Portugal Regions
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Portugal’s Silver Coast includes the following districts:
Oeste : Pinhal Litoral
- The Silver Coast’s Climate
- About the Silver Coast
- Towns & Villages on the Silver Coast
- Golf on the Silver Coast
- Local Business Directory for the Silver Coast
The beach season is shorter than that in the south but summer temperatures remain on a par - with slightly cooler and damper winters.
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The Silver Coast is a treasure of beauty and gets its name from the effect of the sun on the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. If you are looking for a relaxing place, where the people are genuinely friendly, the wine is superb and the weather is almost perfect - then there are few choices better than the Silver Coast of Portugal. The area is readily accessible from both Lisbon and Porto airports - with flight times of around 2 hours from the UK.
Unlike its more famous and populous cousin in the south - the Algarve . . . here you can discover pretty villages and a real Portuguese way-of-life amongst stunning coastal scenery fringed with some of the best beaches in Europe. This area has some of the most spectacular scenery in Portugal. Just inland there are sea-water lagoons, small villages in the hills, castles, forests, the beautiful pine forest Pinhal do Rei, the Berlengas Islands where there is good sea fishing and the Berlenga Grande - a National Bird Reserve and a wide choice of interesting and historical locations.
Traditionally a Portuguese holiday area, the Silver Coast remains relatively untouched by the mass tourism market and, if you are prepared to drive and walk a little way, you can guarantee a beach to yourself even in the height of the season. More robust than the Algarve coast and open to the Atlantic Ocean - the seas here are more vigorous, and offer some unrivalled surfing conditions.
- Fantastic Beaches
- Swimming
- Water sports
- Golf
- Tennis
- Swimming with Dolphins
- Natural History
- Architectural and Cultural History
- Food and Wine
- . . . or just relaxing
Golf Mar - this leisure area is approximately 100 m from the beach and consists of a hotel (by the same name), Spa Vimeiro, Vimeiro thermal centre, swimming pools, riding centre and the Vimeiro Golf Course.
Towns and Villages on the Silver Coast
- Alcobaça
- Batalha
- Bombarral
- Bom Sucesso
- Cadaval
- Caldas da Rainha
- Foz do Arelho
- Leiria
- Lourinhã
- Nazaré
- Óbidos
- Peniche
- Perola da Lagoa
- Pombal
- Porto de Mós
- Salir do Porto
- Santa Cruz
- São Martinho do Porto
- Torres Vedras
Reputed to be one of Portugal's greatest architectural masterpieces, the 12th century Cistercian monastery, Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Alcobaça is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is well worth a visit. Equally, the Museu de Vinho (wine museum) warrants and hour or so .... and gives you the chance to buy some of the local produce!
The town itself is pleasantly low-key and has shops bursting with local blue and white pottery.
Facilities include:
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Shops
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Restaurants
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Post Office
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Police Station
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Railway Station
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Market
Approximate Driving Time from Portuguese Airports:
- Lisbon – 1 hour 10 minutes
- Porto – 2 hours 10 minutes
- Faro – 3 hours 30 minutes
Approaching Batalha from Leiria, the first sight of the town is the Abbey - a masterpiece of Portuguese Gothic architecture. This Dominican abbey (Santa Maria da Vitória at Batalha (which means "Battle")) was built to give the Virgin thanks for the victory over the Spanish at the battle of Aljubarrota, in 1385.
Facilities include:
- Shops
- Restaurants
- Cafés
- Banks
- Post Office
Approximate Driving Times from Portuguese Airports:
- Lisbon - 1 hour 25 minutes
- Porto - 2 hours
- Faro - 3 hours 35 minutes
Set in agricultural land famous for its wines and fruits (particularly pears), in the 14th century Bombarral was an estate belonging to the Cistercian monks of the Alcobaça Monastery.
Regional handicrafts include: "loiça artística" (decorated crockery); and works in wicker; wood and wire.
