The seaside town of Cascais (kush-kaish) is a 45-minute train ride west of Lisbon's Cais do Sodré station (the green line). Once a fishing village, Cascais became a popular respite for the rich and royal in the 1900s. Today, Europeans of all kinds flock to this beachy city for some low-cost fun in the sun. And since it's peppered with luxurious resorts and hotels, a weekend here may be an ideal end to your Lisbon vacation.

But don't be put off by its diminutive size – there is plenty to do here. Take a stroll around the colorful, cobblestone-lined old town, visit one of the area's many forts that helped prevent pirate attacks, or lay back on one of the area's many beaches.

If you're looking for something small, adorable and quintessentially Mediterranean, look to Praia da Rainha, or the Queen's Beach. Not only is this beach a 5-minute walk from the train station, but so are two other beaches: Praia da Conceição and Praia da Duquesa. If you're looking for something a little off the beaten path, not to mention a much wider shoreline and prime surf spot, head to Praia do Guincho, about 5 miles northeast of the city center. There's also the popular Boca do Inferno cliff lookout point nearer Cascais' city center. To learn more, visit the Cascais page on the Visit Portugal site.