Dear Guests
Now that you’ve hopefully had a wonderful holiday on the Lisbon coast, in Carcavelos, I’d really appreciate your feedback which will be available to future guests. I’m particularly interested in the ‘finds’ that you’ve made – be they restaurants, sights, shops, good places to take children/teenagers etc and aspects that you’d want others not to miss out on but to enjoy as much as you did.
Thanks and I hope you’ll visit again soon.
Best regards
Brid
July 2015
What a great week we had in Carcavelos. The apartment was perfect – spacious, beautifully decorated, well-equipped and in an excellent location. Carcavelos has a lovely long beach with good waves (useful for body-boarding!), a great little supermarket just a minute from the apartment and the tennis club just a couple of minutes away was another bonus for us. Lisbon is a must for a visit and very accessible by the frequent trains. Guincho Beach is another great place to visit – fantastic beach – windy and big waves, popular with surfers and kite-surfers – quite a spectacle. Thanks Brid for letting us stay in your lovely apartment and introducing us to Portugal!
Karen, Brian, Thomas and Jack
Still staggering around in a sadly disorientated fashion, due to the after-effects of a whole week in lovely Lisbon. What do they put in those pasteis de nata?
We had a great time (April 22-29). The weather was pretty good with only one day of light of rain – which didn’t prevent us getting out and about.
Good thing we didn’t make any firm plans for the week as we ended up at concerts, beaches, unexpected side-trips… and never got to our No. 1 target (the Gulbenkian) at all!
We enjoyed listening to piano practice from downstairs and to the macaw saying ‘Ola’ to passers-by.
All was well with the apartment. Thanks very much.
Another wonderful visit in early April. Welcomed by 28 degree temperatures and bright blue skies. Spent a lot of time on the balcony, basking in the sun.
This time we hired a car and drove down to the small town of Sesimbra on the coast south of Lisbon. It’s got some good fish restaurants and a wonderful castle overlooking the hinterland. In the castle grounds is a lovely chapel, decorated wall to ceiling with tiles. We weren’t able to spend time in the town but it looks well worth wandering around. You need a car to get there tough and to see the castle.
We also took a drive around the Sintra National Park. I don’t think Cabo da Roca is so wonderful, but – if you don’t mind narrow lanes – it’s nice to explore the nearby villages.
We had a good meal in the fish restaurant nearby – Marisqueira Atlantico – and an even better one in Taverno do Rogerio:
It’s not so much authentic Portuguese food as a development of the meat and bacalhau basics into something altogether much more tasty. Highly recommended – worth the half hour walk (or you can get a taxi if you don’t have a car).
My friend and I stayed in Brid’s apartment in mid-March. It’s spacious and decorated beautifully in quite a Portugese theme. It has all facilities of course. The front and back gardens are both beautiful. And it was great having WIFI.
The weather was sunny if a bit nippy, allowing us to be adventurous. We enjoyed a day in Sintra, visiting the mountain and palaces. The Moorish castle was a hair raising experience. We discovered a lovely place called ‘The Bakery’ and their pastries are a must.
We also visited Cabo da Roca which is a cape on the coast of Sintra with a lighthouse and the most panaramic views on the Atlantic.
We also visited Cascais which is great for shopping and is on the sea. It has amazing fish restaurants along with Irish bars.
Lisbon too has plenty of sightseeing places – St Antonio’s Church, the Square, the Bridge, Hard Rock Cafe etc. And it was great fun finding our way around on the local transport!
We had our absolute best meal at Atlantico Restaurant, just 2 mins walk from the apartment. It was so good we had to go back a second time! Whether you want fresh fish, seafood or steak, Atlantico is perfect.
The beach at Carcavelos is long and the sand is really fine and feels good under your feet.
There’s a book in the apartment full of local information which was great. And Rui, who collected us from the airport, was also an amazing guide.
Anne and Gabriella
We stayed in Brid’s lovely apartment at the beginning of October and had a truly relaxing week.
The apartment is very comfortable and beautifully decorated with colourful artworks and is equipped with everything you could need. I hadn’t expected such a large kitchen and with space to sit! The beds are very comfortable and we slept extremely well as the block is very peaceful.
The location is perfect with an easy 5 minute stroll to the huge and beautiful beach, shops and restaurants are just minutes away. My 32 year old son is a keen surfer and he enjoyed the largely uncrowded waves at Carcavelos beach. Lisbon is about 20 minutes away by frequent trains.
