For a Half Day

Estoril and Cascais: The resort of Estoril, located approximately 30km (19 miles) west of Lisbon, has long attracted the wealthy, who have built villas in the green hills above the beaches. A little further west from Estoril, Cascais has had a somewhat more humble history, operating more as a working fishing town than as a hideaway for the rich. Both attract crowds of tourists from Lisbon and abroad to their wide Atlantic beaches and watersports facilities. Cascais is renowned for its seafood restaurants, while Estoril has one of Europe's largest casinos. Trains to both destinations depart from Cais do Sodré station. Further information on both Estoril and Cascais is available from Estoril Coast Tourism Board, Arcadas do Parque (tel: (21) 465 9580; website: www.estorilcoast-tourism.com).

For a Whole Day

Sintra: The many palaces, villas and gardens around Sintra, situated in the mountains west of Lisbon, have earned it a place as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Sintra is dominated by the Palácio Nacional de Sintra (tel: (21) 910 6840), a royal summer palace that was largely developed in the 15th and 16th centuries and now houses the world's most important collection of Mudejar azulejos (glazed tiles). The palace is open Thurs-Tues 1000-1730 and can be reached by train from Rossio station. Admission charge. The Sintra Tourism Office, Praça da República 23 (tel: (21) 923 1157; website: www.cm-sintra.pt), can provide further information.