Home /
Location Guide /
Costa Lisboa
Costa Lisboa houses the capital of Portugal, Lisbon. The region extends along the coastline, starting at the beach town of Ericiera to the east inland to just above the town of Vila Franca de Xira, cuts southwards including the town of Palmela and continuing south in Alcácer do Sal and Grândola then west and up with coast on the beach of Porto Covo.
The dazzling capital stretches along the banks of the Tagus river. Typical of any city that started in the 17th century, Lisbon sprang from a fortress by the river then expanded into what it is today. Highlighting the city are monuments inspired by the Age of Discoveries, picturesque houses with facades decorated with ornate ceramic tiles. With the port and marinas situated nearby, water sports are popular past-times.
Outside the city, one will find the the Mafra Convent, the cosmopolitan seaside resort of Cascais, the Arrábida hills and their nature reserve with its ancient trees, the city of Setúbal, picturesque Sesimbra, and the aristocratic country-houses of Azeitão. The area is home to a wide variety of leisurely activites such as water sports, golf courses and, in the summer, open air music festivals.
The Atlantic coast, which stretches to the south, north and west of Lisbon, features a landscape that swiftly changes from high cliffs to beaches of white sand, highlighted by lagoons. The Guincho beach is a great place for those who enjoy surfing and windsurfing. Meanwhile, the Tróia peninsula features 11 miles of beaches and golf courses.
Cabo da Roca is westernmost point of Europe. This is a region coastal villages Sezimbra, Peniche and Nazaré, home of the brightly-coloured fishing boats. Further inland, UNESCO has announced global heritage sites at Alcobaça, Tomar and Batalha where there are ancient monasteries and convents of the religious orders in 12th-16th centuries, including medieval abbeys and gothic royal tombs at Alcobaca. Moorish influence can still be seen in the ancient castles and whitewashed houses found in Leiria, Tomar, Óbidos and Santarém. Roman architecture is also very apparent in the churches, cathedrals and fortresses found in many of the towns. For Catholics, a popular pilgrimage destination is the historic Fatima.
