves of first-time world travelers, while still listing off-the-beaten-path finds sure to thrill even the most jaded globetrotters. Lonely Planet has been perfecting its guidebooks for nearly 30 years and as a result, has the experience and know-how similar to an older sibling's "been there" advice. The original backpacker's bible, the LP series has recently widened its reach. While still giving insights for the low-budget traveler, the books now list a wide range of accommodations and itineraries for those with less time than money.

You won't miss anything Portugal has to offer with this lively guide at your side. You'll learn where and when to eat, where to stay--from cheap pensões to renovated manor houses, important historical and cultural facts, enough Portuguese to get by, and practical tips ranging from proper attire for visiting a church to suggested itineraries. --Kathryn True

Language Notes

Text: English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 500 pages
• Publisher: Lonely Planet; 2nd edition (July 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0864426232
• ISBN-13: 978-0864426239
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,676,863 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good recs for hotels/resturaunts, domestic travel info poor, February 4, 2002

By 

Mike R. (DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lonely Planet Portugal (Portugal, 3rd ed) (Paperback)

This book was right for hotel recommendataions, both in Lisbon and the smaller cities (I can only speak to Porto, Guimaraes, Coimbra, Sintra, and Pombal.) The chapter on Porto was particularly sharp, offering details and information that I would have almost certainly missed. Be aware, however, that both cinemas (Portuguese and Hollywood) in central Porto are closed, along with a several resturaunts. Bus information to Boavista is inaccurate, as is nearly all information regarding domestic travel in Portugal, particularly by train. Most of it is dated, as a new station in Lisbon has apparently rerouted some lines, but some info is totally wrong. For example, the guide contends that most IC trains to and from Lisbon stop BOTH at Coimbra A and B, when in fact, Coimbra B services the Lisbon line, and A handles local traffic. The reverse is true of Gare Oriente and Santa Apolonia in Lisboa, where it is possible to get off at either station. This is important information, especially if you speak barely functional Portuguese and have a hard time understanding anything more than simple directions about departure times and locations or yes/no responses(quando e? sim/nao/amanha, etc...) Furthermore, there are many more trains runnning on the Lisbon/Porto/Braga line than are mentioned in the book, and contrary to its assertions to the contrary, train travel (with the exception of the local, which painfully slow)is efficent and reasonably priced (the Lisbon-Porto Alfa train, the equivalent of an Amtrak metroliner between New York and Washington, costs about 15 dollars and takes all of 3 hours.) All in all, a good book, but it needs to be updated, particularly with the coming changes and choas during Euro2004.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very good guide that covers the whole country, March 29, 2000

By 

A. Vahrenkamp "travel junkie" (on the road) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lonely Planet Portugal (2nd ed) (Paperback)

Lonely Planet consistently proves itself to be THE guide to have while you're traveling. The details are fantastic, the layout is simple, the maps are good, and the recommendations are right on, particularly regarding Lisbon. Further, it's small enough to take with you without looking too conspicuous. I especially like the details of off-the-beaten-path places too often overlooked by the average guidebook. For example, We found ourselves in the little town of Tomar, and the guide really came through with a great restaurant recommendation. If you want to escape to the real Portugal, use this book.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Overweight, stale, out of date, September 7, 2004

By 

Hairy Larry (Toronto, Ontario) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lonely Planet Portugal (Paperback)

I have used the Lonely Planet guides in Asia, the Middle East, and in Europe. Lately, they seem to have lost their way. Originally, the LP guides were for people who had travelled at least a little bit before and needed some pointers to an area. The guides usually had some sort of walking tours in the cities they indicated. Their guides have become filled with useless colour photos of generic scenes, The quirky, fresh information has disappeared -- In the summer of 2004, I used the LP guides for both Portugal and Spain. I was traveling for about three months. I had been in both places before and had used a LP guide. The most recent guides are stale and minimally updated. They are also occassionally misleading; especially concerning food. Sadly, the LP guide to Portugal is not worth the weight that goes along with carrying it.