Kampaoh Sesimbra

Fancy some beach time? You'll have choices (or a list to tick off, if you prefer…) Sesimbra (15 minutes' drive) is a good place to start if you've got kids with you – the town’s Califórnia beach has soft sand, calm waters and plenty of places to find eats and drinks. Praia de Albarquel (35 minutes) is another nice option, with a fort you can climb up to in the woods behind the beach. For a wilder option, scramble down the 'goat path' to gorgeous Galapinhos Beach (25 minutes). There are several more beaches along the coast of Parque Natural da Arrábida, and you can also follow well-marked hiking trails to places like Serra do Risco (20 minutes' drive), the highest point in the park. Coasteering and dolphin watching are also popular activities here. Squeeze in some cultural history with trips to Sesimbra Castle (15 minutes), the coastal fort of Forte de São Domingos da Baralha (25 minutes) and 16th-century Convento de Nossa Senhora da Arrábida (35 minutes), or take a day in Lisbon (45 minutes) to visit the castle, explore the National Tile Museum and ride the retro trams.