Description Making Friends: Cascais

Positioned on Portugal's western coast and just 32km from lively Lisbon, this two-storey villa is a charming base for a family or group of friends. The highlight for us is the outside space, where you'll find a private pool (which can be heated upon request), an alfresco dining set-up, and a shaded lounge area – perfect for golden hour sangrias. The villa's interiors provide an equally sociable setting, with an open-plan living and dining room and a secondary living area-cum-games room. This home is close to beaches celebrated for their golden sands and rock formations, or you could discover the medieval Nossa Senhora da Luz Fort and the Citadel Palace in the old town nearby.

Home truths:
*Due to this home's location, we recommend hiring a car to get the most out of your stay. There's private parking for two vehicles.
*There's a basement bedroom with an en-suite – perfect for guests seeking extra privacy. The master suite offers a super king bed which can be reconfigured into singles.
*If you're travelling with little ones, your host can provide one cot and one high chair for free. You'll need to request them in advance. We also think the third and fourth bedrooms may be best suited to children.
*You won't find a welcome hamper or basic essentials here, so we'd recommend picking up some bits and bobs to get you started. The nearest supermarket is 700m walk away.