Northwest Portugal

Just 30 minutes by train from Lisbon, Cascais village offers the visitor a quiet relaxing time.

Visitors to Caiscais have a choice of sun worshipping on harbour beach or on one of the many coves – though in peak seasons all the beaches become fairly packed.

Marina

A short distance from the "village" centre a new marina offers additional restaurants and bars – some of which stay open late.

Around the corner from the Marina there are a number of resort hotels catering for the golfing fraternity.

Just a 30 minute train ride from Lisbon – lies Cascais at the end of the line.

The town is picturesque – with views of the sandy coves and beaches from the cobbled streets of the town.

Casicais has excellent facilities for overnights – with a number of Hotels and guesthouses close to the sea.

Activities

The town offers a number of activities for when one is tired of lying on the sun baked sand – skiing, water tubing, biking, sea safari and much more can be organised through the local operators.

Lisbon

The capital city Lisbon is only a 30 minute train ride and is well worth the trip – as the train enters Lisbon – it travels along the river estuary as it opens out into an interesting vista.

The beach front at Estoril is popular in summer. It winds along the coast for a number of KM to Cascais.

Estoril was once the holiday destination of royalty and the wealthy classes. The grandeur of the buildings dates to this time of prosperity.

Today the main tourist attraction is the Casino and a place to overnight while golfing on the numerous and excellent championship courses.

The casino can't be missed – sitting at the top of the Parque do Estoril.

The Parque is the centre of this poorly defined town with a minimal town centre and sprawling suburbs. 

Praia de Tamariz is Estoril's long sandy beach – hidden from the streets by the rail line – is accessible through a number of underpasses .

The beach continues hugging the railway line all the way to Caiscais is a place for sun worshippers – so take a break from the golf or the roulette and top up your tan.

Train

Estoril is with easy reach of Lisbon – being only about 25 minutes by train – the trains are frequent throughout the day.

You can also hop on a train

Sintra with it's narrow streets, moorish fortifications and of course the castle of the kings, is place top visit, even in the rain

Sintra is high on the list of tours – with many bus tours operating from Lisbon – Cascais and Estoril. If travelling freestyle – you can take a train or bus from Lisbon.
The town has an old world charm as it hugs the rocks below the Royal Castle and it is well worth spending some time walking through the older part of the town.
Castle
From the castle – the view over the valley is spectacular.

The castle Palacio da Pena – was commissioned in the 1840s – by Queen Maria II – it comprises of turrets – ramparts – towers – domes – making it a typical fairly land castle.

But once you arrive at the castle – the view over the valley is spectacular.

The castle Palacio da Pena – was commissioned in the 1840s – by Queen Maria II – it comprises of turrets – ramparts – towers – domes – making it a typical fairly land castle.

In and around the villages of Macas and Azenhas do Mar

Macas is a small bay popular with surfers – the small town offers some accommodation and has a number of restaurants – though a much smaller beach than some of the ones further north it has a less frantic feel than the overcrowded beaches at Santa Cruz and beyond.

So if you are a surfer or enjoy watching the boards ride the waves as you laze on the beach a trip to Macas could be considered.

Cabo da Rocha, is Europes most westerly point.

Cabo da Rocha –a rocky promontory sticking out into the Atlantic, beaten by Atlantic gales and thunderous waves  is officially the most westerly point in mainland Europe – though this is often disputed by the other most westerly points -last "drinking holes " or "last shop" to USA.

Bus Tours</p>

If you haven't a car, you can take one of the main bus tours from Sintra or Cascais which run all year.

The  Cabo da Rocha is worth a visit regardless of the weather as it becomes more dramatic on days of low visibility and high winds.

Coffee

The headland has some tourist facilities such as coffee shop, souvenir shop and tourist office and toilet facilities.

Close to the shop is the lighthouse which still sends its guiding light across the waters.

For the historian or story gatherer there are numerous tales of ship wrecks and pirates – which at time can make some gory reading.

The fishing village of Ericeira has maintained its old world charm despite the recent massive developments of apartments.

