http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19693 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19693 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19692 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19692 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19691 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19691 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19690 After, go to the café/restaurant for some great food and of course a bottle of wine from the Ribera Del Duero region, superb.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19690 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19689 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19689 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19631
The other one in Castelo de Vide with two great slides for the kids, large swimming pool, small children's pool, sun loungers, shades and grass areas with small olive trees and a cafe/restaurant.
A respite from the hot Alentejo sun and the kids will love it.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19631 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19628 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19628 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19627 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19627 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19625 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19625 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19286
The café offers excellent Portuguese cuisine with a French flavour. After a long walk to the palace and castle on the hill spend the afternoon relaxing here with a bottle of Borba red wine.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19286 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18645 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18645 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13599
There are Interesting rock formations and natural seawater pools, plenty to keep the kids amused.

The watermills were a popular seaside retreat in the 1950s. They have recently been carefully restored, offering a restaurant, bar and swimming pool arranged on different levels.

The restaurant has a stylish seaside wood panelled interior with magnificent views to the Atlantic Ocean. It offers a great selection of fresh fish and seafood caught locally by one of the owners, and is complemented by an excellent wine list.

The snack bar, Terraço da Azenha, situated above the restaurant and swimming pool, has a series of small terraces with great views. Inside the bar, through a glass section in the floor, you can see the old workings of the mill. It offers a good selection of snacks including sweet and savoury crêpes.

Well worth a visit, and you will find great walks that will take you along the cliffs to the beaches of Praia das Maças and Praia Grande.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13599 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12585 Distance about 7.3km (1h 50 min.)

Start early in the morning and take some water, as in the summer months it can be rather hot.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12585 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12421
Praia da Adraga - wild and wonderful, Praia Grande - great surfing and body boarding, and Praia das Maças - body boarding and good for families, are some of the best. Lifeguards are on duty from mid June to mid September.

If you like walking, there is a walk that takes you to all the beaches along the cliff tops, with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12421 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11921 Great meandering paths take you through the woods, rich in a variety of magnificent trees, past waterfalls, stepping stones and the chapel ruins coming out on to a vast hill of grass leading up to the palace.

A magnificent building recently restored, with a mix of Moorish and Italian decoration. There is a fantastic walk from here to the Capuchos Monastery, also known as Santa Cruz or the Cork Monastery, a quiet and tranquil place - a small monastery built in the rock. The tiny rooms lined with cork are a telling example of the humble and austere existance of the Franciscan friars who lived here.
Well worth a visit.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11921 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11850
A traditional Portuguese period building tastefully restored in a rustic style. Choose from cushioned windowseats in the interior or sitting in the shade on the esplanade.

An excellent range of traditional pastries and cakes is available throughout the day, and at lunchtime, hot and cold meals are served with a selection of local wines. Don't miss it.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11850 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11848
A traditional restaurant frequented by the locals. The interior is decorated with some interesting poems and sketches by the clientele. The restaurant offers typical Portuguese home cooking accompanied by jugs of wine.

Excellent value and a friendly service. A must if you are in the area.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11848 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11839
Stunning views of the Atlantic coast and dinosaur footprints made 120 million years ago imprinted in the cliff face at Praia Grande make this a superb walk.

You can continue the walk to many other beaches and sights from here, or simply return to your starting point.

Ask for maps at the tourist office in Sintra.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11839 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11833
Take lunch at the restaurant which is great for fresh fish and seafood. You can choose your lobster or crab from the large tank. Recommended are amêijoas à bulhão pato (clams in garlic and white wine sauce),accompanied by a chilled bottle of vinho verde (green wine).

Walk over the cliffs to the next beach Praia Grande and see the dinosaur footprints imprinted in the cliff face. A wonderful day out.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11833