Portugal Guidebook
Guidebook corrections:
Please note: The following corrections were submitted by readers and have not yet been confirmed by Rick. Check updates from Rick for the latest.
In Porto, tastings at the Taylor and Croft port lodges are no longer free. Taylor is 3 euros and Croft is 3.50 euros but both continue to be worthwhile. Also, the Bahlao metro station is missing from the city maps.
Philip Brazil in Seattle, WA USA 05/17/2013
Not mentioned in Portugal 2013, but Hotel Ancona Mar in Nazare has a complimentary breakfast and 3-4 other hotels in Nazare do as well.
Philip Brazil in Seattle, WA USA 05/14/2013
In Sintra, the museums (Pena Castle, National Palace, castle of the moors etc) are no longer free on Sundays. They have changed ownership. Lisbon pass is still valid, and we really should have gotten an extra day to cover it.
Theresa in Los Angeles, CA USA 10/28/2012
#28 trolley in Lisbon is 2.85 and not 1.45 Julia Perreira's quartos was hard to find as the listing says it is above her daughter's cafe but does not name the cafe. ( in Nazare)
rita choquette in Campbell River. B.C. V9W2P2, Canada 10/21/2012
Douro Valley - Quinta do Panascal - no longer free. It is 3 euro and you get to taste 3 ports. this is applied year around. also closed between 1300-1400 every day so plan accordingly.
Coimbra - Old Cathedral (Se Velha) - no longer free. Euro 2
Ebora - Restaurante Cervejaria 1/4 Para As 9 - They no longer offer the E10 daily specials. Hours are now Thu-Tue 12:30-16:00 & 19:30-23:00 The information on cost and hours for the Cathedral is a bit confusing. Basically, the Tower and Museum are CLOSED ON MONDAY. The church is OPEN ON MONDAY.
on page 171 at the bottom of the page the walking instructions advise to "...pop into the ....(Travessa do Sertorio 26)" The address has changed to #6, across the walk way.
Salema - A Casinha - Closed. It is now a pizza place
Nazare -
gaylene donner in newcastle, wa USA 10/07/2012
We used the 2011 edition. A lot of the bus and train info was incorrect. We were told that there were a lot of changes in the past year. For example, the bus and train companies appear to have been merged so transferring tickets is pretty seamless.
Donald Wilen in New York, NY USA 09/24/2012
The walk to the top of Sintra (where the Pena Palace is located) actually takes about an hour, we were exhausted and had to ride the bus down! A must see though, extremely beautiful.
Sabrina Hofmeister in Milwaukee, WI USA 07/18/2012
Update on Evora transportation: Page 165 of the Sixth Edition states that train service between Lisbon and Évora is suspended until sometime in early 2012 because of construction of a high-speed train. That construction has been postponed, and the regular train service is back in operation. We opted for the bus, though. It is comfortable, runs more frequently, has free wifi, and the terminal was walking distance to our hotel (Marriott). $12.50 Euros one way. The terminal at Evora is so close to the walled city that it is not worth a cab ride, except if your feet hurt at the end of the day.
JAD in Valley Forge, PA USA 07/08/2012
In Lisboa, the fado restaurant you recommend in the Bairro Alyo, Canto do Camões is very disappointing -- singers with weak and warbly voices, tough fish left far too long on the grill, canned veggies in the salad. There were only two other couples in the place when we were there on a Friday night, but most of the other eateries in the area were jam-packed.
Also, A Nossa Churrasqueira in the Alfama is closed down, and Tasca do Manel shuts in July for vacation.
One more detail -- the Elevador da Gloria funicular is 3.5 euros, not 1.45!
Helen Binik in Montreal, QC Canada 07/06/2012
Disagree that the Castle in Lisbon isn't worth 7Euro to visit. It's interesting, and the views provided many wonderful pictures of the city. Also some shade trees/cafe for rest.
J Roeber in Carbondale, CO USA 06/07/2012
Several restaurants we ran into smoking sections adjacent to nonsmoking which means you're eating in the smoke. You might suggest that people ask if smoking is allowed in a restaurant and see if there ar enables far enough away from the smokers.
Rob in Mercer Island, Wa USA 03/09/2012
This is not exactly a correction, just a comment on the rating of the Bairro Alto and Chiado Stroll. The 6th edition guide gives it 3 "stars" as a must do item. Really, we found it should have rated one star--or may be one half. We could not get into the Port Wine Institute, the Sao Roque Church and the Convento do Carmo was closed for renovations. The Armazens do Chiado is just a shopping mall with many stores that you see in other places. The Alfama Stroll was about 100 times more interesting and it is also ranked with 3 "stars".
