Lisbon has earned its reputation for good reason: stunning viewpoints over pastel coloured roofs, waterfront food markets, boutique shopping, sprawling parks and a buzzing bar district. I couldn’t have been more content sipping my €2 beer looking over the water at one of said markets, enjoying the 26C heat in October when I visited Portugal last week. 

Even though I was only away for four days, Lisbon was the ideal city break because it is so close to beautiful beach towns. You can get the best of both worlds without feeling rushed. After two nights in Lisbon, I took a 30-minute taxi ride east to spend the weekend in the beach town of Cascais, and it wrapped up the break perfectly.

When we arrived in the town on Friday, it instantly had a different feel from buzzing Lisbon. The streets were those of a relaxed seaside town with plenty of tree-lined avenues and the pace felt slower.

Cafes lined the golden sands of Praia da Rainha, and within a 10-minute drive, you can reach sprawling sandy beaches with great surfing waves.

As you walk through the cobbled streets, you’ll soon notice that it’s a paradise for foodies. The majority of restaurants are independent, serving fresh grilled octopus, pastel de natas, and piri piri chicken.

But if you fancy a taste of something different to Portuguese fare, head to Afonso Sanches street, where you can bounce from restaurant to bar and eat tacos, fresh pasta, or sushi. 

There was also a weekly handicraft market in the central park, Visconde da Luz. Instead of the usual tourist trinkets, every item was unique, like the oyster shells turned into jewellery holders.

And when you’re done there, you can browse the pretty independent shops selling local ceramics and boutique jewellery.

The town is clearly popular among tourists, but I think it is well worth a trip when you are short on time and want a beach break. City breaks can often be jam-packed, but this short detour will ensure you return to the UK feeling refreshed.