The town is know for its enchanting Railway station decorated in rich tiles portraying the region´s tradition of vineyards and wine-making.
Bombarral has a large Wine Festival, which attracts thousands of visitors.
Facilities include:
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Shops
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Restaurants
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Cafés/Bars
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Railway Station
Approximate Driving Times from Portuguese Airports:
- Lisbon - 45 minutes
- Porto - 2 hours 30 minutes
- Faro - 3 hours
Bom Sucesso - Design Resort, Leisure, Golf & Spa aims to merge luxury-living with ecology, ergonomics and environment. Some of the world’s leading architects have been commissioned to deliver a unique vision; and design distinctive, contemporary architecture that blends into the natural contours of the beautiful valley setting close to the beautiful and historic town of Óbidos, and less than an hour from Lisbon.
Set in 1,576,210 m² (just under 390 acres) this exclusive resort will comprise 601 houses. It is a low-density development – the total combined area covered by all of the properties is less than 6.5% of the land. Each property has been individually designed to specifically maximise the benefits of each individual plot. 90% of the properties are single storey and the architects have worked hard to ensure that each property:
- is not overlooked by its neighbours
- has as much greenery and light as possible
- is spacious and private
- has a grass roof to combine aesthetics with practicality – keeping the property cool in summer and warm in winter
- offers the benefits of modern design
- takes advantage of the magnificent landscape
Bom Sucesso offers the widest range of leisure facilities including:
- 18 Hole Championship Golf Course
- Driving Range
- Luxury Shopping Mall
- Luxury Hotel
- Spa
- Tennis
- Swimming Pools
- Private Beach
- Water Sports
- Rowing
- Windsurfing
- Diving
- Fishing on a Sports Fishing Lake
- Mountain Biking
- Horse Riding at the Equestrian Centre
- Fitness trail
- Football
- Walking Tours
- Cycling Tracks
- Children’s Park
- Pet Hotel & Pet Care (Vets)
- Heliport
- Botanical Gardens
- Preferential Green Fees at a number of national golf courses
- 24-hour security
- Supermarket
- Tobacconists/Newspaper/Magazine Kiosk
- Laundry
- Domestic cleaning
- Shoe cleaning
- Bakery/Patisserie/Pizza Parlour
- Bicycle Hire
- Swimming Pool, garden and home maintenance service
- Sports shop
- Baby Sitting
- Hairdresser/Beauty Salon
- Shuttle service
- ATM (cash dispenser)
- Letting service
- Medical Assistance
This area is picturesque - with rural houses scattered amongst vineyards and fruit trees, against the backdrop of the Serra de Montejunto. It is also home to the ruins of a 12th century monastery where the Dominican monks built deep tanks, linked by narrow passages, to store natural ice to supply Lisbon.
The local cuisine includes: "pão-de-ló" (sponge-cake) of Painho; roast lamb; and "cozido à portuguesa" (various meats, sausages and vegetables served a broth).
Facilities include:
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Shops
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Restaurants
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Cafés
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Bars
Approximate Driving Times from Portuguese Airports:
- Lisbon - 50 minutes
- Porto - 2 hours 35 minutes
- Faro - 3 hours 10 minutes
Literally translates as the "Queen's Spa", Caldas da Rainha, established in 1485, is one of the oldest spa towns in Europe. The old town contains many historic and architecturally fine buildings, a large and beautiful park and a daily fruit and vegetable market selling fresh produce from the surrounding area. Caldas da Rainha has a great variety of shops and specialises in ceramic ware. There are a number of beaches in the area - the closest about 20 minutes away.
Facilities include:
- Daily fruit and vegetable market
- Good range of shops
- Restaurants
- Cafés
- Bars
- Hospital
- Schools & Colleges
- Museums
- Galleries
- Workshops - particularly ceramics
- Railway station
Approximate Driving Time from Portuguese Airports:
- Lisbon – 55 minutes
- Porto – 2 hours 20 minutes
- Faro – 3 hours 15 minutes
Situated approximately 8 kms from Caldas da Rainha, Foz de Arelho is a picturesque seaside town set in a great location overlooking the Óbidos Lagoon and the Atlantic coast. It has a choice of beaches: the sheltered and child-safe beaches surrounding the Lagoon and surf beaches on the Atlantic.
