Explore the Atlantic coast of Portugal

About the destination: Situated in a dramatic valley carved by the River Douro, Porto is renowned for the beauty of its buildings and the sweet taste of its wine. The city's hub is Avenida dos Aliados, a broad avenue encircled by Praça General H. Delgado and Praça da Liberdade. However, the most captivating part of the city is Ribeira, the river district and a Unesco World Heritage Site, where three of Europe’s most elegant bridges span the gorge. The bustling Praça da Liberdade and the adjoining Avenida dos Aliados form the town centre, where statues stand in the middle of busy mosaic walkways. Nearby stands Porto’s magnificent cathedral, a massive, fortified Romanesque structure whose heavy granite foundations, thick walls and small windows enclose a gloomy interior. The Ribeira stretches along the river, bordered by a wonderful quay filled with shops and restaurants. Porto’s most distinctive monument, the ornate Torre dos Clérigos, offers a panorama of the city from atop its 240 steps. No visit to Porto would be complete without a stop at some of the many bodegas, wine lodges, where port is stored and bottled. And a visit to the amazing Lello library with its spiral staircase, is a must see as well, even if you're not a Harry Potter fan.

About the destination: Vila do Conde is a Portuguese city of the District of Porto, Statistical Region of the North (NUTS II) and intermunicipal community of Greater Metropolitan Area of ​​Oporto, with about 80,000 inhabitants in its municipality, of which about 30,000 reside in its central nucleus. It is the seat of a municipality with 149.31 km² of area subdivided into 30 parishes. The municipality limits to the north with the municipality of Póvoa de Varzim, to the east with Vila Nova de Famalicão and Trofa, to the south with Maia and Matosinhos and to the west with the Atlantic Ocean.

About the destination: Aveiro, just an hour north of the better-known Porto, is a town of picturesque canals and a thriving fishing industry. Pub and café hopping in Aveiro is nearly as popular as the beaches at San Jacinto or Barra, and the northern reaches of Aveiro’s lagoon. Aveiro's traditions are closely tied to the sea and to the Ria de Aveiro, a few canals cross the city, and in the neighbourhoods, most of their life is connected to the sea and lagoon. There are also tours of the canals and Ria de Aveiro, it is a very special way to enjoy the city. In much of the older part of town, footpaths and squares are paved with calçada, traditional Portuguese hand-laid pavement, in intricate nautical patterns. The town's most attractive buildings date from the latter half of the 17th century. Aviero's Cathedral, Sao Domingos Church, was founded in 1423 and is best visited early in the day; it's a major attraction for tourists. Over the last few years, a massive restoration project has transformed the old fishermen's quarter, just off the main canal, into a delightful little area of small pubs and restaurants. A central market square hosts live entertainment during the summer months. Aveiro is a surprisingly cosmopolitan fishing town on northern Portugal with a youthful, energetic buzz.

About the destination: Figueira da Foz is a city at the mouth of the Mondego River and a municipality in the Coimbra District. Admiring Figueira da Foz historical heritage is a reason to discover the city. You can start by visiting Dr. Santos Rocha Municipal Museum where you will be able to admire great archaeology, African and Oriental ethnography, numismatic, painting, sculpture, and ceramic and furniture collections. You can then take a tour through the local churches. Discover a unique blend between a real fishing port and the cosmopolitanism inherited from the Belle Époque when the seaside resort of Figueira da Foz was the most visited in Portugal.

About the destination: Nazaré is a lovely town in the district of Leiria, western Portugal. Possibly the most famous fishing town in Portugal, Nazaré is unique in many ways. It doesn’t contain the architectural treasures or grandiose monuments prevalent in other Portuguese towns, but it has an atmosphere of times gone by, contentment and traditions which continue to thrive, which make it a special place to visit. Along the seafront of Nazaré, people still dry their catch of fish in the sun and mend their boats alongside sunbathing holidaymakers. The Casa Museu do Pescador is a small museum dedicated to the fishing population of Nazaré.

About the destination: The area of the town of Óbidos is located on a hilltop, encircled by a fortified wall. Óbidos remains a well-preserved example of medieval architecture; its streets, squares, walls and its castle are a popular tourist destination. The castle now houses a pousada. The municipality is also home to the famous Praia D'el Rey golf complex, one of the top golf resorts in Europe, and Royal Óbidos - Spa & Golf Resort. Each July Óbidos castle hosts a traditional 'Medieval Market'. For two weeks the castle and the surrounding town recreate the spirit of medieval Europe. Flowing banners and heraldic flags set the mood together with hundreds of entertainers and stall holders dressed as merchants, jugglers, jesters, wandering minstrels, soldiers and more. Visitors can shop at the traditional handcrafts fair or watch medieval shows, horse displays and a costumed parade that winds its way through the streets. There are also displays of jousting knights and armed combat. Spit roasted hog, hearty soups, rabbit, lamb, cod, quail, sausages and other grilled meats are just some of the many medieval style meals on offer from dozens of "taverns" and stalls spread throughout the market. Drinking from pewter tankards and eating from wooden trencher all adds to the experience. The town is dominated by an old medieval fortress with a portion of the town located within the castle walls. Clock Tower Mother Church of Saint Mary Municipal Museum, located in the old Council Chamber House

