Sítio da Luz

You have a choice of Atlantic beaches for days soaking up the sun. Samarra Beach (five minutes’ drive) is often nearly deserted, while just to the north and also uncrowded, Praia da Vigia (10 minutes’ drive) is a long sweep of soft sand reached by a winding cliff path. You can also discover this quiet corner of Portugal on hiking and biking trails; one leads to the ancient Ponte Romana de Catribana (15 minutes’ walk). If you’d like to find out more about the Roman legacy in the area, head for the Museu Arqueológico de São Miguel de Odrinhas (10 minutes’ drive), displaying artifacts unearthed locally. Sintra (half an hour) is a hilltop town renowned for its splendid castles and palaces in a variety of architectural styles from Moorish to medieval and Neo-Gothic. Visit Lisbon (55 minutes), and you can tour bucket-list attractions like Belém Tower on the Tagus riverside, the Castelo de São Jorge overlooking the city and atmospheric cobbled streets lined with fado bars in the Alfama district.