Facilities include:
- Shops
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Cafés
- Beaches
Approximate Driving Time from Portuguese Airports:
- Lisbon – 1 hour 5 minutes
- Porto – 2 hours 30 minutes
- Faro – 3 hours 25 minutes
This is a charming town with houses straddling archways and spectacular fountains all nestling below the magnificent hilltop castle. Easily accessed from the main Lisbon/Porto A1 motorway and also the A8 motorway which runs from Lisbon up the Silver Coast. The nearest beaches are about 20 minutes drive.
Facilities include:
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Cafés
- Cinema
- Shops
- Post Office
- Banks
- Schools
- Railway station
Approximate Driving Time from Portuguese Airports
- Lisbon – 1 hour 20 minutes
- Porto – 2 hours
- Faro – 3 hours 35 minutes
- fishing
- diving
- marine photography
- surfing
- jet ski
- riding
- tennis
- hunting
- mini-golf
- karting
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Cafés
- Local market - the first Monday of every month
- Handcraft, antiques and collections market - second Saturday of every month
- Banks
- Shops
- Lisbon - 45 minutes
- Porto - 2 hours 45 minutes
- Faro - 3 hours 10 minutes
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Cafés
- Shopping
- Beaches
- Water park
Approximate Driving Time from Portuguese Airports
- Lisbon – 1 hour 15 minutes
- Porto – 2 hours 15 minutes
- Faro – 3 hours 35 minutes
One of Portugal's "must-see" World Heritage sites, this fortified hilltop village is entirely enclosed by high medieval walls and overlooks a 16th century aqueduct. Until the 15th century, it overlooked the sea when the bay silted up leaving the Óbidos Lagoon and land-locking the town. Cobbled lanes lead up to the Castle (which is now used as a Pousada) and it is possible to walk all along the top of the medieval walls.
Facilities include:
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Shops
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Restaurants
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Bars
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Museums
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Railway Station
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The nearest Golf Course is approximately 20 kms
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The Beaches surrounding the Óbidos Lagoon are 12 kms
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The nearest Hospital is at Caldas da Rainha (6 kms)
- Lisbon – 50 minutes (80 kms)
- Porto – 2 hours 20 minutes
- Faro – 3 hours 10 minutes
One of the Silver Coast's more well-known seaside resorts, Peniche has a reputation for surf and sand. Formerly an island, it was connected to the mainland in the late 16th century when a narrow isthmus was created by silt. Inside the old walled town is a pedestrian centre where the monthly market is held on the last Thursday. Famous for its bobbin lace, you can see it being made at the two lace-making schools.
Facilities include:
- Restaurants (particularly seafood)
- Bars
- Cafés
- Beaches
- Market (last Thursday of each month)
- Surf and Scuba Diving
- Campsite
- Bus services
- Water park
- Marina
- Golf
Approximate Driving Time from Portuguese Airports:
- Lisbon – 1 hour 10 minutes
- Porto – 2 hours 40 minutes
- Faro – 3 hours 30 minutes
PEROLA DA LAGOA
This new golf resort is set on the edge of the Óbidos Lagoon and surrounded by pine woods. It is close to the golf resorts of Praia D’el Rey and the new golf resort of Bom Successo. The first phase of construction, which is currently on the market, consists of 90 plots and properties and, when finished, the resort will have the following facilities:
- 9-hole Golf Course
- Driving Range
- Club House with a Restaurant on the First Floor with views across the Obidos Lagoon
- 2 Tennis Courts
- Swimming Pool – this is a tropical pool combining children and adult pools
The busy town of
Facilities include:
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Cafés
- Shops
- Banks
- Post Office
- Schools
- Cinema
- Water park
- Railway Station
Approximate Driving Time from Portuguese Airports
- Lisbon - 1 hour 35 minutes
- Porto - 1 hour 45 minutes
- Faro – 3 hours 45 minutes
The town is dominated by a hilltop castle that has two turrets topped with green tiled cone-shaped roofs and a beautiful sculpted loggia.
