Colares, Portugal
A Home for Slow Days
Guide
for our guests
Groceries & Markets
Cafe & restaurants
Beaches
Villages & parks
Water & steam
Five trails
Lisbon tours
Chapter One — the table
Where we shop
Pantry & daily rituals
— seven places
Chapter One — the table
Where we eat
From the first bite of the day to the final glass poured late at night, this is where we like to eat. Below — the restaurants we keep coming back to: for honest flavors, thoughtful cooking, and the kind of atmosphere that turns a simple meal into something memorable.
Mornings & Breakfast
— three places
01
Quiosque das Maçãs
A charming seaside kiosk for refreshing drinks, snacks and light meals — right by the beach, feet nearly in the sand.
02
Villa Maçã
A café with a spacious summer terrace. Long brunches in the morning; fish and meat dishes later in the day.
03
Pão das Maçãs
A cosy bakery on the beach with its own oven — every loaf and pastry baked fresh that morning. The smell alone is worth the walk.
Lunch & Dinner
— seven places
01
Búzio
Fresh seafood, flavourful dishes and unhurried drinks in a cosy, seaside atmosphere. Perfect for a casual meal with friends or family by the ocean.
02
Restaurante Atlantiko Sintra
A seaside restaurant with fresh seafood, Mediterranean-inspired dishes and unobstructed ocean views.
03
Bar do Fundo
Perched on the cliff above Praia Grande. Fresh seafood, Portuguese classics, and one of the finest sunset views on the coast.
04
Moinho Dom Quixote
A quiet restaurant hidden in the Sintra mountains near Cabo da Roca. Homemade dishes from local, seasonal ingredients — some grown right in the restaurant's own garden.
05
Restaurante Azenhas do Mar
A scenic oceanfront restaurant next to the famous seaside pool of Azenhas do Mar. Fresh seafood and Portuguese cuisine with the sound of waves below.
06
Mensagem Baobezi
A cosy spot in Praia das Maçãs — sandwiches, light meals and a relaxed atmosphere. For a casual bite near the ocean.
07
Mãeterra
A cosy vegetarian and vegan bistro in the village of Almoçageme — fresh, seasonal dishes from organic ingredients. A charming spot for a healthy lunch or brunch.
Chapter Two — the shore
Six beaches,
one ocean.
The Atlantic here does not whisper. It arrives with weight and salt and rhythm, shaped by the cliffs that hold it. Each beach carries its own weather, its own light, its own reason for the walk.
01
Praia Grande
One of the largest, most scenic beaches on the Sintra coast. Powerful waves, golden sand, dramatic cliffs — made for surfing, long walks, and the kind of sunset you don't photograph.
02
Praia das Maçãs
A charming seaside kiosk for refreshing drinks, snacks and light meals — right by the beach, feet nearly in the sand.
03
Praia da Ursa
A charming seaside kiosk for refreshing drinks, snacks and light meals — right by the beach, feet nearly in the sand.
04
Quiosque das Maçãs
A charming seaside kiosk for refreshing drinks, snacks and light meals — right by the beach, feet nearly in the sand.
05
Praia da Adraga
Wide and peaceful, with dramatic cliffs and expansive views. At low tide, a long sandy spit shifts into almost desert-like landscapes. After rain, a small waterfall sometimes trickles down the cliffs onto the sand.
06
Miradouro da Praia do Caneiro
A cliffside viewpoint with panoramic views of the Atlantic and the rugged coastline. Hidden beaches and rock formations below — a perfect vantage for photography and the slow close of the day.
— seven places
Chapter Three — wandering
Villages, parks,
and places worth
the drive.
A few destinations beyond our immediate coast — some small, some
grand, all worth setting an afternoon aside for.
— seven places
01
Azenhas do Mar
A stunning cliffside village where whitewashed houses tumble down to the Atlantic. Known for its natural sea pool and dramatic views — a good place for seafood, sunsets, and the charm of coastal Portugal.
01
Ericeira
A lively coastal town of charming streets and fresh seafood. Popular with expats, remote workers and surfers — full of specialty cafés, boutique shops and very good restaurants.
01
Quinta do Pisão
A peaceful nature park in the Cascais countryside for hiking, cycling and family outings. Pick herbs and vegetables from the garden; visit the donkeys, goats and sheep. A good day with children.
01
Autódromo Fernanda Pires da Silva
The Estoril Circuit — Portugal's most storied racetrack, near Cascais. International motorsport events, track days and driving experiences. Check the calendar online; the right weekend can be extraordinary.
01
Sanctuary of Peninha
A historic hilltop sanctuary in the Sintra- Cascais Natural Park. Breathtaking views over ocean, forests and mountains — a quiet place for a scenic walk, a sunset, and the strange mystical weather that settles over Sintra.
Chapter Four — rest
Water, steam,
and the slow art
of doing less.
The Atlantic here does not whisper. It arrives with weight and salt and rhythm, shaped by the cliffs that hold it. Each beach carries its own weather, its own light, its own reason for the walk.
01
Nomad Steam Sintra
A ceremonial outdoor bath near Sintra — wood-fired, tent-based, unhurried. Designed to reconnect body and mind with the land around it.
