Cities

São Martinho do Porto, located on the other side of the bay, has a sandy beach on a bay almost entirely enclosed from the sea. It is popular with families with children. Numerous shops, restaurants and pubs can be found in the centre. There is a supermarket on the outskirts of town. The typical beach bars in many colours offer shade to the beachgoer.

Nazaré (15 km) is an authentic fishing village about 15 km north of Salir, on a beautiful beach and surrounded by high rocks. Fishermen and fisherwomen in traditional attire can still be seen here repairing nets and drying fish on beach racks. The brightly coloured boats with their high prow, once pulled out of the sea by oxen, are still in use today. High above the city lies Sitio. You can reach it by cable car, car or tourist train departing from Nazaré. Above you have a fantastic view of the bay of Nazaré. Here you can also observe the highest waves in the world. The world record for surfing has been set here.

Óbidos (20 km) is without doubt one of Portugal’s most beautiful medieval walled settlements. The white houses lie within the 14th century walls. The town is car-free and you can stroll quietly through the picturesque streets. The medieval town has been declared a national monument.

Caldas da Rainha (12 km) owes its name to the thermal spring that was much appreciated by queen (rainha) D. Leonor, wife of D. João II, king of Portugal in the 15th century. The town continued to grow and reached its peak at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, when it was fashionable to stay in a spa: it was one of the places where the nobility and aristocrats were treated. Today there is little left of it, except the romantic nineteenth century park, but it has grown into a solid provincial town where you can find all amenities, including 7 supermarkets.

Lisbon (95 km), the capital of Portugal, is located on the north bank of the Tagus estuary. Lisbon has been an important trading centre and port since the glory days of exploration. So you can perfectly combine your stay on the Silver Coast with a day trip to Lisbon, by car or by express bus from Caldas da Rainha or São Martinho do Porto.

Other towns worth seeing are the surfer seaside resort of Peniche (44 km) with an excursion to the Berlenga islands (from Peniche), the historic university town of Coimbra (120 km), the episcopal city of Leiria (42 km) and the Templar city of Tomar (45 km).