Get culturally inspired by the variety of fascinating cities in the vicinity of Joāo Jungle such as Lisbon, Ericeira, Sintra, Cascais, Mafra and Óbidos

Lisbon is the stunning capital city of Portugal, and is one of the most charismatic and vibrant cities of Europe. It is a city that effortlessly blends traditional heritage, with striking modernism and progressive thinking.

As a holiday destination, Lisbon offers a rich and varied history, a buzzing nightlife and is blessed with a glorious year-round climate.

Sintra is a picturesque Portuguese town that is set amidst the pine-covered hills of the Serra de Sintra. This hilly and slightly cooler climate enticed the nobility and elite of Portugal, who constructed exquisite palaces, extravagant mansions and decorative gardens.

The variety of fascinating historic buildings and beautiful scenery has established Sintra as a fantastic tourist destination, and has since become the most popular day trip from Lisbon.

Standing at the most westerly point on mainland Europe, Cabo da Roca provides an unrivalled panoramic view out over the immensity of the Atlantic Ocean. The imposing lighthouse, with its tower finished in white tiles and with a red walkway, stands out as one of the oldest in Portugal.

Strolling along cobbled streets of Óbidos, at each glance, one finds evidence of past civilizations. From the hidden corners and the high walled gardens of the old Medina ares, to the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque features, the town is an extensive work of Art that was created, destroyed and rebuilt throughout centuries.

This historic heritage of other times, combined with today’s vibrant cultural programme, makes Óbidos a prominent tourist destination, having been recently bestowed the title of UNESCO City of Literature.

Nazaré is one of the finest beach resorts in Portugal, and is an outstanding destination for a holiday. The town is situated on a wide bay of golden sands and stands in the shadow of the towering Sítio headland. Nazaré is possibly the most famous fishing town in Portugal and has an atmosphere of times gone by, contentment and traditions which continue to thrive, which make it a special place to visit. The latest attraction of Nazaré are the giant waves.

Ericeira is a charming Portuguese fishing town that is situated along a coastline of outstanding surfing beaches. This powerful and reliable surf has transformed peaceful Ericeira into a surfing mecca; boasting both a chilled daytime scene and a lively nightlife, along with excellent accommodation options and top-rated tourist facilities.

Today Ericeira is not only a perfect fusion of Portuguese heritage with an ultra-cool surfing ambience, where traditional fishermen’s cottages nestle amongst trendy lounge bars and cafes, but it is also a growing 'trendy place to be' through its highly skilled employment and remote working facilities. Ericeira is adored by the Portuguese, who flock to the town in the summer months, drawn by the beautiful beaches and delicious seafood (which the town is renowned for).

Cascais is a traditional and charming Portuguese fishing town, which is situated on the beautiful Lisbon coastline. Historically, Cascais was the summer retreat of the Portuguese nobility, and today the town is an elegant fusion of decorative 19th-century architecture and modern tourist facilities. Cascais is a joy to explore as a day trip from Lisbon, and within the cobbled streets of the historic centre are lavish mansions, an imposing fort and fascinating museums. For a holiday, Cascais is the Lisbon coastline’s premier holiday destination, combining an authentic Portuguese experience with glorious beaches and a buzzing holiday atmosphere.

Mafra is a pretty little Portuguese town that contains one of Europe’s largest and most extravagant palaces, the Palacio de Mafra. This vast complex includes a huge monastery, an ornate basilica and a library that contains over 36,000 ancient books and its own colony of bats!

The little fishing town of Peniche is not the prettiest spot on the Portuguese coast, but it's probably the most renowned surfing area in the country. Originally an island, Peniche became one with the mainland due to the silting up of the shallow channel that divided it from the rest of the country. Today that short and narrow spit of land contains an obscene amount of wave variety that can provide the goods in almost any conditions. Most famous is Supertubos, regarded by many as one of Europe's best beach breaks, but there are plenty of other barrels to pull into around Peniche.
Peniche is a year round destination with swell exposure on the north side of the town and shelter on the south. The town also sits at the dividing point between the cooler and wetter north and the dry, sunny south meaning that summers are long but tempered by cool sea breezes and the winters mild though occasionally stormy.