Set on a curving turquoise bay 40 km south of Lisbon, Sesimbra is both an attractive fishing town and popular tourist resort.
Protected from north winds by the slopes of the Serra da Arrábida, it was occupied by the Romans and later the Moors.
Lisboetans flock here at weekends to dine in the many beach-front fish restaurants after taking a relaxing evening stroll along the promenade.
What to see. Overlooking the beach and brightly-coloured fishing boats in the bay, the miniature fort of São Teodósio was built in the 17th century to defend Sesimbra against pirates. In town, the 15th-century church of the Misericórdia contains a painting of Nossa Senhora da Misericórdia attributed to Gregório Lopes (1490-1550). 250 metres above the town stands the restored five-tower medieval castle, originally a Moorish fortress captured by Afonso Henriques in 1165. Housed inside the castle walls, the church of Santa Maria dates back to the 12th century.
Nearby. 12 km west of Sesimbra lies the flat promontory of Cabo Espichel, a wild enchanted place with magnificent views northwards to Lisbon and the mouth of the River Tagus. Flanked on both sides by pilgrims' lodgings, the weather-beaten church of Nossa Senhora do Cabo built in 1701 features Baroque paintings and a frescoed ceiling. A short drive east of Sesimbra brings you to the lovely little bay of Portinho da Arrábida, one of the most picturesque beach settings in Portugal.