Christine in Igler, WI USA 11/21/2011
Lisbon: Via Viagem daily renewal cost is now 4.60 Euros. Lisbon: Film at Monument to the Discoveries was discontinued in September 2011; only thing open is the viewing point - Tower of Belem is the better option now, especially with Lisboa Card. Lisbon: Elevador de Santa Justa stairs to very top costs an extra 1.50 Euros over elevator ride, not covered by Lisboa Card. No cafe at very top. Lisbon: Most shops at Colombo Shopping Mall open until at least 23h00 (well past 22h00 anyway), if not midnight. Continente open until midnight daily. I notice that many Benfica soccer fans use the mall as a parking lot; so the shops stay open to capture that traffic when games end at 22h30.
Vince Bacani in Toronto, ON Canada 10/31/2011
Overall I love your guidebooks - we use them every time we travel to one of the European countries. Just one suggestion - on page 316 of this book and in some of your other recent books you've started suggesting that people stop using the mail and only use phoning and emailing because they are so easy. That is true for connecting with immediate family. But for staying in touch with friends and relatives a post card from a foreign country is still a great thing to receive in the mail - no one saves an email from a foreign land but a post card with a great photo and a stamp is still wonderful to receive. And a trip to the local post office is always an opportunity to interact with "real" people.
Kyle in San Francisco, CA USA 10/18/2011
In Coimbra the excellent fado at A Capella is all that is covered by the 10€ cover, not a drink and Residencia Coimbra, which we liked, no longer gives a 5% discount. Driving from Coimbra to Conimbriga, one can't go straight uphill after crossing the Santa Clara Bridge and a crucial sign is missing south of Condexia. Taking the A1 probably is the way to go.
Peter D. Springberg, MD in Fort Collins, CO USA 09/16/2011
In Coimbra the excellent fado at A Capella is all that is covered by the 10€ cover, not a drink and Residencia Coimbra, which we liked, no longer gives a 5% discount. Driving from Coimbra to Conimbriga, one can't go straight uphill after crossing the Santa Clara Bridge and a crucial sign is missing south of Condexia. Taking the A1 probably is the way to go.
Peter D. Springberg, MD in Fort Collins, CO USA 09/16/2011
Most stores in Lisbon are closed on Sunday so if you want to do a side trip this is a good time.
Most of the times listed in the book are incorrect so call ahead.
Catherine in Montreal, QC Canada 09/08/2011
I just returned from Portugal (June, 2011) and would NEVER say that the service in Lisbon's restaurant called "A Tasquinha" (pg 90) was "marginal". And it was NOT "touristy". There was one other American eating (I only knew that because he was reading the Steves' guidebook) and the others were decidely not tourists. The food at the restaurant was excellent when I was there! The niece of the owner invited us to sit outside on the terrace and she personally waited on us; her English was excellent and she was eager to show her uncle the Steves book review that I had with me, but, of course, she was disappointed about what you stated. I ordered Tuna a la Madeira (special of the day) for lunch and the tuna was exellent, just as she told me --- boneless with garlic and olive oil and potatoes. Please change your rating for this wonderful find!
Susan Mueller in Lake Forest Park, WA USA 06/25/2011
5th Edition April 2010: Monastery of Jeronimos in Belem is now 7 Euros. In Lisbon, Cervejaria Nacala at #53 on "Eating Lane" no longer exists. Had the best red wine of entire 2 week trip at Arturo's on right side of Eating Lane. In Porto, Hotel Internacional's prices are up 5-10 euros. Most prices at sites were higher.
Nancy Lloyd in Allentown, PA USA 06/12/2011
in Lisbon, waiters approach you on the street, follow you, talking to you in Portuguese apparently trying to entice you to eat at their restaurant. It bordered on harassment and was very annoying. They follow you until you wave them away repeatedly.
Pat in Marlborough, MA USA 05/17/2011
Sintra: the parking spot is on Rua do Porto, not Rio do Porto.
Alvaro HIdalgo in Berkeley, CA USA 05/15/2011
The Metro red line now connects San Sebastiao with Alameda (passing through Saldanha) so the map on p. 43 could be updated to show this.
Ruth Baer in Lexington, KY USA 05/07/2011
Price of trip on trolley is now 2.50 euros not 1.30. (p 38).
Joel Marcus in Media, PA USA 05/01/2011
Could you add Madeira to the Portugal guidebooks and programmes. It is a wonderful island where we have spent 3 consecutive winters. Truly a floating garden in the Atlantic.
Elizabeth Fleming in Toronto, On Canada 04/11/2011
Could you add Madeira to the Portugal guidebooks and programmes. It is a wonderful island where we have spent 3 consecutive winters. Truly a floating garden in the Atlantic.
Elizabeth Fleming in Toronto, On Canada 04/11/2011
Could you add Madeira to the Portugal guidebooks and programmes. It is a wonderful island where we have spent 3 consecutive winters. Truly a floating garden in the Atlantic.
Elizabeth Fleming in Toronto, On Canada 04/11/2011