Customer Reviews

Lonely Planet Portugal (Country Guide)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

After having tried a few other guidebook series, I am back to Lonely Planet, as these are simply standard-setting in terms of travellers' reference.

But this is the exception that confirms the rule (along with Lonely Planet Iceland & Faroes). Though published last year, so much of the basic information is not up-to-date - and several recommendations seem like an absolute mystery as they in no way live up to Lonely Planet's usual criteria.

Just too many times I found myself planning according to the book's information and recommendations, and ended up finding nothing or not finding the expected. The examples are too many to be ust coincidence and 'because things change'. I will therefore get rid of this one, and try Footprint or The Rough Guide next time I go to Portugal.

Yet, my critical rating of this guidebook should also be seen in the light of my high expectations, as Lonely Planet - mostly - does set the standard. Try again - new edition.

We found this to be a more helpful guide than some other more expensive offerings. It is laid out clearly and logically. It's easy prose keeps you reading and sometimes opens up a new unconsidered possibility for exploration. It is a packable size and handy for experienced travelers and novices.

Just back from a week-long trip to Portugal (which included several regions as well as Lisbon), I strongly recommend this guide!

Having had the chance to review (and use) several other guides on Portugal, including Fodor'sFodor's Portugal, 8th Edition (Fodor's Gold Guides), Frommer'sFrommer's Portugal (Frommer's Complete), EyewitnessPortugal (Eyewitness Travel Guides), I can assuredly say that this was the most informative, comprehensive, practical and well-balanced guide of the bunch.

Yes, it does not give you the most wonderful glossy pictures that Eyewitness provides, and perhaps the description of restaurants and hotels may not be as expansive (though they are solid) as Frommer's, but Lonely Planet achieves the type of balance between facts, background, recommendations and maps that none of the other guides do.

Pair this with Lonely Planet's Portuguese Phrasebook Portuguese: Lonely Planet Phrasebook and you'll be all set to travel.

Lonely Planet provides a great complement to my reliance on Rick Steves. Between the two I am able to map out wonderful trips, with LP providing the lower end of the cost scale way to go about traveling. Cleanly laid out, written in a way to convey information rather than overawe the reader, their guides are invaluable, timely, and fun.

This guide excels in the ins and outs of
travel by other than rental car and plush
hotels. The public transportation information
is useful.

I used to buy a Lonely Planet before visiting any new country. My first books were Thailand and South East Asia on a Shoestring. They were bibles for any traveller visiting that region.

Since then the books have become progressively worse. Too much emphasis on history and seriously lacking on the present day. I guess this is because it's very easy to research and history doesn't change. New revisions of the books can be published with the minimum amount of work.

What annoyed me most about this book was the incorrect information in Lisbon. I walked to the wrong part of the city to find a tram that didn't go from there. If you are too lazy to check your information then leave it out!

They haven't really made the kindle version usable. The maps are tiny and you can't zoom in on them to see where you should go. A waste of your money if your buying the kindle edition.

We travel quite a lot. Twice a year to overseas destinations. My book of choice has always been LP. We usually get 2 guide books for variety, but I've always said if I could have only one it would be LP. Well the latest Portugal version is a mess. I've never been so disappointed. First and foremost the maps. LP's main distinguishing factor from others is the quality of its maps. Not in this guide. The Lisbon map in particular was a disaster. No street names, not accurately drawn. Normally i can count on the curves in the street being correct to navigate - not on this map. My other big complaint was the lack of good budget options. Lots of expensive restaurants and hotels listed but very few inexpensive. Add to that the great disparity between ratings throughout the book. In one section $$ meant one price range and in another section it was different. Definitely don't get this book if you are going to Portugal.

Here's the other big change that i HATE. They've totally restructured the layout. Stuff that used to be in the front (like a food section) was now somewhere in the middle? What the hell? How are you supposed to find anything. LP has always had a standard layout so you could quickly find things. And speaking of the food section it was sparse. Way too thin compared to other LP guides. Also, where is the metric conversion charts? Where's the basic information on population, size, GDP, etc? Go back to the old design LP!!!!!

I have used the Lonely Planet for many trips and ordered this one without seeing it in advance. The maps were vague and often just plain wrong. The descriptions of sites were completely out of date and some were so inaccurate that I doubt the author even visited them.

Just a note if you do use this book . . .the hotel descriptions tend to be overly modest. We stayed in "Guest Houses" rated with 1-2 euro signs. Based on the descriptions I was expecting modest to drab accommodations, but they were very nice with high ceilings, chandeliers, and marble. It seemed more like a Fodor's modest accommodation rather than LP.

This book is far below LP's normal standards. Don't bother buying it.

We always use Lonely Planet because they tell it like it is---good, bad and ugly !

This latest book on Portugal is no exception.

Wonderful !