National parks near Lisbon

Lisbon has three protected landscapes within forty minutes. Sintra-Cascais, with the Pena palace, the Moorish castle and Cabo da Roca, is the most toured in Portugal; go early or late to avoid the queues. Arrabida, across the river, has limestone cliffs over clear coves. The Tagus estuary reserve, upstream of the city, draws flamingos and avocets in autumn and winter. Serra da Estrela is three hours north-east.