Marquês de Pombal Square

LISBON Boasting springtime temperatures during the winter and cool summers freshened by a breeze blowing in from the Atlantic, Costa de Lisboa, on the southwestern coast, offers a rich and impressively integrated diversity. The capital of Portugal since its conquest from the Moors in 1147, Lisbon is a legendary city with over 20 centuries of History.

Lisbon districts and monuments are as famous as the city itself : the Alfama quarter, the Rossio quarter, the Praça do Comércio, the Jeronimos Monastery Church, St Georges Castle, the Coach Museum, the Monument to the Discoveries, the Tower of Bélem etc... and you must not forget the recent Parques dos Naçoes.

Lisbon

LISBON DISTRICTS, The Alfama is one of the oldest quarters in Lisboa. Since it largely survived the earthquake of 1755, the area still retains much of its original layout.
Adjacent to the Alfama are the likewise old quarters of Castelo and Mouraria, on the western and northern slopes of the hill that is crowned by St. George's Castle.
Every year in June, the streets of all three quarters come alive with the feasts in honour of the popular saints.
The Graça quarter and the churches of São Vicente de Fora and Santa Engrácia are within walking distance of this area. Radiant skies brighten the monumental city, with its typical tile covered building façades and narrow Medieval streets, where one can hear the fado being played and sung at night. But Lisbon is also the stage for popular festivities.

a welcoming small city

Ericeira is a lovely old fishing town which has kept a lot of its character with its narrow cobblestone streets, characteristic housing, singular monuments whilst providing plenty of attractions for visitors; beautiful sandy beaches (some of which are a paradise for surfers). It is close to Lisbon and it is appreciated by the inhabitants of the capital city.

It is easy to reach Ericeira from any part of the Lisbon area.

Sintra - Quinta da Regaleira

SINTRA is one of the most delightful places to be found in Portugal. With its extensive range of green bills with its crags - the Serra de Sintra - so picturesquely situated and offering stupendous views of the coastline with its impressive beauty, Sintra is indeed "a garden of the earthly paradise". The Old Town was described by Byron as "the most pleasing in Europe", but there are also valuable archaeological remains, particularly from the Roman period, ancient manor houses, churches of personalised artistic value and characteristic villages. The three National Palace - Palácio da Vila, Palácio da Pena and Palácio de Queluz - and the various municipal museums contain important historical and artistic collections.

CASCAIS Little town beaches (Praia da Rainha, Praia da Conceição) with charming surroundings and yachts bobbing on the water. The Praia da Ribeira is a picturesque spot and still a traditional fishing harbour. The beaches of Cascais have names like the "Pescadores", "Marchioness" and the "Queen", reminding us of the time when it was the "Land of Kings and fishermen". Portuguese kings and many exiled kings have lived in Cascais over the years.

ESTORIL Renowned worldwide as an important tourism spot (casino, golf course and racing track). The Verdades-Farias Museum which hosts an important collection of musical instruments related to popular music, assembled by MichaeI Giacometti. The beautiful Santo António Church stands out in this cosmopolitan resort, which also boasts an exciting nightlife.

MAFRA Palace-Convent built in the 18th century, is the largest Portuguese religious monument. It consists of lavish royal apartments aswell as 330 cells for its monks, a magnificent library (which houses about 36.000 collectors books that include a first edition of “Os Lusíadas” by the Portuguese poet Luís de Camõe), carillon, basilica and museums.

Figueira da Foz

BEIRAS. The curative springs and the lush vegetation of secular forests have preserved all the rewards of their unspoilt nature. The monasteries, convents, castles, churches, and museums witness the priceless historic and artistic heritage of renowned universal value. As one of the most economically developed regions in the country, Costa de Prata is also home for famous traditional art treasures, such as its porcelain and crystal, as well as its gastronomy, strongly influenced by the sea and counterbalanced by its tasty Bairrada wines and mouth-watering sweets. In the fishing villages or urban historic centres, the kindness of the people is but another asset to add to this bountiful area's vast list of qualities. Located between Lisbon and Oporto, with the country's largest motorway (the A1) crossing it in the north-south direction is Central Portugal and its Silver Coast . The mild temperatures and white sandy beaches offer one the choice between practising water sports and the calm life of the seaside.

COÏMBRA, One of Europe's oldest university towns, it has kept its secular academic traditions, as seen in the black caped students, in the soulful tones of the fado and in the Burning of the Ribbons (Queima das Fitas). Overlooking the city is the University, with its famous tower and a sumptuous Baroque library. In the adjacent quarters you will find the Old Cathedral (Romanesque) and the Machado de Castro Museum, with its Roman cryptoportico. In the ancient streets, with their medieval walls, arches and stairways, are the Santa Cruz Monastery (founded in 1131), the Church of Santiago and the Monastery of Celas (13th century). On the other bank of the Mondego stands the Santa Clara-a-Nova Convent (Baroque, 17th century).

NAZARE A stunning beach, typical fishermen houses and steep cliffs over a bright blue sea have made this fishing town become a popular holiday resort, mainly due to its traditional character. Fishermen can still be seen wearing checkered shirts and black trousers, and their wives seven layers of petticoats: you can watch them mending nets or drying fish on the beach. Near Nazaré lies the beautiful beach of São Martinho do Porto: its enclosed and safe bay makes it a favourite holiday destination, specially for families with children.

FIGUEIRA DA FOZ Summer resort on the mouth of the Mondego river (long, sandy beaches and water sports facilities). Special mention to the mother-church, Casa do Paço (17th century), Municipal Museum, Santa Catarina Fortress (16^th century) and Pelourinho.

FATIMA One of the most important Marian centres of pilgrimage in the catholic world. Basilica and Capelinha das Aparições.The famous sanctuary of Fátima attracts thousands of pilgrims each year, specially on the 13th of May and the 13th of October, to celebrate the appearances of the Virgin Mary to three shepherd children.

Fresh fish and crustaceans enhance all the regional dishes, like the popular "caldeirada" but you can also enjoy the eel "caldeirada" of Aveiro. You can also try the relishing meat dishes, like the grilled pork kebab made in Barraida, the kid "chanfana" from Coimbra.