One of the joys of the Lisbon Coast region is its diversity. Visitors benefit from the culture and history attributed with Portugal's capital city, Lisbon but also the excellent beaches, golf courses and places of interest in the surrounding countryside.

Perhaps one of the most delightful of coves on the Lisbon Coast is Portinho da Arrábida, nestling at the base of the Arrábida Mountains not far from the fishing village of Sesimbra on the Costa Azul.

Across the bay, the long sand spit of Tróia has recently got approval for redevelopment as a tourist resort and a new marina is expected to be built in Setúbal. Further south, the Santo André lagoon and the Roman ruins near Santiago do Cacém and Sines are both popular attractions.

Moving north, the Caparica coast has over 30 kilometres of uninterrupted beach ideal for surfing and windsurfing. A small train runs along the beach from the town of Caparica giving access to the more secluded beaches further along the coast.

West of Lisbon, the charming fishing town of Cascais is an excellent place to sample the local seafood and wine. Beach lovers and surfers will enjoy Guincho, close to the most westerly point of Europe, Cabo do Rocha. In the hills inland, the majestic World Heritage site of Sintra is rich in history and has a busy gypsy market every other weekend.

And at the heart of the Lisbon Coast, the capital Lisbon, with its narrow cobbled streets of the Alfama and the splendid palaces and monuments around Belém.