View of the Forte Sao Juliao da Barra (Saint Julian Fort) at the eastern end of Carcavelos beach. Presumably the fort is set here to defend the entrance to the Tejo river and Lisbon a few Km upstream.

Carcavelos is one of the most popular beaches around being the closest large, sandy beach to Lisbon. If you look the opposite direction from here there is a large stretch of golden sand.

The beach here is also one of the best surf spots in Portugal. Consistent throughout the winter, this beachbreak is known for its powerful, barelling waves.

View of the Praia da Duquesa in Cascais. The straw parasols are put out in the summer months when it is one of the most popular beaches around. The beach gets its name from Palace of the Dukes of Palmela which overlooks the it.

Just around the corner from the genteel sheltered beaches of Cascais is the Atlantic coast and Guincho beach. This beautiful rugged beach is a different world to the tourist cafe lined promenades of the Estoril and Cascais beaches. Beyond those cliffs in the distance is Cabo da Roca, the most westerly point in mainland Europe. As you can imagine, it can get pretty wild here and it is often breezy - which makes it a popular spot for kitesurfers and windsurfers.

This is the Monument to the Heroes of the Peninsular War in Porto. It is set in the middle of a huge and busy round-a-bout in the district of Boavista.

The Peninsular War was fought between 1808 and 1814 with the British and Portuguese on one side and the French on the other. Spain was also involved with fighters on both sides. The war ended in victory for the Portuguese and British, which is what this monument celebrates. On top of the 20 metre column is a lion, representing the Portuguese and British, dominating an eagle, representing the forces of Napoleon.

Looking along the sheer cliffs that form this part of the Vicentine Coast near Sagres.

The South East Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park is around 100km of protected coast stretching from Burgau, in the Algarve up to Porto Covo in the Alentejo.

Memorial commemorationg "Grândola, Vila morena", a folk ballad about the town. The significance of the song is it became the anthem of the 25th of April "Carnation Revolution" which saw dictator Antonio Salazar overthrown. During his regime the song was banned as it celebrated the camaraderie and socialist conscience of the hard working poor of the agricultural south. The memorial celebrates Zéca Afonso's words and the haunting music it was set to.

The medieval Castle of Almourol is located on an islet in the Tagus River, which flows from Spain to the coast at Lisbon. The site predates the present castle with structures attributed to the Romans, Visigoths and Moors, amongst others, all having been built here.

The current castle was part of a defensive line against the Moors and controlled by the Knights Templar along with the castle at nearby Tomar.

A significant amount of work and remodeling was carried out in the 1940s and 1950s after it had fallen into disrepair

Small fishing boats at anchor in the Algarve town of Lagos. As with most Algarve towns there is a strong fishing heritage here in Lagos and it continues to this day. Lagos as also been the start of many maritime adventures with the likes of Henry the Navigator and Vasco da Gama launching expeditions from here.

Despite becoming a popular holiday resort Lagos still manages to retain much of its charm. with its bustling harbour and old town.

The historically, and once strategically important town of Estremoz is set in on the scorching plains of the Northern Alentejo around 200km due east of Lisbon. Over the centuries Estremoz was central to the defence against Portugal's bigger neighbour, Spain.

The beach of Praia da Marinha is considered one of the most iconic on the Algarve coast. It is easy to see why with the distinctive rock formations, crystal clear water and golden sands. Access isn't difficult but its a little off the beaten track so is often relatively quiet.