I spent a lot of time reading on the balcony overlooking the green square, or lounging in the reclining armchairs.
We didn’t do a huge amount of exploring, but the coastal walks are fabulous and we enjoyed a couple of trips into Lisbon, where we wandered about getting a feel for the city which is both fascinating and beautiful. I can thoroughly recommend the castle; it’s very atmospheric and the gorgeous views over the city make the climb up to it more than worthwhile.
We also visited the new ‘Time Out’ Mercado da Ribeira, close to Santos station and just one stop from Cais do Sodré rail and metro station. This is now a space with a huge variety of places to eat and drink in – choose a table and take your pick of food and drink. I can particularly recommend the stall serving foods a la tartare – the tuna tartare is an absolute treat and prepared with enormous care in front of you. It’s open Sunday to Wednesday from 10am to midnight and Thursday to Saturday from 1am to 2am.
Brid’s friend Rui, who collected us and took us back to the airport (including surfboard), was both charming, kind and a great source of local knowledge. We can thoroughly recommend a visit to Carcavelos and Brid’s lovely apartment.
We had a wonderful holiday in your lovely and comfortable apartment in Sept. We found everything we could possible need in it. The area is great with easy access to that beautiful, long, sandy beach. There are plenty of very good places to eat close at hand and some nice shops in the hotel complex just across the road.
It was lovely to have the train station within easy walking distance and we made good use of it, visiting local towns and villages. There was lots of useful information at the apartment for us to read and we followed some of the tips left by previous guests.
I would definitely enjoy another holiday at your apartment and hopefully stay longer next time as a week is not enough to enjoy all there is to see and do nearby. We also found the local Portuguese people extremely friendly and helpful – a real bonus.
Jan and Ann
We stayed in Brid’s place in August. The apartment and place were amazing. It has free wi-fi which meant our two girls were happy. It had everything we wanted and felt like a home from home (apart from my home is only like it in my dreams!).
The location is fabulous- the beach just 5 minutes away and, like the guide book said, it’s the best, nearest beach to Lisbon. It’s so handy for the train station which means you can go up and down the Lisbon coast with ease.
We loved going to the westernmost point of the continental land mass. And the Zoo is great. Seems very popular with Lisbonites also. We didn’t get to Central Lisbon. That’ll be in our next trip’s itinerary.
We will go again and again!
We had a lovely time in Brid’s appartment – the best I’ve stayed in!
Carcavelos is a perfect holiday location with good transport links. We went to Lisbon several times and found a rather nice restaurant called ‘Salgadeiras’ in Rua da Salgadeiras in Bairro Alto – not too expensive and most importantly, not too touristy. Cascais (at the end of the Lisbon coast train ride) is great for a day out and then a walk back…. well perhaps not all the way! We also had a lovely day in Sintra. Travelling around on public transport is fun and cheap.
We spent 3 days in Porto which is well worth visiting and as we stayed with friends, we got the real deal. There are so many things to see and do, but reading on the beach with the Atlantic waves crashing in (not venturing in I’m afraid) takes some beating.
Obrigada, Brid!
A memorable vacation on the coast of Lisbon surrounded by comfort, beauty and good food! Day trips to Lisbon, Sintra, Oiras and Obidos were fun and convenient by public transportation. Evenings out in Cascais were entertaining. Long lazy days relaxing over breakfast and sunning on the beach have provided the perfect stress reliever.
We’ve had a great time walking the coast and stopping frequently for an aperitif, snack or coffee. There us so much to see and so many ways to enjoy oneself.
I’m now really looking forward to a final week in the Azores.
Thanks Brid for providing us with such a fabulous holiday.
Just to let you know we had another fabulous holiday in your Lisbon coast apartment. We did a couple of really enjoyable trips to Lisbon and Sintra, including to Quinta da Regaleira as you recommended, which the kids particularly liked. Hannah did surf school for a couple of mornings too and we had some lovely food beach-side. Many thanks for letting us stay in your lovely place, again. Ginny and family.
A really well equipped apartment ideally located for the tranquility of the beach and the bustling historic city of Lisbon. Lots of amenities nearby, such as a modern supermarket and lots of bars and restaurants. Everything you need for whatever type of holiday you want.
Thanks Bríd. I’ll certainly be going back for more and hopefully for longer next time.
