Get a taste of times gone by in this charming Portuguese hilltop village in a national park on the Iberian Peninsula.
The typical Portuguese village of Almoçageme is nestled in Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais, a forested nature reserve in Colares. Visit local wine cellars, mingle with the locals in the square, hike along mountain trails or spend a few lazy hours at the beach.
To get to Almoçageme, fly to Lisbon and rent a car. You can also take the train to Sintra, then pick up a rental car and drive for about 20 minutes or take the bus in the direction of Cascais, which stops in Almoçageme.
Start your explorations at its central village square. Join the older villagers around the fountain for some people-watching. Order fresh calamari from the fish stall or sit down for roast chicken with chips in the next booth. In the afternoon, order local Colares wine or have dinner in a café or restaurant in town.
Another great side trip is the incredibly picturesque village of Azehnas do Mar, perched high on a cliff directly above the beach just to the north of Almoçageme.
Follow the hiking trails along the coast and towards the small Sintra mountain. Head for the towering cliffs of Cabo da Roca (Roca Cape) and walk up to the Cabo da Roca Lighthouse, which marks the westernmost point of mainland Europe. Look out over the Atlantic Ocean and admire the ruggedness of the granite boulders that mark this continental edge.
Walk up the hill for about 25 minutes, or drive up, to reach Flores do Cabo, a restored winery just southeast of Almoçageme. Visit its café that serves organic, vegetarian food, browse its art gallery and check its events calendar for yoga sessions, cooking classes and concerts.
On weekends and Thursdays, visit Almoçageme’s farmers markets. Buy locally grown fruit and vegetables or freshly baked bread, home-made honey and fragrant flowers from the friendly locals.
In the cooler temperatures of the late afternoon, walk or drive the short distance to Praia da Adraga (Adraga Beach) below the town. Saunter along the beach, sunbathe on the warm sand or read a book in the shade of a cliff. To end the day in style, treat your loved ones to a romantic sunset dinner with a view of the bay.
