For our first holiday together abroad as a couple we settled on Portugal (we already had Canada booked for later on in the year). We both like to go a bit of the beaten track and during my research I came across the small coastal town of Sesimbra which is about an hour south of Lisbon.
Sesimbra is a quaint little town that has a lovely beach and is a favourite of the Portuguese who flock here for their holidays and it was nice to go somewhere there weren't too many Brits.
We hired a car from Lisbon airport and drove the hour to get to our accommodation (further information below). We'd planned a few day trips and they did not disappoint:
Vineyards - we headed to a couple of vineyards about half an hour away (as we were driving it did mean the driver could only have a small taste but they were still worth the visit and we bought some bottles to enjoy in our accommodation on the balcony). We visited Jose Maria de Fonseca (Manor House) and Bacalhoa both in Azeitao. We did a tour and wine tasting as part of our visit and we would recommend both. Bacalhoa has quite a modern feel whereas Jose Maria de Fonseca feels quite traditional - both excellent. One thing that I found particularly fascinating at Bacalhoa was the ancient olive trees in the grounds (planted in c500 BC)!
Beaches - Heading towards Setúbal you reach the Arradida Natural Park which has some of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal - so clearly we had to go and visit. Unfortunately due to a road closure we only made it to one (Praia do Creiro) but it was absolutely stunning! The beach is surrounded by lush greenery and dramatic cliffs and I would highly recommend a visit to this area!
Cabo Espichel - Nestled at the southern tip of the Setúbal Peninsula, Cabo Espichel is a pretty cool place that offers a mix of natural beauty and historical intrigue. It's about a 15km drive from Sesimbra and we headed out there one morning. We began the day by checking out the lighthouse which was built in 1790. Unfortunately it wasn't open on the day we went but it was lovely to see and the views are spectacular from around there. We then head to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Cape Espichel (Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel). This pilgrimage site has drawn worshippers for centuries and features a church, a small chapel, and two long wings that once housed pilgrims. After this we went on a short walk to see the dinosaur footprints. These ancient tracks are pretty cool and are located along the cliffs.
Where we ate:
- Taberna Isaias - a highly recommended spot, especially if you love seafood. This restaurant is known for its fresh grilled fish and simple authentic Portuguese dishes. You simple pick which fish you would like to eat from the "tank" outside. We had an amazing turbot one night! The atmosphere is casual and no-frills, making it a favorite among locals and tourists alike.
- O Rodinhas - a great seafood restaurant located at Rua Marques de Pombal 251. The restaurant has a casual, welcoming atmosphere and is popular among both locals and tourists. We had a selection of local seafood and it was absolutely fantastic!
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Casa Mateus another amazing seafood restaurant. We ate here twice and had a Thai green seafood curry and fish soup - both excellent!
Where we stayed:
We stayed in an airbnb with a balcony overlooking the sea which was beautiful. You can find the apartment here. The apartment is a little outdated but it is clean and well equipped so it was all we needed for our stay as a couple.
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