Deciding between 2 destinations Lisbon vs Crete – any help appreciated!

[Sammy]

Hi all

I need some advice to decide between 2 travel destinations and hotel recommendations and where better than amongst seasoned travellers!
Lisbon vs Crete, first week of May between 6-7 days.

Solo holiday, female, want an easy holiday, with fitness/reformer pilates classes, some exploring with things to do, and beach time, warm sea, some downtime and having a “mental break”.

Budget etc: I have the £200 Amex Travel credit from the Plat Card sign up bonus that I need to use – I don’t have status with any hotels but can sign up with the ones you get from the Plat card.

I don’t usually stay 5* but just want something safe and clean and comfortable, some luxury would be good. Max budget 1-.1.5k including flights. Flying from any LDN airports.

Any advice/suggestions welcome!

Thank you!

[omicron]

1st week of May could be a bit chilly for beach time in/around Lisbon. But for exploring the city and being active outdoors it’s a great time!

[NorthernLass]

It depends what you plan to do. Crete is more of a beach resort-type place and you need to generally hire a car or join an organised excursion to see the major archaeological sites, Lisbon is better for wandering on foot or taking public transport.

[RV]

Lisbon pros: lots to see and do, you can also hire a car for a couple of days to travel either north (Óbidos region) or East (Evora region) and explore the amazing countryside, visit wineries and actually stay in some of them. Food is great and fairly priced, service overall is very good. I love Portugal so I am very biased here 😬

Lisbon cons: It’s a city. You’d prob not find the same peace and quiet for a mental break/downtime that you’d find in Crete.

Also… although Costa da Caparica is lovely (south of Lisbon), you definitely will not get the warm sea in May!

[Richie]

Crete for beach time.

[NorthernLass]

For a “mental break” you can probably find plenty of hotels which offer things like yoga/pilates on Crete.

https://bookretreats.com/s/wellness-retreats/crete

[Erico1875]

Start of May, neither Lisbon or Crete will have warm sea.
Crete, being on the Med slightly better than Lisbon on the Atlantic.

[Richie]

Erico1875 wrote:

Start of May, neither Lisbon or Crete will have warm sea.
Crete, being on the Med slightly better than Lisbon on the Atlantic.

BTW There’s seatemperature.org for data.

I’ve had a sea swim at Elounda in late April.

[dougzz99]

Visited Lisbon last September. A very nice city and certainly interesting. What did surprise me was the level of tourists, everywhere felt crowded and restaurants were typically very busy. The giant cruise ship visible may have been part of that. The day we chose to go out to Sintra was an almost total bust, completely overrun. The hop on/off bus was so crowded you couldn’t see anything.

[LD27]

We’ve just come back from Lisbon. Girlie weekend Mother’s Day/daughter’s birthday. It would be an easy place to wander around alone. Good museums and galleries too. Uber cheap and so is Metro. Didn’t seem as busy as last year but still packed with tourists. The 28 tram was like the Northern Line on a busy morning commute to London! We took the train to Sintra which was so packed we gave up after an hour and returned to the more “sedate” Lisbon! Although there are some lovely beaches close by, I don’t think the sea would be warm in May. We stayed at the IC. The staff there are amazing and did everything they could to enable us to have a special time, including a card, a beautiful selection of cakes which we didn’t want to eat as the display was so lovely and some Port to wash it down! If you go to Lisbon, would definitely hire a car and drive into the beautiful countryside to sample wines, a more relaxed life and I’m sure you’ll find some hotels which will be relaxing. There is an Avis/Budget office next to the IC.

We spent our honeymoon in Crete towards the end of May many years ago. Although it was hot during the day, it could be cold at night. If you found a small bay, the sea should be warm enough to swim. If you enjoy walking, the Samaria Gorge is a nice trek from the mountains to the sea. When we left Omalos it was wet, low cloud and cold – it reminded us of the Scottish Highlands! When we got to Agios Roumeli at the end of the trek, we were swimming in the sea.

I think you will find more yoga/pilates/retreat type hotels/accommodation in Crete than Lisbon.

[Swifty]

Went to Crete last week before a half term in may and sea wasn’t massively warm but it was yummy and we swam. Lovely cheap massages on beach. Did need to hire a car or get bored. We found the pace and people really relaxing. Lisbon is busy and the sea will be more suited to watersports as windy and wavy usually. Food is great in both! I’d go back to Crete over Lisbon for the sea. As a single woman I’d prob get bored for a week in Crete on my own and it won’t be busy really. Things don’t get busy till proper season.

[NigelHamilton]

I’m a huge cheerleader for Lisbon, one of my favourite cities, and have sent clients there on trains as well as planes! But…for what you describe Crete is likely to be more up your street. You will probably get better value (and interest) at the independent hotels rather than the chains – for example have a look at the Serenissima Boutique Hotel in Chania Old Town which has really high ratings. Or do a tour of 2-3 places and include a beach hotel perhaps?

[Sammy]

Thanks all for your help and advice. I think I may do Lisbon (its been on my list also) – as long as its warm, I am ok with not having a beach and will see if I can do a day trip to a beach!