So here’s the situation! You’re not getting your apartment back! We’ve locked ourselves in with fortifications learned from the Moors (decorated in Manueline style) protected by canons from the Naval Museum (and a few stingrays and sharks borrowed from the aquarium) and some scientific tricks learned in the Science Pavilion. Stocked up with pastries and Super Bock we can stay the course – but if things get too hot we can escape to the beach via our own cable car!!!
Brid, we’ve had a fabulous time (June 11-18). Thanks so much. The apartment is great and in a great location. The weather was hot – in the 30’s every day – so being near the beach was fantastic. We’ll recommend Lisbon and your apartment to friends who might be interested. We really enjoyed all aspects of the city as well as our trip to Sintra.
Deema (15) really enjoyed the beach, the Science Pavilion and Aquarium, the castles (Castelo de Sao Jorge and the Moorish Castle in Sintra), the Naval Museum and the architecture of Mosteiro dos Jeronimos in Belem. Other than the obvious sights, a real gem was the Monastery, Igreja de São Vicente da Fora, in Alfama district. John, Anne & Deema.
Four of us stayed here for five nights in mid-May. I wish it had been longer and I definitely want to return. Brid’s apartment is one of the nicest holiday homes I’ve ever stayed in, and I’ve been telling all my friends they should go there. Great beach, shops, bars, eateries all convenient and nearby. Train to Lisbon just a short walk away.
We went into Lisbon twice. Didn’t make any great discoveries but had a couple of nice days out. We followed the guidebook instructions to take the ‘scenic’ 28 tram. Unfortunately every other tourist must have had the same guidebook, and there was an hour long queue (at least), so we didn’t bother. We were happy to wander around and get a feel for the city.
The next day we took an open-top bus tour. Two companies cover various routes. Our Yellow Bus Co took us mainly around the outskirts of town so maybe we didn’t choose too well. But we did end up at the Maritime Museum, Praça do Império, Belem, which was amazing. Belem is a bit of a museums quarter, so there are lots of other places to visit there – all quite interesting.
All in all, we had a fantastic mini-break. I could happily have stayed in Brid’s lovely apartment the whole time and just relaxed with a book (while everyone else cooked dinner!), but it seemed churlish to go all that way and not take a look around.
Highly recommended. We’ll be going back there as soon as we can.
John and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay from 16-23 April in this terrific apartment. We were met at the airport by Brid’s friend Rui who chatted about Portugal and football and life in general as he drove us to the apartment and showed us around.
This friendly welcome was much appreciated. We felt very comfortable in the apartment and it was really great to have all the added extras and homely touches that you wouldn’t expect in a holiday rental, including books and DVDs and all the essentials for easy living!
Our aim was clear and simple – do almost nothing but walk, read, eat and drink well for a week. We didn’t plan to take in the sights or make the most of the easy access to multiple attractions. We saved that for another visit. We achieved our aim with no difficulty – lazy mornings with breakfast on the balcony, long daily walks along the beach (averaging about 16,000 steps per day on a pedometer!), hours of reading, and simple lunches. We were very fortunate with the weather – warm and sunny every day.
We had brought our own good books (mainly Karl Ove Knusgaard’s trilogy) but while I waited for John to finish the second book, I also fitted in one of Brid’s books called ‘The First Global Vilage: How Portugal Changed The World’. This gave me a great overview of Portuguese history over the past two millennia.
We ate out in a different place each evening – all the meals were good and very reasonably priced. (We’ve made the same mistake as other guests in not making note of the restaurants we particularly enjoyed but they included a couple on the beach and the fish restaurant on the corner in the Square near the apartment.) We took a longer than planned walk one evening and ended up in a smallish but very popular local restaurant in Sao Pedro do Estoril.
Our two minor excursions included an afternoon in Cascais which included a trip to the Paula Rego exhibition and a walk to the Poet’s Park in Oireas, near to the Shopping Centre. It’s a lovely green space with statues of Portuguese poets and writers. There is no doubt that if we are feeling more energetic on our next visit, we will take in the attractions of Sintra and Lisbon. However, this location offers the opportunity to do it all or to do next to nothing – best of all worlds!
We had a great time in the apartment and overall after an initial few grey and overcast days.
The Pena Palace in Sintra is wonderful, has amazing views and will appeal to all.The Moors castle offers great walks along the ramparts and when the clouds roll in it feels very other worldly!
