Luxury Lisbon Coast Holidays

Wide, golden beaches in easy reach of Lisbon

Lisbon Coast

Head west out of Portugal's capital, and you'll be greeted with a stunning coastline that rivals the Algarve. This is the Lisbon Coast, an often overlooked slice of Portugal that deals out charming fishing villages and sandy bays, with a helping of historic sights thrown in the mix, too.

The beaches along this coast come in all shapes and sizes - some are small coves backed by jagged cliffs, others are long, wide stripes of sand. Base yourself in the beach towns of Cascais or Estoril. The former boasts a lovely old town and a vibrant arts scene, while the latter flaunts a casino that inspired James Bond author Ian Fleming.

When you've had your fill of sunbathing, pop in to Lisbon for a dose of city chic - trains whisk you to the centre in around 40 minutes. You could also head for the hills; the mountain castles of Sintra are an easy drive away.

Reshmi Burgess

Lisbon itself is a beautiful, historical city, easily accessible on foot, by tram or a hop on/off bus tour. There are so many fascinating sights to take in, such as the historic monasteries and the maritime museum. Why not climb to the top of the watch tower to relive the excitement of watching the ships coming in - at one time they would have been bringing treasures from the 'new world'.

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Destinations in Lisbon Coast

Cascais

The suburb of Cascais sits between Lisbon and mountainous Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. A whitewashed old town harks back to its fishing village days, plus there’s a necklace of sandy beaches.

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Estoril

Estoril is the beach town that inspired Fleming’s James Bond novels. The roulette’s still spinning at the casino, there’s a Grand Prix track, and a citadel watches over the marina.

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Things to doCycle The CoastHire a bike and enjoy the cycle path that connects the fishing town of Cascais to the popular beach of Guincho. The path, which follows the coast for eight kilometres, is a great way to explore, while adding a little exercise to sun and sand-fuelled days.

Things to doDiscover Sintra’s fairy-tale castlesYou can’t miss the rainbow-coloured Palacio da Pena (royal palace) sitting pretty in the hills above Sintra. The Moorish-inspired castle was originally a monastery before being bought by Portugal’s royal family in the 19th century. They turned it into the bright yellow, rich red and deep blue castle you see today – head inside and discover grand rooms and a beautiful courtyard with a viewpoint across the whole town.

Things to doExplore Sintra-Cascais Natural ParkThe Sintra-Cascais Natural Park is a remarkable surprise when you consider how close it is to Lisbon. The park is made up of a medley of landscapes, including sand dunes, forests, lakes and craggy cliffs. There are also lovely beaches dotted along its coast. It's the ideal place for enjoying the great outdoors, whether you're a keen hiker or just fancy an easy amble.

Things to doVisit LisbonLisbon is one of the oldest cities in Europe, but it feels young at heart, with trendy cocktail bars, pop-up shops and innovative restaurants. You can still get a taste of its heritage, though - historic highlights include the medieval Belem Tower and UNESCO-awarded Jerónimos monastery. Save a few euros for a ride on the #28 - this iconic yellow tram trundles up a steep hill to Sao Jorge Castle, which overlooks the city.

Flight Information

Flights from the UK to Lisbon take around two and a half hours.

When to go

Thanks to its ocean-side location, the Lisbon Coast enjoys plenty of bright and breezy weather. Expect temperatures to hit the high 20s during the summer months - ideal for beach days and sightseeing in the city. Spring and autumn are also pleasant, with average highs of 20-22 degrees.

Visa Information

Currently visas are not required for UK citizens travelling to Portugal.

Tipping

Tipping in Portugal is generally optional. At cafés and when taking taxis, you can just round up to the nearest euro. When in restaurants, it’s common to leave around 10%.

Introduction to languages

The official language of Portugal is Portuguese. English is widely spoken too, so getting by is easy.

Our pick of the top hotels on the Lisbon Coast

Every one of our hotels is handpicked and personally visited by our team

Palacio Estoril

Portugal, Lisbon Coast

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Pestana Cidadela Cascais

Portugal, Lisbon Coast

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Discover Portugal's fairy-tale town09/04/2017 The town of Sintra sits prettily in the foothills of the Sintra Mountains. The appeal of the town’s unique palace is what keeps the crowds flocking each year, but once you’ve explored the winding walkways and long-standing rooms within the palace walls, there’s much more this small town has to offer… Read More

Luxury Lisbon Coast Holidays

Lisbon Coast

Reshmi Burgess

Palacio Estoril

Pestana Cidadela Cascais

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