No surprise to anyone - we love the beach! Cascais is a coastal beach town roughly 30 minutes west of Lisbon. We love the laid-back vibe and the beautiful cobblestone roads in Old Town. Praia do Guincho is a must-see beach just a short 10 minute drive west of Cascais. You'll see beautiful scenery and surfers attempting to catch waves!

Fun fact: we wrote our vows together at Praia do Guincho, so it's a special place for us.

Sintra (where our venue is!) is a charming town up in the hills filled with whimsical palaces and castles. If you get the chance, we highly recommend seeing Quinta da Regaleira, Pena Palace or the Moorish Castle. Go early and buy tickets ahead of time to avoid very long lines. Sintra is one of the most popular day trips! It's only 15 minutes from Cascais by car.

Think San Francisco hills with a New Orleans feel. It has something for everyone and no shortage of sights to see! Be prepared for lots of walking and steep hills. It's about a 30 minute drive from Cascais.

Obidos is one of the most quaint and picturesque towns in Portugal. Game of Thrones enthusiasts would love it here! It's a small medieval city preserved within castle walls. You can even climb the edge of the castle walls (for those unafraid of heights). Be sure to try the famous cherry liqueur if you visit!

If you've seen the documentary, you know Nazare is now one of Portugal's most famous sites – and for good reason. While there might not be 100-foot waves in August, it's still an incredible site! More steep hills here, but you can rent a tuk-tuk up the hill to avoid walking. Nazare is about a 2 hour drive north of Cascais.

If you're in Portugal a little longer and looking for more beach time, we HIGHLY recommend going south to the Algarve region – specifically Lagos and Carvoeiro. With its pristine beaches and dramatic golden cliffs, it’s a region of stunning natural beauty. We recommend making Lagos your home base and visiting the various beaches that Lagos has to offer. Honorable mentions include: Praia do Camilo, Praia Dona Ana and Ponta da Piedade.