I am hoping to book the Santandar ferry so thinking of traveling to Portugal. We normally go to Costa Brava Spain so wondering if to try Portugal this year. I have read that Portugal is cheap compared to rest of Europe. Major consideration as travelling with toddler,children, teenagers and elderly parents.
The roads from Santandar are fantastic to Costa Brava. So wondering if the roads to Portugal are the same easy drive? Or are there many cliff roads to drive (dont like them).
I went on google maps and says it will take approx 6.5 hrs from Santandar to Porto. Is this about right? Dont really want travel too far down as I've only got 2 weeks leave.
Any advice would be appreciated
------------- Kazy
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I would guess that 6.5 hrs from Santander to Porto is perhaps a bit ambitious, but then again I'm not sure about the roads inland from Santander towards Portugal.
I live in Gijon and that is two hours west of Santander along the coast and I can tell you that from here to Ribadeo on the coast just across the border in Galicia, westwards from here, takes about two hours also. The road is okay to drive along, no really nasty bends or steep uphill climbs thought here are parts which have not yet been converted to motorway.
If you don't fancy going too far, try Cantabria (the Santander area), Asturias or even Galicia. Beautiful scenery, lovely beaches...hills, mountains and lakes if you go inland. If you want any info about Asturias, just shout...
One last thing about Portugal.. I've heard that you have to pay on the roads now, but I'm not sure what that's all about. You might like to do a search in the messages to see if anyone has posted anything.
Hope this helps.
I echo that, Galicia and surrounding area really is lovely....Mmm Pulpo
As for tolls in Portugal, you have to pay on the motorways, some are totally automated and you need an electronic box/tag. You can hire these from Post Offices, but it is an awkward facility as you can't pay them until 48 hours after use.
We went to Portugal in July. Stayed at Tordesillas (El Astral) - great campsite and an afternoon's drive from Santander. Handy for town. Second time we have done this. It is excellent.
Caceres - good.
Vila Neuvo de Milfontes - great camping, (choice of two - either would be good);
Armacao de Pero - great town, the campsite nearer the town is OK.
Then Monte Gordo - DO NOT TOUCH WITH A BARGE POLE!
Thank you for all the replies. I should have mentioned that we want to be close to beach and town as the parents struggle with walking.
We have stayed around Northern Spain area which was lovely but a bit too much rain. Hoping to get 2 weeks sun so thats why i thought Portugal.
I'll have a look at all the above now.
Thank you once again
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Topic: Advice on travelling to Portugal
