Huddled into pine forests, this charming place is hot on the heels of its stylish neighbours. You’ll find streets studded with upmarket boutiques, interior design shops and top-notch fish restaurants - all ready to help you turn lazy days into equally lazy evenings. And when you’re looking for souvenirs, Almancil’s mini pottery industry comes into its own. Just potter around the ceramics shops to pick up some of the coveted pastel-coloured pieces. Shops aside, history has left Almancil with one architectural must-see. On the outskirts, the town’s 18th century church provides a window into the religious devotion of old Portugal. Tour the hushed interior to marvel at the magical blue-and-white azulejo tiles covering every inch of its walls. When you’re ready to cast your net wider, exclusive Vale de Lobo and Quinto Do Lago are just a few kilometres away on the coast. Stylish and cosmopolitan, both offer a head-spinning choice of championship golf courses, sandy beaches, watersports and luxury restaurants. All you need do is pick and choose, making sure you leave time to sit at waterside café for some fascinating people watching. Come sundown, stick around to wine and dine in style along the glittering waterfront of these chi-chi resorts. Or retrace your steps back to Almancil for a mellower night. Watch darkness envelop the hills with a carafe of crisp vinho verde providing the perfect accompaniment.

Airport transfer: 25 minutes