Travel
We got a 7 day beach ticket at the train station for just 12 euros each. This allowed us non-stop travel between Lisbon and Cascais. We hopped on and off trains at Belem, Estoril, Cascais. A real bargain.
The walk from Estoril to Cascais is particularly lovely and there are exrecise machines if you want to do some stretching.
Swimming
My niece and I are keen swimmers. Cascais beach was nice but too shallow. It’d probably be great for little ones. Estoril however was perfect: deep water, very safe and sheltered and lots of fish to watch. But no jellyfish!
The local Riviera Hotel pool costs just 5 Euros per person between 6-8pm. It’s usually very quiet by then and is lovely and refreshing after a long day of sightseeing. There’s also ping pong and table football.
Food
Atlantico in the local square was great for seafood. The restaurant on the beach at Estoril is great for sun-downers and dinner. Local small restaurants serve basic but good food.
The Carcavelos market is pure trash. Don’t bother!
Sally, Agnes and Freya
Thank you for all the decorative touches and helpful travel guides.
We especially enjoyed our maany beach walks.
Our visit to Quinta da Regalaria in Sintra was memorable and we’d recommend it highly.
Melissa, Clive, Alex & Daniel.
Durham, North Calorina
We had a great time in early June though not such good weather. Mostly we followed the well-worn trails already outlined by your previous guests so not much to add. Except maybe the POIS, CAFE in Lisbon which was very nice indeed – very comfy for chilling out in, great food & friendly service – http://www.poiscafe.com.
Also in Cascais we wandered into the lovely house next to the SANTA MARTA LIGHTHOUSE AND MUSEUM called Museu Condes de Castro. It’s the former home of a Count, now bequeathed to the town. It has beautifully kept rooms, decor and furniture and wonderful old tiled murals brought, I think, from an old church. It’s free to enter and the volunteer guides are very helpful. There was also a not so interesting photography exhibition.
The apartment deserves all the accolades that previous guests have described – extremely comfortable and well-equipped and we will recommend it to others.
Thanks again & best wishes
Jan & Ralph
Ma mère et moi avons beaucoup apprécié notre première et court visite à Lisbonne de fin avril à debut juin.
J’ai beaucoup aimé passer du temps sur la longue plage de sable de Carcavelos ainsi que nager dans l’ocean Atlantique qui était tout de même moins froid qu’au bord des plages d’Irlande où j’ai l’habitudede passer mes vacances d’été. Les vagues n’était pas trés puissantes mais faisaient le bonheur de quelques surfeurs.
La visite du “gypsy market” (le marché tzigane qui a lieu tous les jeudis matins) était très intéressante. On pouvait y voir énormement de commerçants et des visiteurs. On y trouve de tous! Que ce soit des habits, chaussures, bijoux, lunettes, sacs ou linge de maison en tout genre. Nous y avons trouvé notre bonheur!
Nous avons passé une journeé à pied dans Lisbonne où nous avons pu visité (gratuitement) de nombreuses églises et autre monuments historiques comme le Couvent Carmen ou se tenait une exposition sur l’histoire de la police/garde national. Je me suis beaucoup amusée sur une des activités proposées dont le but était de diriger un orchestre virtuel. J’ai également pu tester mes talents de photographe sur la magnifique chaussée de la ville.
Nous avons assiste à une représentation théâtrale en anglais à Estrala jouée par “The Lisbon Players”. D’après moi, cette piece était ennuyante, elle m’a carrément endormie. Nous sommesparties à l’entracte. Nous avons prit le métro puis un train pour rentrer à l’appartement.
J’ai apprécié séjourner dans l’appartement car il est assez grand, luxueux et lumineux. La salle de bain est magnifique avec son carrelage bleue. C’est trés agréable de prendre son petit déjeuner sur la balcon le matin.
J’éspère y retourner bientôt. Claire (15).
Roughly translated, the above says…….
My Mum and I enjoyed our first short trip to Lisbon at the end of May/beginning of June.
I loved the long sandy beach in Carcavelos and enjoyed swimming in the Atlantic ocean which wasn’t as cold as I’m used to in Ireland. The waves were not nearly powerful enough for me however!
I enjoyed visiting the gypsy market on Thursday morning. There were lots of traders and visitors, as well as lots of ‘stuff’ to buy – clothes, shoes, bags, bed linen, towels, jewellery, pottery etc. I bought a pretty blue, glass necklace and my friend bought an imitation, designer handbag.
