5 Reasons We Love Portugal

From historic cities and medieval towns to sweeping Atlantic views, Portugal packs remarkable variety into a relatively compact area. Its royal palaces, seafaring history, local flavours and relaxed coastal lifestyle provide plenty of reasons to return.

On Travelsphere’s Lisbon Coast tour, you’ll stay in the seaside town of Cascais and explore Lisbon, Sintra, Cabo da Roca and Óbidos. Three full leisure days also give you time to relax or discover more on optional excursions.

1. It has a fascinating seafaring history

Portugal played a pivotal role in the Age of Discovery, and Lisbon’s Belém district provides a compelling introduction to this maritime past.

On a guided tour of the capital, you’ll see the 16th-century Belém Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries, which commemorates the explorers, navigators and patrons associated with Portugal’s ocean voyages. You’ll also admire the immense Jerónimos Monastery, whose ornate Manueline architecture reflects the wealth and ambition of the period.

The day begins at the National Coach Museum, home to an exceptional collection of ceremonial and touring carriages once used by the Portuguese royal family. Dating from the 16th to the 19th centuries, these lavish vehicles reveal another aspect of Portugal’s royal and cultural history.

Together, these Lisbon landmarks tell the story of a country whose influence once extended far beyond the European continent.

Discover 14 interesting facts about Portugal.

2. Beautiful scenery is never far away

No matter where your travels take you in Portugal, beauty surrounds you.

Portugal’s Lisbon Coast brings together sandy beaches, forested hills and dramatic Atlantic cliffs.

Cascais is an inviting seaside base, with beaches, a marina and a characterful Old Town within easy reach. On a free day, you could relax beside the sea or walk to Boca do Inferno, a natural sea arch where Atlantic waves crash against the limestone cliffs.

The scenery becomes even more dramatic around Sintra. Rolling wooded hills surround its palaces and castles, creating a landscape with a distinctly fairy-tale quality. After exploring the town, your journey continues to Cabo da Roca, the most westerly point of continental Europe.

From its rugged clifftop setting, the land drops sharply towards the Atlantic. The coastal drive also passes Guincho Beach, whose exposed position and powerful waves have made it particularly popular with surfers.

3. Its cities and historic towns are full of character

Portugal’s lively and vibrant cities are a joy to explore.

In Lisbon, you’ll explore the narrow lanes of ancient Alfama before passing Praça do Comércio, Rossio and Restauradores. These distinctive public squares reveal different chapters in the capital’s story, while Avenida da Liberdade introduces its more elegant, tree-lined side.

Sintra has a very different atmosphere. The town’s winding streets are lined with cafés and independent shops selling handicrafts and souvenirs. Its most recognisable landmark is Sintra National Palace, distinguished by its two enormous conical chimneys. Inside, lavish rooms decorated with colourful tiles and mosaics recall its time as a royal residence.

There is another change of pace in Óbidos. Once presented to Queen Isabel as a royal gift, this medieval town was associated with Portugal’s queens for centuries. Its hilltop castle, battlements, cobbled lanes and whitewashed houses decorated with bougainvillea make it one of the most picturesque stops on the tour.

4. You can combine discovery with relaxation

Portugal is an ideal destination when you want to see celebrated sights without rushing from place to place. Travelsphere’s itinerary includes three full leisure days in Cascais, allowing you to decide how much – or how little – you would like to do.

You could spend your time enjoying the hotel’s gardens and swimming pool, relaxing on a nearby beach or exploring Cascais Old Town. Its winding streets and pavement cafés are well suited to an unhurried wander, while the marina and coastline provide plenty of opportunities to pause and enjoy the view.

Alternatively, two optional excursions allow you to experience more of the surrounding region.

The Arrábida excursion crosses the Tagus on the 25th of April Bridge before visiting Setúbal’s colourful Mercado do Livramento. It continues through the protected landscapes of Arrábida Natural Park to a wine cellar in Azeitão, where you can taste the local fortified Moscatel de Setúbal. The return journey includes panoramic views of Lisbon from the Christ the King statue.

The optional Évora excursion explores a UNESCO-listed walled city with roots extending back to Roman times. A guided walk includes Giraldo Square and the striking Chapel of Bones. Before returning to the Lisbon Coast, you’ll also visit a cork factory and learn how one of Portugal’s best-known natural materials is transformed into everyday products.

5. Delicious fresh ingredients are always on the menu

Portuguese food is closely connected to the country’s regions, and this tour introduces several specialities from around the Lisbon Coast.

Sardines plucked fresh from the sea, salt cod, crispy suckling pig and slow-cooked wild boar stew are the kind of rustic dishes found on the menu in Portugal.

As you eat, clink glasses of Vinho Verde – a young, crisp unoaked wine usually consumed shortly after bottling. And if you’ve a sweet tooth, thank the monks of the Jerónimos Monastery, who are said to have invented pastéis de nata. These little custard tarts with a crispy, flaking pastry case and a sweet, creamy filling sprinkled with cinnamon really are heavenly.

In Óbidos, an included tasting introduces you to ginjinha, a sweet liqueur made with sour cherries. Here, it is traditionally served in a small chocolate cup, allowing you to enjoy the drink and its container.

Guests choosing the optional Arrábida excursion can discover another regional flavour during a tasting of Moscatel de Setúbal at a local wine cellar in Azeitão.

Discover Portugal with Travelsphere

Travelsphere’s eight-day Lisbon Coast – Historic Towns and Spectacular Sintra tour is based in Cascais and includes guided sightseeing in Lisbon, a visit to Sintra National Palace, the cliffs of Cabo da Roca and a tour of medieval Óbidos with a ginjinha tasting.

The holiday also includes three full leisure days and a choice of optional excursions to Arrábida or Évora. Return flights, seven nights in a four-star hotel, selected meals and the services of a Travelsphere Holiday Director and specialist local guide are included.