02
Piscinas Oceânicas da Praia das Maçãs
Natural ocean-fed pools carved into the rocks along the coast. A safe way to swim in the Atlantic while still being held by it — with cliffside views as a quiet bonus.
— seven places
Where Relaxation Begins
If you are interested in deep bodywork and therapeutic recovery, please contact Catarina Esteves.
Catarina —
your journey to balance starts here
Catarina is a Lymphatic Drainage Therapist and movement specialist (Animal Flow L1 & L2 Instructor). Her work focuses on combining therapeutic massage techniques with a deep understanding of the body through movement, supporting recovery, relaxation, and nervous system regulation through her Conscious Flow approach.
Reach catarina directly
+351 918 390 399
catarinalesteves@gmail.com
Massage
Full Body Recovery Massage
(Relaxing & nervous system regulation)
90 min
€120
Full Body Cleansing Massage
(Exfoliation, ritual bath & relaxing massage)
90 min
€150
Foot Ritual Bath Ceremony
(Group sessions)
90 min
€120
Personal Training
Mobility | Strength | Flexibility | Breathing
60 min
€65
Personal Training + Recovery Massage
120 min
€150
Group Classes
Movement • HIIT Training • Mobility • Dance
60 min
€80
Chapter Five — on foot
Five days,
five trails.
Some paths are walked for the view at the end. Others, for what the walk
itself gives you. These are the ones we return to.
Day
01
Sintra Forest
Barragem → Convento dos Capuchos
Level · Easy
Duration · 2h 30
Theme · Forest
9:00
Rio da Mula — forest trails
A peaceful route along the stream, through eucalyptus and pine.
Way-point
10:15
Lagoa dos Mosqueiros
A lake deep in the forest — a good place to rest, catch your breath and your thoughts.
Way-point
11:00
Convento dos Capuchos
A 16th-century monastery carved into the rocks. Entry around €8. Return the same way, or call a taxi.
Finish
Day
02
The Cliffs
Praia da Adraga → Cabo da Roca
Level · Easy
Duration · 2h
Theme · Coast
8:30
Start
Praia da Adraga
Free parking near the beach. The trail heads south along the cliffs.
Open map
9:00
View-point
Fojo da Adraga
Stunning views of cliffs and ocean — less crowded than Cabo da Roca, and in some ways more beautiful.
Open map
10:15
Finish
Cabo da Roca (lighthouse)
The westernmost point of mainland Europe. Parking, a café and a small shop. Return via bus 403 to Sintra or a taxi.
Open map
Day
03
Late Afternoon
Praia das Maçãs → Azenhas do Mar
Level · Easy
Duration · 1h 30
Theme · Sunset
Day
04
Peninha
forest and ocean panorama
Level · Medium
Distance · ~8 km
Theme · Mountain
8:30
Start
Parking Peninha (Malveira da Serra)
Free parking. Head east along a forest trail through rocky outcrops.
Open map
9:00
Way-point
Pico do Monge
A forested ridge with rock formations and views over the valley. An archaeological site sits nearby.
Open map
10:15
Open map
Finish
Sanctuary of Peninha
360° panorama of Guincho, Cascais and the Atlantic. Semi-wild horses graze the hillside. Return the same way (~30 min).
Day
05
Cabo da Roca → Ursa → Praia Grande
the long walk
Level · Medium
Distance · ~10 km
Level · Difficult
Theme · Wild coast
8:30
Start
Cabo da Roca (lighthouse)
Free parking. Head north along the cliff edge. Download an offline map — there is no signal along the way.
Open map
9:00
Way-point
Ursa Beach — the secret beach
A steep 30-minute descent leads to a wild beach with giant guardian rocks. No café. No signal. Grip shoes essential.
Open map
10:15
Finish
Praia Grande — dinosaur tracks
At the southern end of the beach: Jurassic dinosaur footprints preserved in the rock. Restaurants and showers nearby. Return by taxi or
bus.
Open map
Lisbon,
with someone
who knows it.
If you would like to explore Lisbon with a professional guide, we
recommend reaching out to Viola — and choosing a tour that resonates
with you.
Viola —
ten years of
careful storytelling.
With over a decade in tourism, Viola creates immersive, authentic tours that engage all five
senses.
Each experience blends local culture, hidden corners, food and stories — allowing guests to truly feel the place, not just see it.
Reach Viola directly
WhatsApp · +380 93 166 5836
Tour 01
Lick Your Fingers
Lisbon tastings tour
Discover Lisbon through its flavours, culture and history — an
immersive, sensory experience.
Includes
10 tastings (with one full meal: meat, fish or vegetarian)
Local snacks, sweets & pastries
Alcoholic drinks
4 hours
€175
private · €125 group p.p.
Tour 02
Authentic Shopping
historic shops & stories
Explore Lisbon through its historic shops and family-run
businesses — some 100 to 300 years old. Meet local artisans and
discover the city through their stories.
Includes
Coffee or tea
An alcoholic drink
Pastel de nata
Traditional savoury snacks
3 hours
€165
private · €125 group p.p.
Tour 03
Best of Lisbon
an immersive city tour
A three-hour immersive city tour — neighbourhoods, local culture,
food spots and hidden corners, with insider stories.
Includes
Coffee or tea
Street food
Dessert
Water
3 hours
€125
private · €75 group p.p.