We spent a day in Lisbon city walking around and travelling on the metro, visiting churches and historic buildings like the Carmen Convent (now a civic centre) where a history of the police was exhibited. I really liked the unusual cobblestone pavement designs and took lots of photos.
We went to see a play performed in English by The Lisbon Players, in the Estrela Theatre but I didn’t understand it and fell asleep! But I enjoyed the train ride home along the coast afterwards.
I really liked the apartment: it was big, bright and spacious and I loved the bathroom colour and design! It was fun to have breakfast on the balcony also. I hope we go there again soon.
Claire (15).
This place is perfect for a holiday with children (ours were 8 and 5). Carcavelos itself is a great place for a day or two if the weather is good. The apartment is excellent for a family holiday (family of our size anyway) – all mod cons, comfy, a supermarket nearby, and only a 10 minute saunter to a lovely beach. We spent most time on the little bit of beach at the top end – hardly anyone else there so it was almost like a little beach to ourselves. If your kids like sea and sand they will have an hilarious time, like ours did, chasing waves, making sandcastles, finding other kids to do the same with. They never wanted to leave. The beach goes on for a long stretch though, which we didn’t really have time to explore. It looks great – cafes (beer and snails as speciality! but loads of ice cream), sand, sunbeds and lots of people surfing and doing other sports.
When it comes to other places/beaches though, be sure to head to Estoril and Cascais (you can walk to the latter along a lovely prom from the former). You get there on the little train that runs along the stretch of coast from Lisbon to Cascais. Estoril has great rock pools and a really good beach, also a little castle, and a nice grassy park in front of the massive Casino (a stream with goldfish and little waterfalls among trees at the side where our kids had a little adventure for a good hour). We would suggest you avoid eating in Estoril though – it’s overpriced and not very nice.
Instead, head along the prom and eat in one of the sea-front places (grilled fish and meat, kids menu with spag bol and pizza – all very nice). Cascais is a lovely, lovely seaside place. The beaches are really good (the sea all along the coast here is crystal clear) and the town itself has loads of bars, gift shops, ice cream, cafes and even a McDonalds if the kids are really pining.
If the weather is not so good (or anyway) you could spend lots of days having a great time with the kids in Lisbon. We did two days-out there. On the first, after taking the train from Carcavelos, we got a tram that took us all over Lisbon (a 90 minute ride) taking in the sights. It is an interesting looking (very hilly) city, and if time allowed you could do a lot more on foot, looking at the shops, castle, taking other trams and a lift to the top of a historic building. There really is lots to do. After lunch on the main Square where the tram stops and starts, we wandered and then took the train back to Carcavelos for some more beach time.
Our second Lisbon day took in an open top bus (the yellow one – there is another red bus company which we didn’t get time to go on) that took us way out to the East of the city, where the Expo site (now Parque de Nacoes) is. This is a massive place, but the main fun things for kids are the Aquarium (great otters!) and also the cable car ride. The open bus back to Lisbon is a long ride however (about an hour). It’s interesting to see more of city, but a bit too long for the kids. (Otherwise there is a Metro stop quite nearby).
With more time we would have done more Lisbon (a boat ride for sure), beaches and Sintra.
We will be back!
Back to reality after a wonderful few days break in Brid’s beautifully appointed apartment in sunny Carcavelos. We took the airport bus to Cais do Sodre and then the train to Carcavelos, reaching the apartment in less than an hour. Passing through the city of Lisbon I was most impressed by the mixture of old and new, the cleanliness of the city, the modern buildings as well as the tile mosaics and wrought iron balconies. Even the graffiti was a work of art and quite tasteful.
The apartment itself is so comfortable, with every imaginable convenience, even Wifi! Situated in a quiet square, 10 mins walk from train station and less than 8 from a long sandy beach. There’s a well stocked supermarket just round the corner and lots of smaller, interesting shops in the village.
How we walked for the next 4 days! First to the beach, then the neighbouring town of Cascais, lunching on a balcony overlooking the lighthouse, walking the promenade by the marina and exploring the quaint craft shops adjoining the harbour. The Portuguese seem very much into their crafts.
On Saturday we explored Lisbon, riding the 28 tram across the city from the beautiful Basilica at Estrela to Graca. We explored churches and parks, all beautifully kept and well presented and appreciated the view of the city across to the river from the Graca viewpoint. Our visit to the famous flea market in Alfama yielded little of interest. I was however impressed by the beautiful pottery and china on sale but not much else caught my eye. We consoled ourselves with coffee and delicious custard tarts before returning to Carcavelos to watch ‘The night train to Lisbon’ in a small intimate village cinema opposite the station.
