Costa Azul Holidays

The rugged west coast of mainland Portugal, just south of the beautiful capital city, Lisbon, is known as the Costa Azul. This Blue Coast is aptly named for a couple of reasons as the ultramarine depths of the Atlantic wash the shoreline and the azure blue of the skies adds an extra hint of blue. Of course, we cannot think of Portugal without mentioning the “azulejos” or pretty blue hand-painted ceramic tiles which adorn buildings and decorate doorways and garden walls, so a further tint of blue is a real Portuguese trait. 

Costa Azul is a wonderful holiday destination as the area provides great swathes of pristine sandy beach, towering cliffs where the Atlantic tumbles below, natural parkland with hiking trails, the dramatic mountain range Serra da Arrabida and lots of very atmospheric towns and villages. 

Holidays in Portugal’s Costa Azul encompass the pretty fishing hamlet, now a thriving town, of Sesimbra, where city dwellers from Lisbon love to spend their weekends; the village of Sines where the famous explorer Vasco da Gama discovered the route to India and the attractive city of Setubal, renowned for sardine fishing. Costa Azul has further charms like historic churches, many local fiestas and, perhaps the most important of all, delicious cuisine inspired by the sea. Platters of the freshest seafood and fish are the order of the day, literally! Specialities of the area include fish stews, stuffed fish, fried eels and marvellous cheeses and wines.