Cap your day trip to Setubal from Lisbon by spending the night in a 16th century Pousada (a former fortresses, castle or palace). Enjoy the panoramic view overlooking the city, the estuary of the River Sado and Troia Peninsula.

Many visitors to Portugal take a day trip from Lisbon to Setubal. If you make that trip, I'd recommend spending the night at the Pousada de Sao Filipe, once a great castle during the days of Spanish control. The Pousada overlooks the city and isn't far from the beaches of the Troia Peninsula.

The Pousadas de Portugal are a chain of more than 40 exclusive hotels, which originated in the 1940s and are located throughout the country. There are two types:

• historical pousadas, which are located in national monuments, convents, castles, or fortresses
• regional pousadas, which are found in areas of spectacular natural or historic beauty.

If you've ever wondered what it would be like to live in such grandeur, here's your chance.

For a list of pousadas in Portugal, visit Pinto Basto Tours.

For a peek at Castelo de Sao Felipe, visit Pousadas de Portugal.

(Article originally published by www.expatspouse.com)