Sunday was spent on the other side of the river, visiting the majestic statue of Christ the King overlooking the city of Lisbon, gazing down at the humming April 24th bridge. This is the twin sister of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and it spans the river Tagus just before where it meets the Atlantic. We then visited a gallery of modern art before lunching at Ponte Final. Unfortunately all the outside tables were taken and there was a queue so we sat inside. We ended the day visiting the beautifully restored frigate ship in the harbour.
All in all it was a wonderful break in a beautiful city. The only minus was my inability to understand any of the language, but I managed to get by and even succeeded in getting myself back to the airport independently!
I’ve been to the Algarve twice but it doesn’t compare in any way to the beautiful place that is Carcavelos and Lisbon. Thanks to Brid for her hospitality, to Alex, Triona and Claire for the good company. Hope to revisit soon!
I had a great holiday on the Lisbon coast which was made all the better because of this lovely flat, with every kind of comfort and a lot of useful information about the locality. I really can’t think of anything that could be improved in the accommodation; it is comfortable and stylish and a peaceful haven to return to after a long day’s sight seeing .
The trains, supermarkets and beaches are all very accessible and Lisbon is a short commute away. You’d have a job finding a better pied a terre! I really recommend it.
We are a family of five adults and we spent a very enjoyable 8 days in this bright and spacious apartment at the beginning of Sept 12.There were loads of nice touches and we appreciated the small library of books and in particular the DVDs that we used to study basic Portuguese. The travel guides and movies were also very useful.
The weather was brilliant and we spent a lot of time on the beach and had loads of fun being tossed about by the great Atlantic rollers. The big sun-umbrella was much appreciated too seeing as it was so hot on the beach!
We spent a day in Lisbon which was really easy to get to by train and we did the main sights and rode the trams. In the evening we met some Lisbon friends in a bar that was a converted railway workers club. This was on the roof, overlooking the river, giving a wonderful view as well as being both trendy and friendly. The address is Clube Ferroviário, Santa Engrácia, Rua de Santa Apolónia 59. http://www.lisbonlux.com/magazine/the-10-best-rooftop-bars-and-terraces-in-lisbon/
On Thursday morning we went to the busy, bright, flea market near to Carcavelos train station. The men weren’t too keen on it but the women enjoyed it immensely! It’s a good place to stock up on light cotton clothing and sandals.
We also enjoyed bar snacks and cocktails at the nearby Hotel Riviera….and they were not too expensive either.
On Sunday, we went to Belem but it was absolutely packed with tourists. We were told that three cruise ships had docked which would’ve accounted for the influx of tourists. It’s also free to go into museums on Sundays till 2pm….so we’d recommend that visitors avoid Sunday mornings there. Still, it was enjoyable just walking along the sea front and we had a pleasant lunch in a restaurant in the Marina close to the Monument to the Discoveries.
Last but not least, we had delicious, fresh, brown croissants every morning that we got from the local supermarket in the shopping mall, as well as loads of fresh fruit. A great holiday.
Had a lovely time. Thank you Brid!
The flat was perfect.
Enjoyed sorties into Lisbon.
Restaurant Gioconda in the nearby square (Praca de Junqueiro) had lovely seafood.
Fran, John, Hannah, Hugh and Judith.
A wonderfully relaxing mini-break taken in early June was most enjoyable.
I loved the convenience of your apartment for the vast, sandy beach (just
a short stroll way) and then everything else one might need for a lazy
break; bright clean well stocked supermarket so close, as well as a choice
of restaurants. I enjoyed the bright and airy apartment, with all mod
cons, and being able to look out into the gardens at tree level! (I guess
the “convenience” thing was partically noticeable to me who has to plan
well ahead for supermarket shop and then hope not to have forgotten
anything because it’s a half day gone on that expedition for us in the
mountains!) Once we had decided to shift ourselves further afield and do
some sight seeing, it was great to find that trains and buses were not far
away and inexpensive too; we enjoyed our day out to Sintra via Cascais,
both are well worth a visit and places I would definitely go back to. All in all,
it was a great holiday and I very much hope to be back again one day soon.
