Cascais, Portugal

You're probably wondering what the giant red hand is in the above picture. I mean, that's why you clicked on this article, right?

Well, I'm afraid you're out of luck. I honestly have no idea what it's for. Yes, I likely could have easily figured it out asking around. But, I kind of enjoyed the intrigue that it provided.

Cascais. 

That's where I'm focused today. If you've never heard of the city, you're not alone. It's not all that well known. It's around 40 minutes from Lisbon by train.

Why did I decide to visit this city, you may ask?

Since I had several days in Lisbon, I wanted to go to one of the top beaches in the area. Thanks to my trusty friend Google, the beaches at Cascais showed up. 

It's simple to get here from Lisbon. I left from the Cais do Sodre Station and headed to Cascais Station. 

If you want to get around by bike while in Cascais, you're in luck. You can do so for free. There are several city-owned bikes parked right next to the station. You simply have to download a free app and follow the instructions from there. 

I went straight to the beach, however. The first stop was the Praia da Conceicao - mere meters from the train station. It was pretty full when I got there. Also of note, the beach is divided into sections. It would seem that the businesses along the beach own sections of it - so don't set up camp unless you want to buy something. 

There are more beaches as you continue to walk to the left of the train station, however, I was satisfied with my find at this particular beach. 

Also of note, there are plenty of places to eat just off of the beach. So, if you're planning on staying for an extended period of time, no need to pack something. Just hose off in the water spigots located at the entrances of the beach and grab a bite before coming back.

These are some fantastic beaches. Just make sure you go when it's hot outside. These beaches are located in the Atlantic Ocean, not the Mediterranean like most in Europe.