Holidaymakers looking for a cultural getaway without the crowds may be blown away by this small Portugease fishing town with its pristine waters and chilled out vibe.

While we all love a holiday, many of us will have different reasons for travelling. For some, the allure of adventure and trying something new is a priority, while others might prefer a more relaxed setting.

For anyone struggling to decide between the two, one town could be the perfect destination. Located just 20 miles – or a 40 minute drive – from Portugal’s capital city, Cascais is known as Lisbon’s “summer playground”.

The former fishing village boasts not just beautiful beaches and stunning waters, but gorgeous architecture as well as restaurants, bars and galleries.

Situated on the south coast of Portugal it benefits from warm temperatures, however, being by the coast helps prevent it getting stiflingly hot.

Temperatures reach highs of 24C in June and 25C in July. Travel blog iEscape listed Cascais as one of Europe’s finest beach towns for “easy coastal breaks”.

The site explains: “Historically, Cascais was a retreat of Portuguese nobility, so the architecture is grand.

“Elegant buildings and lavish villas rise along the beachfront, and there’s a marina with flashy craft.

“At the town’s heart is the old fishing village (car-free in summer), now with boutiques, bars, and restaurants serving fresh-off-the-boat seafood.

“Elsewhere are galleries, parks and pretty churches.” The two main beaches of Cascais are Praia da Conceição and Praia da Duquesa however, there are others to choose from.

They are also popular spots for watersports such as surfing, paddleboarding, sailing and waterskiing.

But Cascais-portugal.com states that the town is “so much more than just a beach holiday destination”.

”Situated on a coastline of beautiful sandy beaches, it has been responsibly developed into a vibrant resort town, while retaining its traditional and charming Portuguese character,” it says.

“Cascais boasts so many interesting sights and attractions that it is regarded as one of the best day trips from Lisbon.

“The beaches of Cascais are glorious. Surrounding the town are the beautiful beaches of the Portuguese Riviera, while to the north lies the wild and dramatic scenery of the Serra de Sintra coastline, with its vast surfing beaches and towering cliffs.”

If you wish to venture into bustling Lisbon for the day, Cascais is just over an hour away via public transport.

It is also close to Sintra which is known for its “whimsical palaces and cooling hills”.

“There is so much to love about Cascais, either as a holiday base or for a day trip,” Cascais-portugal.com adds.