Meanwhile I look forward to welcoming you to my Gite for four people in the
French Pyrénées – http://www.tapovan-massat.com
I have really enjoyed the two stays I have had in this apartment. It’s comfortable and well-situated. I love the beach even when it is really crowded it’s still relaxed and people are clearly there to have a good time, enjoying beach games and the surf! It’s possible to spend hours watching the surfers test their technique (I think it’s a learners’ and intermediates’ beach, not one for major thrill seekers). Those beaches are further west. The second time I hired a car so it was easier to get further afield. Although it’s possible to get a bus to Cabo de Roca, it’s easier by car, and you can also tour along the lovely winding roads into the national park between Sintra and Cascais and then up the coast to some gorgeous wild Atlantic beaches. (I would be wary of going into Lisbon by car however. The highway (A5) tunnels under central Lisbon from the west and unless you are very alert to the signs, you can get tangled up in some complex one way systems – at least that was my experience!).
This is a great apartment – spacious, comfortable and quiet. It was fab to be so close to the beach and supermarket, made lazy days very relaxing indeed! And when we were feeling more energetic it was easy to get about using trains which are really frequent and quick. There’s loads to do, just sorry we ran out of time to do everything – would love to go back!
I spent a week in Carcavelos at the end of May/beginning of June and it was most enjoyable. I walked most days along the seafront towards Parede and beyond. It was so interesting: there are a few small secluded beaches en route and plenty of rocks that local fishermen cast from. The fishing was plentiful in the area then. Some even had three lines going at one time and they’d caught a lot of squid and octopus. The weather was not too hot so excellent for walking which meant I could walk for extended periods. There are a variety of new builds on the right hand side of the road (Marginal) which range from exclusive villas, new apartments and a few very old buildings which in the main, sadly, were for sale’. In places, some of the rocks looked volcanic and huge boulders had been added to them to, I think, prevent erosion. I would’ve loved to have explored this area more but that’ll have to wait for another visit!! The huge beach was always busy with surfers-some attending the local surf school(s) and practicing their moves on the beach before hitting the waves. The sea was dotted with more experienced surfers who seemed to spend hours in the waves. It’s fun to sit by the cafes over a drink and to watch them surf.
We had a lovely 4-day break and found the apartment delightfully comfortable and tranquil. Everything we could have needed was there. It’s an excellent base, just a short stroll to the local beach where we found expansive sands, lashings of sunshine and a surfy sea. Grocery shopping was done with minimal fuss and effort betwixt beach and apartment. We had an excellent fish dinner in the little square along the same route. Another night we ate in and enjoyed a dvd and a few beers. On our third day we walked up to the nearby station and went by train to Cascais, then onwards by bus to Sintra. On our way back in the early evening, we went to see Eduardo Souto de Moura’s Paula Rego museum – but just the outside as we were too late for the opening hours (10.00-19.00). We found an excellent and very affordable restaurant opposite the museum as well as a nice unpretentious little bar – both of which I’d highly recommended, but I’ll have to check their names! On our last day we walked the coastal route towards Lisbon. We regretted having so little time: due to the attractions of the Carcavelos beach and the sunny weather we didn’t even go into Lisbon. We promised ourselves that we’d return again to visit Lisbon, revisit Cascais (the Museum and more) and Sintra for more exploration. The local people were friendly, helpful and courteous. Altogether it’s a highly recommended place to stay as well as a great place for a (not too short) beach and city break!
We were here for four days only but had SUCH an amazing time! Our favourite place was the Belem monastery, the cloisters were a beautiful sight and definitely had the ‘wow’ factor, made even better by the fabulous weather and we enjoyed our sandwiches by the outside fountain.
In Lisbon the castle was lovely and the views spectacular. We had lunch in Graca in the shade and looked out over the city and the sea from another great viewpoint.
Despite the sea being quite chilly we had great fun and spent hours in it among the great waves, admiring the surfers and bodyboarders. One in particular styled a lovely helmet accompanied by flippers and a bright red wetsuit!!
The flat was lovely. Thank you very much!!
PS The shopping centre in Chaido where FNAC is has brilliant views from the toilet window! A lovely surprise!!
Penny, Alex, Camilla and Charlotte.
Passamos o último Natal neste apartamento em Carcavelos. Tivemos uma estadia muito confortável e aconchegante, o apartamento é moderno, mas conserva um ambiente gostoso para passar uma temporada. Tem acesso muito fácil de transporte público e também de supermercados e lojas, e por ser totalmente equipado possibilita a preparação de qualquer tipo de refeição.
