Lines of Torres

The fort that stopped Napoleon, the beaches of the West and fish in Ericeira.

History in the morning and the beach in the afternoon: it starts at the fort that helped stop Napoleon's troops, heads on to the open beaches of Santa Cruz and ends with fresh fish in Ericeira, paid separately. It is a relaxed day, with short walks and the sea never far away, for lovers of history and beaches.

The day, stop by stop

1. 

   1

   Forte de São Vicente

   The Fort of São Vicente, on a hill above Torres Vedras, was begun in 1809 as part of the Lines of Torres Vedras, the defences that halted Napoleon's troops on their way to Lisbon. You walk along the ditches, earth ramparts and bastions, with wide views over the valley and the town. The old chapel houses an interpretation centre that tells the story of the Lines. Choose a dry day, as the paths are earth tracks, and wear comfortable shoes.

2. 

   2

   Santa Cruz

   Santa Cruz is a small seaside resort in the municipality of Torres Vedras, with a string of Atlantic beaches separated by rocks and cliffs. The main beach is long and good for surfing and bodyboarding, and there are calmer, family-friendly coves such as Formosa. It is worth walking the clifftop promenade to see the rocks rising from the sand, such as Penedo do Guincho. The sea here is strong, so choose lifeguarded areas for swimming. At lunch there is fresh fish, paid separately.

3. 

   3

   Ericeira

   Ericeira is a fishing town of white houses trimmed in blue, set on low cliffs, at the heart of a coastline named a World Surfing Reserve in 2011, the first in Europe. You stroll through the streets and small squares of the centre and out to the viewpoints above the fishermen's beach. This is a place for shellfish and fresh fish, and at lunch it is worth trying whatever came in that day, paid separately. Your driver drops you in the centre and collects you by the sea.

The essentials

Duration

6 h · Day

Pick-up

At your hotel. The final price depends on where you are staying; we confirm it when you tell us.

Included

The car and the driver, only for your group, tolls and water.

Not included

Entrance tickets and meals.

Who it is for

History and beach lovers.

The route