The Portuguese Riviera

This affluent coastal region of west Portugal has long been a drawcard for European royalty, espionage activity, and the rich and famous… the wealth in this region is obvious. And yet, we did not once feel out of place or unwelcome. This tiny triangle of Portugal is not to be missed!

Cascais

Exploring Cascais was a treat, and we felt privileged to be able to spend some time here. We instantly connected with the relaxed atmosphere as we wondered the cobbled streets, marvelled at the historic architecture, and soaked in the coastal sunshine.

This was our first taste of Portugal, and we liked it. After days aboard the children were happy to run amok in Parque Marechal Carmona and stroll along to the Boca do Inferno rock formations. They gobbled down cinnamon topped pastiche de nata, frolicked on the warm beaches, and slurped up gelatos on the side of the street.

We balanced the previous days at sea by taking coffee in the sunny European squares and pausing for shade under large palm trees; this was the warm summer vibe we had been waiting for.

Sintra

Taking the bus inland to Sintra provided a pleasantly unexpected change of scenery. Winding up into the hills was the first time we had been away from the water in months. And yet we shamefully had never heard of Sintra, despite its World Heritage Site status.

But this delightful town full of opulent mansions and centuries of history did not disappoint. Even the grey and wet autumn day couldn’t dampen the wonder of exploring the spectacular Palacio da Pena. The vividly painted facade of this 19th Century palace rose up above us and into the clouds from Sintra’s highest peak like something otherworldly.

And in the afternoon we meandered through the charming hilly alleyways of the town centre, enjoying the touristy buzz and stopping to sample some of the local delicacies before taking the bus back down to Cascais.

Lisbon

On our last day in the Riviera we took the train into Lisbon. It was one of those days where nothing seemed to be going right. It rained, we were tired, and the kids were hungry. Trams inexplicably wouldn’t turn up, and when they did, they were full. The city and its seven hills was hard to navigate by pram. Venues were closed when they shouldn’t have been.

But, it wasn’t all bad, and we were happy to simply meander about. Gratefully, we met up with some friends from London for lunch - which was a lovely reprieve. And despite having a bad day, it wasn’t Lisbon’s fault. We could see there was charm that lay beneath the surface, and perhaps one day we’ll get the chance to revisit the City of Spies…