About the destination: Peniche, a coastal city in the central region of Portugal, is full of culture, traditions and natural resources. The town is partly surrounded by the wall of the sixteenth century. On the south side by the sea, you can see the fortress called Fort Peniche Square (Praça-forte Peniche) of the sixteenth century, used as a prison during the regime of Salazar. It became famous for the escape of the communist leader Alvaro Cunhal. Peniche is home to magnificent beaches, the most beautiful are Baleal Beach, and Playa Playa Medão Gambôa. Peniche is known internationally for the exceptional conditions are given for water sports like surfing, body boarding and snorkeling. Supertubos Beach hosts numerous international events related to these modalities. Peniche has a lot to offer, interesting places to visit, activities to do during almost all year, and it is also a nice place to enjoy a few deserved days off.

About the destination: Ericeira is a civil parish and seaside resort/fishing community on the western coast of Portugal, in the municipality of Mafra, about 35 kilometres (22 mi) northwest of the capital, Lisbon. Ericeira is regarded by some as being Europe's Surf Mecca, due to the exceptional coastline conditions for the practice of Surf. It is home for Ericeira's World Surfing Reserve, the first in Europe and the second in the world.

About the destination: Sintra is a town and a municipality in the Grande Lisboa subregion (Lisbon Region) of Portugal. The municipality contains two cities: Queluz and Agualva-Cacém. Sintra is known for its many 19th-century Romantic architectural monuments, which has resulted in its classification as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although its heritage in buildings and nature is the most visible face of the historic individuality of Sintra, a whole literary heritage has made the area a legendary reference in Portuguese culture. It has become a major tourist centre, visited by many day-trippers who travel from the centre and suburbs of the capital Lisbon. In addition to the Sintra Mountains and Sintra-Cascais Nature Park, the parishes of the town of Sintra are dotted with royal retreats, estates, castles and other buildings, including the mediaeval Castelo dos Mouros, the Pena National Palace and the Sintra National Palace.

About the destination: Cascais is a small beach town in Portugal next to the Estoril coast in the Lisbon metropolitan area. Cascais, former residence of the royal family and pioneer of tourism in Portugal, is a charming town. Dominated by the bay and the imposing fortress, the historic center is full of architectural treasures of religious, military and civilian character. In the same way, the museums of the Sea, Casa das Histórias by Paula Rego, and the Municipal Museum Counts of Castro Guimarães must also see the attractions. Cascais is surrounded by popular beaches, such as Guincho Beach, to the west, and the lush Sintra Mountains of the north. Part of its coastline is cliff and attracts tourists for its seascapes and other places of natural interest such as Boca do Inferno. It is also becoming a popular golf destination, with more than 10 golf courses nearby. Surfing, sailing, windsurfing, kite surfing and are also popular in the region around Cascais due to favorable weather, wind and sea conditions. In 2007, Cascais was the official host of the ISAF World Championship in the navigation of racing boats and yachts.

About the destination: Lisbon is known as the city of seven hills due to its location, the city spreads across steep hillsides that overlook the River Tagus. Romantic and cosmopolitan, the city presents its typical red roofs to the visitors that want to get to know its every inch. Lisbon surprises with its natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere. The Portuguese capital offers lots of museums, libraries, a massive port, churches and palaces and stunning views of the River Tagus. Lisbon was once considered a poor and chaotic city. Currently it has experienced a resurgence in the style of the 14th and 15th centuries, when it was part of that vast empire stretching from Brazil to India. The reason for this was the World Expo held in 1998, a new bridge over the Tagus was built and the city's underground network was remodelled. The resurgence of the city then continued to host several matches during Euro 2004, also held there the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2005. Many of its most beautiful buildings date from the 14th and 15th centuries, especially the ones located in the Belem district. There are also many buildings from the 18th century, which are located mostly in the Baixa area of central Lisbon and were reconstructed almost completely after a devastating earthquake that hit the town in 1755. The historic centre of the city, standing on The Seven Hills, presents steep streets and picturesque alleys. On the west side of the city, there is Monsanto Forest Park, Lisbon’s lung, with an area of 10 km and one of the largest in Europe. The capital’s majestic port has 3 docks commonly used for several cruises and it is, currently, the busiest port on the European Atlantic coast. Lisbon is a city with centuries of history and with an ambitious attitude, marrying the historic with the modern, the traditional with the cutting edge. Strolling through the old quarters one can hear the traditional Fado sung and played in small restaurants in town. In the hilltop district of Bairro Alto, dozens of restaurants and bars line the narrow streets, with jazz, reggae, electronica filling the air and revellers partying until dawn. Nightclubs scattered all over town make fine use of old spaces, whether on riverside docks or tucked away in 18th-century mansions. Lisbon presents itself to the world as a cosmopolitan and lively city, with alternatives for every taste, especially in the summer months when its many bars, terraces and restaurants are crammed with people.