Colares is situated on the southwest side of Sintra on the Atlantic coast.
The village of Colares is absolutely delightful and has long been a very popular summer resort. Has all the necessary conveniences and public transports to beaches, Sintra and Cascais.
Colares is a Portuguese wine region (DOC), the Ramisco vines are some of the oldest in Portugal, known for its deep colored, full bodied red wines that are high in astringent tannins and can be tasted at the Adega Regional in a very beautiful building in the village.
The houses and imposing farms all around Colares affirm this wonderful relation with wine and its production.
Colares has mild winters, an ideal summer temperature which never gets too hot, the autumn is ideal too, is like a second spring.
Praia das Maças “Apples Beach”
The sandy area surrounded by shops, restaurants and bars and handicraft shops, in this place that has become over the years the meeting point of everybody from Sintra, and later from all the Lisboa area, specially on Sundays, either on summer or winter time.
Next to this beach there is a swimming pool with sea water, a children’s park and space for picnics.
The beach has also good facilities for sport fishing, on both sides of the sandy area. One of the main attractions is the tramcar with a lovely journey that starts in Sintra (in Estefânia, next to the Sintra’s modern art museum), has a stop in Colares and ends in Maçãs Beach.
Many other beautiful beaches lay only a short drive away: Praia Grande is a very popular beach with young surfers who come to ride its quality waves, and both national and international competitions are held. Azenhas do Mar, Praia do Magoito and Adraga each offering its own beauty and charm with sandy coves.
Cabo da Roca is the most westerly point in Europe and has magnificent views, is nearby. The coast to the north of Cabo da Roca has dramatic cliffs interspersed with rocky beaches and the natural environment is still absolutely unspoiled.
The town of Sintra is of rare historical and architectural importance. The hills are a monument in their own right, we sense the magic of Sintra Mountain, as the local people have for thousands of years; they used to call it the Mountain of the Moon.
Sintra village is known for its quaint little buildings. Up on the hills, the National Palace, the Moorish Castle, Pena Palace, Monserrate and Regaleira are all fascinating.
A wide range of sports can be enjoyed here all year round. Sports options range from extreme sports such as parachuting, paragliding, rock climbing and mountain cycling to more traditional sports such as horse riding, tennis and golf.
The whole coast has excellent facilities for water sports like surfing, windsurfing, body board, kite surf, water skiing and all types of sailing. The Cascais Marina is the main facility for sailors and there are many other sailing clubs in the area. Other activities could include ballooning, jeep safaris and horse riding tracks through the woods.
Fairs and markets are many throughout the region.
Cascais: Every Wednesday and Saturday morning in the town centre.
Sintra: 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month at S. Pedro.
