Lonely Planet Portugal (Paperback)

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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 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

Unwind on secluded beaches, explore the historic backstreets of Lisbon, escape to enchanting Évora, roam the rocky Serra da Estrela or sit back and enjoy a bottle of world-famous port. Whatever your interests, discover the real Portugal with this essential guide.

• accommodation and eating options for all
• insider’s guide to entertainment – from beachside bars to chic cafés
• tips on where to surf, walk, dive and bike
• detailed information on Portugal’s fascinating cultural heritage
• user-friendly language guide
• 85 detailed maps

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Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications; 4th edition (March 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1740593391
• ISBN-13: 978-1740593397
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #258,721 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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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.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great tool, but you'll need a bit more..., November 1, 2003

By	Nacozari - See all my reviews

i've used LP Portugal on many short trips to portugal (i live in madrid, so going to portugal occurs once in a while)... after purchasing several guidebooks, i have ended up taking LP every time and leave the other guidebooks on the shelf at home... despite this, some caveats are necessary!

the pros: the maps and city plans are substantially better than in the competitors' guidebooks.. lonely planet is one of the few economic travel guidebooks (economic travel, i mean, the book is not economical at all!) that gives you information on at least a few hotels that are not youth hostels, dives or other forms of bottom-barrel accommodation; in other words, they at least give you a few mid-range and expensive options if you wish to go that way... all the essentials are there, with great suggestions on places to sleep, eat and visit

the cons: as with ALL of the backpacker/youth travel guidebooks (LP, footprint, rough guide, let's go), the information on sights/monuments/museums, etc., is SEVERELY lacking... there is just the most basic of information on the history of the sights that you have gone so far to see... which makes it necessary to buy another book, pay an expensive guide or some such thing... (for instance, you will rarely read detailed descriptions of the artwork to be found in a church and are often left wandering about saying 'this is so beautiful, i wonder what it is???...i wish the guidebook would tell me more!') i know this would make the guidebooks huge, but even 50% more information on what you are gawking at would be wonderful so as to have a little bit more of a grip on the backgrouns after flying so far to see it!

which is why, despite its quality, i always feel the need to take another guidebook along, just in case...using my usual technique of tearing out just the pages i would need from each book

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	"drewv" (Atlanta, Georgia) - See all my reviews

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.