Parque De Campismo Vieira

If guests tire of beach days (impossible as it may sound) there are other ways to cool down round here: it’s a 10-minute walk to Mariparque waterpark, where there are slides, swimming pools, aquaball and kayaking to get everyone started. For something less active, turn to local history instead. Start in Marinha Grande (15 minutes’ drive) with explores of the glass museum and the museum dedicated to sculptor Joaquim Correia, then travel on to the Old Town, museum of moving images, cathedral and castle (which overlooks the Lis river) half an hour away in Leiria. Dive below the surface at Moeda Caves (50 minutes) for tours of underground caverns, or opt instead for a more religion-focused approach – the pretty Santuário do Senhor Jesus dos Milagres is half an hour away, and the spectacular UNESCO monuments of the Batalha and Alcobaça monasteries are both within 45 minutes. It’s also about 45 minutes to the famed Catholic pilgrimage site of Fátima. Those who prefer to worship nature can make tracks for Parque Natural das Serras de Aire e Candeeiros (45 minutes) and its extraordinary massifs, ravines and cave systems, while anyone in the market for a proper city day can head to Coimbra (an hour) to explore stunning architecture, wander the paths of the botanical garden and storm the castles.