Portugal é sem dúvida um país muito acolhedor e com uma cultura fantástica. Lisboa tem um encanto especial com suas ruas pequenas, com bares e restaurantes muito charmosos que nos convidam a apreciar os sabores típicos. Realmente recomendo experimentar os pastéis de Belém na pastelaria principal de Belém, com um bom café e história. No centro de Lisboa, existem pequenos bares que vendem “ginginha” e que concentram muitos moradores que vem sempre a tomar um licor e conversar com os amigos. Logo no bairro alto existem muitos outros bares que se pode sentar e ver a cidade de cima e tomar uma boa “amarguinha”. Acredito que os sabores são uma parte importante para descobrir Portugal.
Roughly translated, that says
We spent last Christmas in this apartment in Carcavelos. We had a very comfortable and cozy stay. The apartment is modern, but retains an ambient environment in which to spend the season. It has easy access to public transport and to supermarkets and stores, and, being fully equipped, allows for the preparation of any type of meal.
Portugal is undoubtedly a very welcoming country with a fantastic culture. Lisbon has a special charm with its small streets, charming bars and restaurants that invite us to enjoy the typical flavours. I really recommend trying the custard tarts with a good coffee in historic Belém. In the centre of Lisbon, small bars sell the famous ‘ginjinha’ (a liqueur made from cherry-like ginja berries fermented in brandy) that some residents take while chatting with friends. In the heights of Bairro Alto there are lots of bars where you can sit and watch the city from above while taking a good almond-flavoured liqueur. I believe that these flavors are an important part of discovering Portugal.
We’re a family of four with two teenage girls aged 13 and 15, and we all had a great time over the end of July and beginning of August. We loved the spacious apartment, close to the beach and shopping, and the girls loved the TV – the Portuguese don’t do dubbing so they could watch all their favourite shows!! And although some DVD’s are supplied it’s best to bring a supply of your favourites.
We loved the beach and enjoyed the big waves and soft sand. We saw lots of much younger children playing in the warm sandy pools left on the beach when the tide goes out. This would also be a great place to take youger kids to for a beach holiday.
The teens were forced to come on an enlightening trip to St Jorge’s Castle with us and they even managed to enjoy that! The trip up the hill on the old-fashioned Tram 28 delighted them and, after we made them walk the gardens and battlements, they were able to join the little festival inside the walls, listening to the music, watching the belly-dancing and going to the shop booths.
The monastery at Belem was cool, Estoril is lovely (with the famous Casino ‘Royal’ in the gardens) and eating out at the traditional little restaurants was a tasty and very reasonably priced way to spend the long evenings.
We’ll all happily come to Lisbon again.
Sean & Jo Bell
We are a family of five people that had a wonderful stay in Carcavelos. We spend our days between our farm near Obidos that we are currently renovating and the beach in Carcavelos. I am a surfer, so I obviously thought I was in the middle of paradise.
We did not get to explore the local area that much but the feeling was great. With small children it was extremely convenient to have the beach and such good shopping so close.
The apartment was very comfortable, great beds and a super functional kitchen.
Thanks for everything.
Sixten, Lene, Leslie, Lucca, Bjørk
We really enjoyed our stay in the apartment. We went to Cascais one day and visited the Paula Rego foundation and then wandered around the streets of this charming town. We spent another couple of days exploring Lisbon and I particularly enjoyed visiting the Tile Museum (Museo do Azulejo) housed in a former convent over to the East of Lisbon. No visit to Lisbon is complete without a visit to the Conserveira de Lisboa to experience the extraordinary beauty of hand-wrapped tins of sardines. The best way to explore these areas is definitely on foot: that way you can capture the charm of Portugal in unexpected, hidden corners.
We stayed in the apartment last week. With the hot weather it’s nice to open the windows on both sides and cool down with the draught. Bed was very comfy and the beers in the fridge nice and cold. For stocking up the fridge, there’s a supermarket in the Riviera Shopping Centre just across the road, literally one minute’s walk away. On the beach 6-8 minutes walks from the apartment, besides swimming, you’ll find plenty of restaurants. Great sunset can be observed from here. Sit on the rocks below the fortrees and watch the fishermen against the sunset, with or without a beer. Very nice indeed. All in all, we had a very nice stay and can warmly recommend the apartment and Carcavelos to others.
Paul & Maria.