A week on the Arrábida coast

Three to seven days on the coast between Lisbon and Tróia. Hire a yacht with a skipper and this is the route Pedro would sail.

Day one: Lisbon to Cascais

Leave Lisbon, pass the Bugio lighthouse at the mouth of the Tagus and spend the night in the marina at Cascais, with dinner in town.

Day two: Cabo Espichel and Sesimbra

Head across to Cabo Espichel, keeping a lookout for whales and dolphins. Rounding the cape is an unforgettable moment. Soon afterwards come Ribeira do Cavalo and the other beaches and coves you can only reach by boat: take the dinghy and explore. Moor in Sesimbra for the evening and enjoy the best fish on the coast.

Day three: Arrábida

Explore the shallows under the Serra da Arrábida and take the dinghy to the Lapa de Santa Margarida, a place of pilgrimage for seafarers. This natural cave at the foot of the hills hides an extraordinary chapel inside. It is about twenty metres deep, with two small chambers, and although it is close to Portinho da Arrábida you will only find it if you know where to look. On one side is the turquoise sea; on the other, a secret tunnel that, legend says, leads up to the Convent of Nossa Senhora da Arrábida.

Day four: Setúbal

After Portinho da Arrábida, Galapinhos, the restaurants and the sandbanks, Setúbal is a must. Do not miss the fried cuttlefish, the old town and the castle. Nearby, the convents and palaces of the Serra da Arrábida hide artisan wines and the famous Moscatel, the Palácio da Comenda and other old estates.

Day five and beyond: Tróia and the Sado

Cross the Sado, the blue river, to the marina at Tróia. Try the casino if you dare, or enjoy the islands and sandbars at low tide. Upriver there are treasures to discover: the stilt harbour of Carrasqueira, Roman and Phoenician ruins, deserted beaches. A whole world to explore by dinghy.

The boat

For this trip Pedro suggests the Elisis, a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 with three cabins and two bathrooms, comfortable and stable, and carrying a dinghy for the beaches. It is going to be a perfect holiday.

Pedro