In this area there is approximately 96,000 acres Natural Park that has a limestone landscape with undergrowth, olive groves and pastures. There are a large number of underground caverns with interesting rock formations and impressive stalactites and stalagmites.
The best known are the Grutas de Mira d'Aire, about 17 kilometres (10 miles) from Porto de Mós, with underground lakes and a labyrinth of tunnels and passages at a depth of approximately 110 metres (360 ft); and the caves of Saint Anthony, at the Serra de Minde mountain. You can take a tour which includes a music, light and water show.
Another place worth visiting is the Jurassic Belvedere, with a height of about 500 metres (1,640 ft) and formed by 15 limestone blocks and rock formations at the Aire and Candeeiros mountains. It is situated near the parish of Alqueidão da Serra, it gives panoramic views to the distant castles of Porto de Mós and Leiria, the Batalha Monastery and the sea.
Facilities include:
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Restaurants
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Cafés
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Shops
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Banks
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Post Office
Approximate Driving Times from Portuguese Airports:
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Lisbon - 1 hour 25 minutes
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Porto - 2 hours 15 minutes
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Faro - 3 hours, 40 minutes
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The village of Salir do Porto is typical of a truly Portuguese Village. From the beach, it is a pleasant stroll along the boardwalk into nearby São Martinho do Porto which has more extensive facilities.
Facilities include:
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Small selection of shops
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Multibanco (cash machine)
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Doctors Surgery
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Meeting Room
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At the end of 2006 an outdoor Swimming Pool will have been built
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Bar Cafés
Approximate Driving Times from Portuguese Airports:
- Lisbon - 1 hour 5 minutes
- Porto - 2 hours 20 minutes
- Faro - 3 hours
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- Restaurants
- Bars
- Cafés
- Shops
Approximate Driving Time from Portuguese Airports:
- Lisbon - 55 minutes
- Porto - 3 hours
- Faro - 3 hours 15 minutes
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A lovely, small seaside town with an almost totally enclosed bay - making the waters calm and warm - surrounded by sandy beaches.
Facilities include:
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Good selection of local shops
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Daily market selling fresh produce
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Variety of Restaurants
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Cafés
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Bars
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Banks
- Beach
- Railway Station
- Medical centre
- Vet
- Hospital - 10 kms at Caldas da Rainha
- Nearest Golf Course 15 kms
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Lisbon – 1 hour 5 minutes (85 kms)
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Porto – 2 hours 15 minutes
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Faro – 3 hours
This town is best known for its light, refreshing wines and the Lines of Torres Vedras, a network of fortified defences built by the Duke of Wellington in 1809 to repel Napoleon's troops during the Peninsula War.
- the restored fort of São Vicente
- Igerja da Graça
- The Lines of Torres Vedras
- Passo da Corredoura
- Chafariz dos Canos
- Windmills
- Castro do Zambujal (Bronze Age site)
- Municipal Museum Leonel Trindade
- Termas (Spa) dos Cucos
- Manuelin Portal (Church of St Peter)
- Convento da Graça
- The spa waters at nearby Vimeiro
Facilities include:
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Cafés
- Shops
- Supermarkets
- Hypermarket
- Chemists
- Banks
- Post Office
- Railway Station
- Schools
- Playground
- Hospital
- Golf
Approximate Driving Time from Portuguese Airports:
- Lisbon - 35 minutes
- Porto - 2 hours 45 minutes
- Faro - 2 hours 55 minutes
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Silver Coast Golf Courses
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Location
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Peniche
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Turcifal
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Torres Vedras
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Praia D'El Rey
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