City Fun & Coastal Bliss: A Lisbon Big Short Break

Rise and shine, it’s the first full-day for your five-day getaway to Lisbon and there’s not a moment to waste. Today is dedicated to discovering the delights of the capital, which centre around its bohemian atmosphere, arty nonchalance and buzzing tramways. After a hearty breakfast at your hotel this morning, you’ll be met by a clued-up local guide, who’ll be taking you on a relaxed and spontaneous walk around central Lisbon. This is a great way to not only soak in the city’s emblematic sights, but also to experience its more authentic side. We’re talking independent art galleries, private mansions, small churches, forgotten convents and old reservoirs… spots that fly under the radar of Lisbon’s regular tourists. Spend this afternoon escaping the hustle and bustle of Lisbon with an escape to Cacilhas, a small and scenic town located a short ferry ride away. Here you can visit the Jardim do Rio for panoramic views across Lisbon, before taking a lift up to a 165ft viewing platform. Savour the views with a dish of grilled fish or sautéed prawns before heading back to Lisbon.

Swap the cosmopolitan charms of Lisbon for the serene coast as you travel an hour and a half in your spacious and comfortable rental car to A dos Cunhados. Located on the beautiful shores of Grande Lisboa (a kind of ‘Greater Lisbon’ if you will), this small seaside resort has long been a prime getaway for city-dwellers. It is surrounded by sea, sand dunes and pine trees, making it the perfect place to relax, rejuvenate and recharge your batteries. Your home for the next two nights is a hippie-chic retreat surrounded by beachy wilderness. After settling in and freshening up, head out and spend the rest of today breathing in the fresh sea air as you take a stroll along the town’s stretch of golden sandy beach.

Today is all about soaking in the vast and varied beaches of this scenic sliver of Portugal’s west coast, starting with a trip to Mexilhoeira beach. Wild and dominated by cliffs, it is the perfect place to take in Portugal’s Atlantic coast. Cycle paths and dirt tracks stretch for miles, winding between beaches lined with pine trees. With a picnic basket full of goodies tucked into the front of your bike, head out and enjoy the coastal wind in your hair. This is great opportunity to check out some local sights, such as the Penafirme Convent, an ancient monastery submerged in the sand dunes. A private surf lesson can be arranged at Santa Cruz beach, or you can simply take in the show of paragliders on Santa Rita beach before reaching Porto Novo, a popular cove where the river meets the ocean. Following your beach outing, take part in an introduction to organic farming with a composting or tree planting session at a local farm. If you’d prefer to stick to the coast, you could instead opt for a fishing trip and cruise to the Berlengas Islands, setting sail from the peninsula town of Peniche.