Summertime on Portugal's coastline

If you have never been to Portugal before you probably will not want to miss seeing the country's capital - Lisbon.

However, the heat and urban intensity of a continental capital over the summer months may not be as relaxing as getting out onto beaches, swimming in the ocean and taking it easy in some smaller towns.

One way of getting the best of both worlds is to stay in the region surrounding the city, with plenty of opportunities to take day-trips into Lisbon, but also enjoy the Atlantic coastline.

You can holiday with moneyed Lisbon locals by staying in Estoril, 26 kilometres from the capital, an upmarket coastal town with plenty of beaches.

Golfers are the best catered for out here, with challenging local courses good enough to bring in the pros during the annual Portugal Open Golf tournament, which will take place from March 29th to April 1st 2007.

Tennis facilities and horse riding opportunities are also good, with private tennis clubs attracting professionals to the Estoril Tennis Open, April 28th to May 2007 and the International Festival of Lusitano Horses taking place from June 6th to 10th 2007.

At night you can head for Estoril's casino complex, which hosts lots of different events including concerts and other entertainment such as dancing and circus acts in its theatre.

Another town in the region which is certainly worth a day-trip if not a longer stay is Sintra, 28 kilometres north of Lisbon.

Unlike Estoril, Sintra is inland and sits on the eastern slopes of the Serra de Sintra, a mountain range that stretches ten miles all the way the western tip of Europe - Cape Roca.

Sintra's must-sees are its palaces and grand buildings - recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site, thanks to its 19th century Romantic buildings.

One of the best times to the visit the town is during the music festival in July, which gives fans of classical music a chance see performances from international orchestras and enjoy the interiors and grounds of the attractive buildings.

Less of a night-spot than Estoril, the town is better for a refined meal at one of its many restaurants, with foodies well catered for.

A local speciality to taste is sweet cheese cupcakes wrapped in thin pastry. Produced by two rival bakers, travellers with a sweet tooth may want to try one from each to decide which is the best.

The town is also surrounded by thick forests of pine and oak and ferns, ideal for walkers to go out and explore.

For more information see www.visitportugal.com

British Airways has flights from £57 each way from London Heathrow, departing in May 2007 available from www.britishairways.com