Lying at the heart of this region, Portugal's capital is a city in which the exotic red tiled roofs of houses in its older parts blend with an atmosphere that is truly modern and European. After a morning of golf, we recommend that you visit some of the following:

- The medieval Castle of St. George, perched on top of a hill from which one has a panoramic view of' Lisbon.

Castle of S. Jorge

- In the Belém district, the Tower and the Monastery of the Hieronymites, built in the Manueline style. Both of these buildings have been classified by Unesco as part of the heritage of mankind.

Among the city’s museums and their precious collections, we would recommend the Museu dos Coches, the Museu do Azulejo, the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, and the Museu Calouste Gulbenkien.

Tower of Belém

Close to Lisbon lie the palm avenues and luxurious hotels of Estoril, and the ancient fishing village of Cascais. Both may be visited during breaks between rounds of golf.

To the north of Estoril lies the historic town of Sintra, which is surrounded by a mountain range whose forests are several centuries old. Here one can see the twin conical chimney towers of the Palácio Nacional. Perched there on the mountain, the Palácio da Pena is redolent of the memory, of the last Portuguese kings, and its stately rooms are open to visitors.

Further north, one may visit the impressive Palace-Convent at Mafra.

Returning to Lisbon, the Palácio Nacional de Queluz is a sophisticated example of the Rococo style.

Palácio da Pena 

Palácio de Queluz

Crossing the bridge that links Lisbon with the south bank of the Tagus, the visitor is offered one of the world's most beautiful panoramic views: as it stretches down the estuary, Lisbon spreads itself before him or her.

Make a detour to the historic Castles of Palmela and Setúbal, both with Pousadas, where one may relax after a game of golf, or visit the castle and the fishing village of Sesimbra.

We might suggest a restaurant where you could listen to the nostalgic fado, a word that signifies destiny transformed into music.

Castle of Palmela

Spend an afternoon in Óbidos; there you can admire the impeccable white houses, and a church covered with painted tiles and decorated with a fabulous 17th-century painting. There is a magnificent Pousada built inside the medieval castle.

Proceed to Tomar, a town founded by the Knights Templars, where a visit to the Convento de Cristo (12th century), with its impressive Manueline window, is a must.

Óbidos - Castle

The Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Alcobaça (12th century) is one of the most remarkable Cistercian abbeys in Europe, and is classified by Unesco as part of heritage of mankind. Inside, statues on the tombs of D. Pedro and D. Inês stand out as masterpieces of Gothic art.

Alcobaça Monastery

The Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Vitória, at Batalha, (14th-15th centuries) is also classified by Unesco. Built in the Gothic style, it is a beautiful example of the Portuguese Gothic style. Its pantheon, lit by magnificent stained glass windows, houses the tombs of D. João I and his wife, Philippa of Lancaster, and their sons, amongst whom was Henry the Navigator.

Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória - Batalha

Climate - This is a coastal region, which experiences a warm and dry climate throughout the year.
Season High 26C / 79F - Low 14 C / 57F
The region, north of Lisbon which enjoys a mild climate with small seasonal variations.
Season High 19 C/ 67 F - Low 10 C / 50 F

Text: ICEP