PORTUGAL: Lisbon Coast
If you're seeking a seaside escape away from the usual holiday hotspots, Lisbon's dazzling coast hits the nail right on the head. A beguiling blend of sleepy villages, chic resorts and a countryside that'll whip your breath away, once you discover this gorgeous slice of Portugal – you'll want to keep it a secret. Those in the know certainly do, and although it has become a popular chill out retreat, it's retained its rural charm. Once the summertime residence of Portuguese royalty, silky soft sands, luxury hotels and first-rate restaurants are sprinkled along the shimmering shores here, as well as superb championship golf courses and peaceful nature reserves. If you're looking to shake off your stresses somewhere serene, try easy going Estoril and soak up its elegant seaside ambience. For a holiday oozing style, colourful Cascais with its beautiful bay and charismatic narrow streets strikes just the right balance between sophisticated chic and traditional allure. If it's the stunning scenery you've come for though, it's got to be Sintra. This place really makes you catch your breath. Surrounded by wooded ravines and freshwater springs, it's hidden away in the dramatic Serra hills. Then there's the town itself. A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, it's just eye-bogglingly beautiful. We're talking narrow cobblestone lanes, terracotta roofs, higgledy-piggledy houses and sumptuous royal palaces. Wherever you want to loose yourself, Lisbon's coast is calling you…
Beaches
The wild Atlantic Ocean certainly creates a dramatic landscape along the shores here. Scuba divers and fishing enthusiasts flock here in the thousands and the rollers that breeze in are a huge hit with surfers. Of course the main draw here are the gold-dust beaches, which are among the cleanest in Europe. Expansive stretches of sugary sands sweep down from Ericeira to Sintra in the north and from Cascais to Estoril around the headland. The hilltop haven of Sintra sweeps down to the coast from wooded valleys and is sometimes enchantingly enveloped in swirling sea mists. Follow sun-dappled trails through the deep forests here, along hairpin bends and down to the shimmering sea. Snaking its way around a curvaceous, scallop-shaped bay, elegant Estoril is the perfect place to put your holiday feet up. You're spoilt silly here with three shimmering slices to choose from. If you want to be kept on your toes, head for Carcavelos Beach with special areas where you can play volleyball, football and even roller skate. And if you were ever in any doubt of the Lisbon coast's royal connections, just take a look at some of Cascais' beaches. Stretch out on Marchiones' or unwind on Queen. Well, if the beaches were good enough for them...
Eating out
If you're a foodie – you're most definitely in for a treat. The cuisine of central Portugal is especially varied, so you'll find all sorts of flavours bursting from the menus here. Try specialities such as frango a piri-piri, hot and spicy barbequed chicken with chilli and leitai a bairrada, roasted suckling pig with crispy crackling. Of course, being slap bang next to the Atlantic, fresh fish and shellfish are in abundance and you'll find many a restaurant with mouth-watering displays of lobsters, prawns, crabs, crayfish, oysters and crayfish. For something a bit different, order acorda de marisco – a thick seafood soup made with mashed bread, garlic and herbs or bacalhau a bras, a combination of salt cod with potato, onion and scrambled egg. And where to eat. Cosy cafes, traditional tavernas and sophisticated restaurants will tantalise your taste buds wherever you travel along this coastline. In the summer months, places explode into life with umbrellas and chairs popping up so you can eat al fresco as you soak up the sun.
Nightlife
As you'd expect, the nightlife along this captivating coastline is by and large tranquil, like the chilled pace of life here. Evenings are mainly centred on slap up meals and quiet drinks to the soothing sound of the waves washing the shores. After dark, peruse enticing menus and then tuck into Portuguese delicacies at an atmospheric restaurant. And most seaside resorts have a harbour or marina where glossy yachts bob beside a jumble of brightly coloured fishing boats and make a great spot for an after-dinner stroll. There are a few lively spots with a spirited night scene though. For a bit of glamour, head to Estoril, where you'll find Europe's largest casino with glittering cabaret shows and a nightclub. And if you fancy a blow out night on the tiles, why not take advantage of the fact that Lisbon is so close? Just don't forget your dancing shoes!
Shopping
If you want to get some serious shopping done, then the buzzing city of Lisbon is within easy reach with its sleek department stores and all the designer names you could wish for. However, the more traditional shops sprinkled along the coast are all part of the holiday charm here. You'll find some sophisticated boutiques here and there, granted - but it's the regional finds that'll have you reaching for your wallet. Markets spring up all over the place and are often the hub of the towns. If you're going to be whipping up your own culinary creations while you're here, head for the lively fish markets where you can pick up just-caught seafood at great prices. You'll also come across wine from the Palmela and Sado areas and cheese, made from the milk of sheep that roam the Serra da Arrabida here. Cascais is bustling with loads of little handicraft stalls and the fortnightly market over in the Sao Pedro part of Sintra is a bargain hunter's treasure trove. Make sure you seek out a country fairs while you're here too, where you can buy regional crafts such as hand-painted pottery, lace and baskets.
