• Calm water on the town beaches: Praia do Ouro and Praia da Califórnia face south into the bay, with gently sloping sand, Blue Flag status and lifeguards
• A steep climb to the castle: the footpaths up need decent legs, so with small kids drive up; inside there are two small exhibitions and a café terrace
• Free parking on Rua Navegador Rodrigues Soromenho, near Praia da Califórnia; the lots on Avenida 25 de Abril and Largo do Calvário are paid

Sesimbra is a working fishing town on a south-facing bay of the Setúbal peninsula. Its two town beaches, Praia do Ouro and Praia da Califórnia, usually have calm water and gently sloping sand, and Praia do Ouro adds a playground and a sports field.

Above town, the medieval castle has walls to walk along and wide sea views. The Fortress of Santiago on the seafront houses a maritime museum.