Montemor-o-Velho- just 30 minutes by train from Figueira da Foz

Just 25 minutes by train from Figueira da Foz (€1.65) is Montemor-o-Velho, a beautifully preserved castle that dates back to the ninth Century and is categorised as a National Monument by the Portuguese government.

Visit the castle on a beautiful, sunny day with a picnic and spend the day in the grounds of the castle, gazing out on the surrounding rice fields that bank the Mondego River. From the high vantage point of the castle you’ll see flocks of ducks and storks building their nests as well as brightly coloured Portuguese rowing boats making their way down the river.

Outside the castle walls Montemor-o-Velho still has more history to offer in the narrow Medieval streets that surround the castle, take a walk along them and discover the large manor houses decorated with painted flowers that were typical of this era.