What about a tour along Sintra’s coastline? These beaches offer a whole panoply of activities… enjoy an unforgettable view of the sea, go for a good swim or practice nautical sports, like surfing or windsurfing. For the more adventurous the sloped cliffs and hills are ideal for parapente jumping. Or you can just enjoy the strand shores for sunbathing!

We set off at Praia Grande. Considered the cleanest beach of Portugal’s Centre Region in 1997, it is still the preferred spot for many Portuguese to spend the hot summer days. A large strand shore calms down these stirring waters, which hosts the surf/windsurf World Championship every year. Other less sportive visitors can admire dinosaur footprints fossils marked on the rocks that embrace the beach. If you feel like enjoying the sea breeze, walk up the main road and take a glance at Praia Pequena… the same breathtaking view of the sea!

Next stop: Praia das Maçãs. Divided between mountain and sea, the “Apples’ Beach” is crossed by a river. The beach was named after the river that brought to sea the ripe apples that fell from the orchards that once existed. Many houses and restaurants were built around the strand shore and now you can have a snack at the many terraces before we continue.

We follow the road towards Gouveia to finish our journey… in verse! On the streets, the garden’s and the houses’ walls, old tiles display bold or moralist verses … all worthwhile reading if the sunlight is still around!