Lisbon is magical – but there’s even more to see outside the city. Here are three day trip destinations to make your Portugal holiday even more special.
Time-travel in elegant Evora
Evora dates back to Roman times, a stunning UNESCO-listed town that sprang up on an important trade route. That’s why the fourteen Corinthian columns rising up in the town centre are so imposing and grand – this was an important place. It’s also home to Portugal’s second-oldest university, founded way back in the 1500s. Evora is the glittering star of the Alentejo region, left unscathed by the massive 1755 earthquake and a masterpiece in architectural styles through the ages.
This place is full of amazing Instagram opportunities. There’s something lovely up every street, a maze-like affair of whitewashed houses with iron balconies, fit for royalty and in fact a favourite place for the royals to stay. Portugal was busy plundering the New World at the time and the architectural trends of the time are clear in Brazil, where Portuguese is the national language.
The thundering great city walls, towers and gates date back to King Afonso IV, who was in charge during the 1300s, but parts of them are as old as third century and the Moorish-looking bits were added in the early middle ages. There’s a mile and a quarter of walls to walk, all with yet more killer views.
1300s Evora cathedral sits at the heart of all this visual wonderment, not particularly good-looking from the outside but with balcony views that are a real feast for the eyes inside, and offering something interesting for people who like creepy stuff. The Chapel of Bones was built by Franciscan monks in the 1600s in an effort to solve a chronic lack of space to bury people. The skulls of around 5000 people make a spooky audience, lining the chapel walls, as you wander the building – which is lovely and cool, a nice break from the sun.
The city’s museum is inside the 1500s Episcopal palace, packed with around 20,000 treasures telling the city’s history: paintings and sculpture, jewellery and furniture, textiles and pottery. Then there’s Praca do Giraldo where people chill out in the sunshine to watch the world go by with a cold drink and a snack. All very cosmopolitan and wonderfully relaxing. There’s a beautiful 1500s fountain, an attractive church, a maze of cobbled streets to explore and actually enjoy getting lost.
Make your way to the 1500s aqueduct, which brings water in from an impressive twelve and a half miles away. Apparently it follows the route of a Roman aqueduct and includes some of the stones from it. Waste not, want not! They’ve built houses into the arches, offering more scenic fabulousness.
Last but not least, there’s a Roman Temple, the best preserved Roman ruin in Portugal. A Corinthian temple built in the 1st century, some say it’s probably devoted to Diana, others disagree. The slim fluted columns are made from granite, the bases are marble brought in from 25 miles away.
Quality lounging on Cascais’ legendary beaches
Cascais itself is a feast of the finest eye-candy. The beaches are the icing on the cake. There are some incredible beaches in the immediate area and more a short walk or drive away. Some come with stunning views and perfect sunbathing, others are all about the surf. There’s intimate, enormous, and everything in between.
This charming town is great for art lovers, a hub for creative types stuffed with cool museums and arty places to discover . The food is just as good, and of course the wines are smashing. There’s nothing quite like drinking wine that’s been grown and made in the country you’re holidaying.
While the tourists flock to the Algarve for its crystal clear waters and dramatic coastline, locals come to have fun by the sea at Cascais, one of the Portuguese people’s favourite places to have a beach break. So… here are the best beaches in Cascais.
- Praia da Conceição – Absolutely huge, close to the shops, perfect for families
- Praia da Duquesa – Nearest to the railway station, lovely clear waters
- Praia da Poça – Dramatic rocks plus sand make it great for families, not too far from the railway station and eateries
- Praia da Rainha – Close to the Old Town, which is on the top of the cliffs behind you
- Praia da Rata – Surf-sized waves, a jetty, not the most suitable for children
- Praia de Santa Marta – Small, comparatively secluded, popular with couples
- Praia de São Pedro do Estoril – A lovely 3 mile walk from Cascais with calm waters and white sand, brilliant for swimming
- Praia do Guincho – Fabulous surfing and delicious views
- Ribeira Beach – Near the marina, lovely sand, but the water isn’t the same high quality as the other beaches
- Tamariz Beach – Activities, a nightclub, eateries, soft sand – a great all-rounder
The Venice of Portugal – Super-scenic Aveiro
Aveiro is a charming lagoon town near Lisbon, a place with loads of sinuous Art Nouveau architecture along with posh restaurants for dedicated foodies. Look out for the legendary azulejo tiles embellishing the buildings. This place is often called the Venice of Portugal thanks to its small network of canals and colourful gondola-like boats called moliceiros, on hire for mellow boat trips.
Surrounded by low-lying land, salt pans and shallow coastal lagoons, this is a wealthy place – and it shows. A lovely lively buzz adds to the experience, a place full of history that’s also bang up to the minute with a youthful flavour. Wander the narrow streets past pastel and jewel-coloured homes and marvel at the canals, lagoons, beaches, architecture, art, crafts, food, museums more, all with a salty fresh flavour.
A moliceiro boat cruise is a must, a way to snap different and interesting views to share. Each boat is decorated with vivid scenes from the town’s history. Take a short or four hour guided tour to learn about the town’s agricultural roots, historic buildings and new features, tracking its growth through the ages.
Aveiro is world famous for its splendid Art Nouveau buildings, strung along the main canal in downtown Aveiro. Being Portugal, the style has been enhanced by unusually bright colours to create a truly beautiful look. Then there’s the Art Nouveau museum, inside a period building so stunning it’s a destination of its own. Don’t miss the Casa de Chá tea house for quality relaxation and much deliciousness. Then go do history. The churches here are all worth a visit. Igreja da Misericórdia de Aveiro dates back to the 1500s, perfectly pretty with its blue and white azulejos tiling. The Mosteiro de Jesus dates to the 1400s, a popular historic monument. And there are more museums to lose yourself in: the Aveiro City Museum, Casinha de Bonecas, Fábrica Centro Ciência Viva de Aveiro, Visionarium (Portugal) 3 and the Aveiro Salines.
Inspired? That’s just three of the best
There’s a huge amount to do and see around Lisbon. And that means your Lisbon transfers are just the start of the story. Happy exploring!
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