Top Reasons To Go

Fairy-tale getaway: Sintra—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—has gorgeous palaces and gardens, and a landscape that inspires poetry. The combination makes it ripe for romantics.

Endless beaches: All along the Estoril Coast and from Costa da Caparica to Cabo Espichel and around Arrábida, beautiful beaches await. If lively ones are your style, head to Cascais and Caparica; tranquil alternatives are hidden among the cliffs around Guincho, Cabo da Roca, and Cabo Espichel.

Divine wine: The Setúbal Peninsula is home to Moscatel de Setúbal (a sweet fortified wine) and to several well-known wine producers, including JM Fonseca, Quinta da Bacalhoa, and João Pires (J.P. Vinhos). North of the Tagus are other historical wine regions, most notably Colares, near Sintra.

Fabulous seafood: Marisqueiras (seafood restaurants) are an essential component of Portuguese culture, and this region has some of the best in Portugal.