With its white washed walls and blue lintels and doors, the village of Ericeria perched high above a rocky shore is as picturesque as one can find – add a westerly outlook and regular golden sunsets and its not hard to see how the village is a tourist haunt.

Harbour

Below the town, there is a harbour set in a natural and protected cove – the harbour is reached by a long cobbled street.

Town

While the area of Ericeira is well built with modern apartment blocks – the village has remained pretty much unspoilt – with it's white washed cottages, low rise buildings and narrow lanes all adding to set it aside from the average touristy location.

Fish

Having developed as a town due to its proximity to the sea and safe harbour – fishing industry was it's main stay of the past – today – fish restaurants retain the villages closeness to the sea.

Wander about the narrow streets of this former fishing village, which is perched on high cliffs above the Atlantic. The houses in the village are maintained in their old style of white walls and blue or yellow trim around the doors and windows. While wandering about you may come across some nice restaurants tucked in and away from the busy square.

Santa Cruz has many fine beaches to offer, but with the area over populated with apartments, they can be very crowded in summer

From Santa Cruz right up to Peniche  is a string of interconnecting beaches of fine white sand.

The Santa Cruz beach – in the shadow of a large sea stack is a nice beach for a visit – backed by the  town's  small "village" but the there the appeal ends as the area has been over developed with a massive array of large apartment blocks  and hotels .

Aveiro is just an hour by train from Oporto.

Take a walk along its canals or enjoy a boat trip on one of the traditional crafts.

Aviero the tiny Venice of North West Portugalwas once a thriving port, until the river silted up creating salt marshes and closing off the port.

In the 19th century the first canal was built – providing the town access to the sea again – the harbour was re-opened, and some of the mosquito infested  marshes were drained.

Today, the canals provide a charm and interest to the tourist and day trippers.

You can hire a canal boat or join a group on the larger colourful wooden vessels.

Along the canals are some fine examples of old or refurbished dwellings – homes to the wealthy in prior times.

Train

Aviero is easily accessible from Oporto by train – there are is a fairly frequent schedule throughout the year.

When you arrive in Aviero train station – you need to take a walk ( 10 -15 ) minutes to the more interesting part of the town.

Beaches

There are a number of fine beaches in the vicinity of the town – though you will need to take a car or travel by local bus. Though hiring a bicycle for the day is a great way of getting around and visiting the coast.

Discover and explore Oporto, Portugal's second city or simply enjoy lunch on the banks of the river Douro

The river side Barrio is the most popular haunt for tourists – with its old cobbled lined alleys, riverside cafes, tiled decked buildings, street musicians – all combined to create the charm of Oporto.

Travel by train across the metal bridge – or if not afraid of heights – walk across it as you watch the ferries below.

The source of the River Douro is in Spain - in the Province of Soria. The river length is about 900km.

The river can be explored from Oporto by cruise boat - the shortest trip is about an hour, the longer trips bring you right into the heart of the vine country.

Pass under the famous Dom Luis I bridge and the other 5 old bridges spanning the river for centuries.

The Dom Luis I bridge was constructed in the 1890s and has become a UNESCO World Heritage site.>/p>

The railway bridge Maria Pia was designed by Gustave Eiffel of Eiffel Tower fame.

The riverside ( Ribeira) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site – much of the area has been rejuvenated – helping to create a much more pleasant tourist experience.

While visiting the city there are numerous things to do

Cruise - Take a ferry along the river – hire a bike and explore both sides of the river.

Porto is the second largest city in Portugal.

The city lies on the banks of the River Douro.

It is an old city and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The cathedral is one of the oldest buildings in the city and some remnants of the old city walls can still be seen.

The city has a maritime tradition, and Henry the Navigator set off on an expedition from the city in the 15th century.

Port wine and especially Porto the fortified wine comes from the area.

Cathedral (Se)

The Cathedral is located on a rocky mount - and offers excellent views of the city and its rustic coloured tiled rooftops.

It is a Romanesque-Gothic structure, of the 12th /13th centuries.

The interior still retains the look of a church-fortress with battlements.

Most notable are the beautiful rose window (12th century) and the side porch.

Along the gates are monumental 17th century holy water fonts.