I think this beautiful little bucolic village, built on a bay, is the ideal place to drink a coffee while enjoying the view. Unfortunately I don't live there, but a stop to see the ocean pool and the little white houses on top of the mountains, almost on the edge of the cliff, is a breath of fresh air that clears our mind as we are introduced to the beauty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Well, daydreams aside, the Azenhas do Mar<\/em> it was the vacation spot of King D. Carlos, his wife D\u00aa. Am\u00e9lia and her mother, D\u00aa. Maria Pia. In 1927, the Primary School was built, which served as a model for the primary school buildings of the Estado Novo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The village is part of Colares, a wine region demarcated since 1908, characterized by vineyards on sandy soil. Before, it was known for the number of watermills \u2013 some still visible to everyone \u2013 that existed there. You can't help but stop at the viewpoint, to the south, and take that photo that many people know: of the beach and ocean pool below and the white houses that look like they're about to fall into the sea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Castle of<\/strong> Palmela<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n With a spectacular view of the city of Set\u00fabal and a good part of the Tr\u00f3ia Peninsula, the Palmela Castle<\/em> It had a defense function, in addition to the religious one. The city of Palmela is located in one of the foothills of the Serra da Arr\u00e1bida, and developed because of the castle built at the highest point of the mountain, from where you can see the entire region that stretches between the Sado and Tagus rivers, and can also be seen the Serra de Sintra in the distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A spectacular viewpoint, truly breathtaking, is one of the most beautiful in the region. Palmela was reconquered from the Moors by the first King of Portugal, D. Afonso Henriques, in the 12th century with the help of the Knights of the Order of Santiago de Espada, who rewarded him by donating these lands for settlement and defense. In the 15th century, a convent was founded inside Palmela Castle where churches and houses were also built.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can spend a very pleasant time there, there is a cafe and even shops with travel souvenirs. There are two churches, one in ruins and the other with an imposing facade! What's really worth it is drinking a coffee (ok, one more, but it could be something else) and enjoying the view that the place offers. Palace and Convent of Mafra<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The city of Mafra, just over 30 kilometers from Lisbon, is known for its horticultural production in addition to housing the imposing palace-convent, nothing less than the largest Portuguese building, built in the 19th century. XVIII by order of D. Jo\u00e3o V. It was supposed to be a small work, but it became a convent that housed 300 religious. <\/p>\n\n\n\n O Palace and Convent of Mafra<\/em> It is so grand that, in addition to the convent for 300 friars, it includes a basilica and a royal palace with 666 rooms (that's right: 666 rooms), in a very short time (given the size of the building) between 1717 and 1730. It has the largest corridor palatial pedestrian walkway in Europe, more than 230 meters long. In addition, it has a pharmacy, hospital, 28 internal gardens and many, many rooms. The hunting room is spectacular!!!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n But that's not all: inside the palace, its famous library, in rococo style, with more than 30 thousand rare and original books, leather bound and carefully preserved, is famous alone. It is as imposing as the palace: it is 88 meters long, 13 meters high and 9.5 meters wide. No wonder it is considered one of the 25 most beautiful libraries in the world. And I more than agree!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cabo da Roca<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n And how about visiting the westernmost point of Continental Europe, Cabo da Roca? This is where the sea ends and Europe begins. With cliffs almost 150 meters high, the place is beautiful, but here's a tip: take a coat, even when it's hot. In Cabo da Roca it is very windy, almost to the point that you cannot stand standing (in winter). From here we can see the beautiful Serra de Sintra and the Atlantic Ocean on the horizon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There is a tourist office and a cafe and gift shop on site (but, honestly, I don't recommend it, as the price is high and the service leaves something to be desired). Enjoy contemplating the beautiful rock formations, the sea horizon and the nature of the place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Serra da Arr\u00e1bida<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To get to know it we have to cross the Tagus River. The beautiful mountain is located within a national park \u2013 the Parque Natural da Serra da Arr\u00e1bida<\/em>. With roads humming the mountains, what we see is pure beauty: the sea and the beautiful beaches far below and at another point, the Tr\u00f3ia Peninsula, and in the distance the famous Comporta beach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Tr\u00f3ia Peninsula is known, in addition to its beauty, for the constant presence of dolphins. It is well worth traveling through these mountains and leaving Lisbon via one of the bridges (25 de Abril and Vasco da Gama) and returning via the other. This way the return is complete. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ericeira<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A well-known fishing village, Ericeira has changed a lot in recent years, but has maintained its fishing village essence: the houses are white and blue and the local government is doing a good job in preserving and restoring the village. Located approximately 50 kilometers from Lisbon, in an easily accessible area, its beaches are very popular during the summer, being considered among the best in Europe for surfing. So much so, that one of the surfing world championships takes place here and it is even common to see children taking surfing lessons, in addition to dozens of stores aimed at this audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/portugalafora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/azenhasdomar01.jpg\")
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