Located just an hour north of Lisbon, the Silver Coast is home to some of Portugal’s most popular beaches and authentic villages. It is also one of Portugal's best places to buy a home or invest in real estate!
Offering a mix of breathtakingly beautiful beaches, vast stretches of green countryside, traditional Portuguese villages and several world-famous historical sites, the Silver Coast of Portugal stretches along an incredible coastline over 80 km long.
From north to south, this region — also known as "The Real Portugal" — boasts several famous beaches and tourist hotspots, but also lesser-known gems and quaint little villages that don’t appear on tourist guides, making it ideal for all tastes and lifestyles.
In the past, the calm waters of São Martinho do Porto Bay were home to shipbuilders who crafted Portugal's famous caravels, used during the Age of Discoveries. Today, it is a playground for beach lovers of all ages who enjoy the laid-back lifestyle and natural beauty of the bay.
Salir do Porto
On the southern shore of São Martinho do Porto Bay, the beachfront village of Salir do Porto offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the natural landscape and community life.
Home to Portugal's highest sand dunes, here you will also find a fabulous wooden walkway around the bay, which is perfect for walking your pet, exercising or simply enjoying the view!
Foz do Arelho
Foz do Arelho is a paradise for surf and other water sports, a wonder of nature where the Atlantic meets Óbidos Lagoon. Here, seafront cafes and restaurants are a meeting point for families and friends who enjoy al fresco dining or watching the sunset over the ocean!
The lagoon side of Foz do Arelho Beach isideal for paddleboarding, kayaking, kitesurfing and swimming, with calm waters where children can play safely by the shore. It's also a very popular spot for birdwatching, cycling and hiking surrounded by nature.
This traditional Portuguese village by the sea also offers all the services needed for your daily life, as well as traditional Portuguese restaurants serving the freshest local seafood and fish!
Nazaré
The Silver Coast is also home to several world-famous beaches, ancient fishing villages and the world’s biggest waves ever surfed. At Praia do Norte, Nazaré's famous North Canyon is responsible for generating waves that can reach over 30 metres high!
The best time of the year to see Nazaré’s giant waves is between October and March when surfers from all over the world gather on the slopes next to the lighthouse to see the world’s most famous big wave surfers.
However, think again if you believe there is nothing to see here during the off-season!
Besides Nazaré Beach, one of the Silver Coast's most popular, Nazaré also boasts a vast offer of restaurants, cultural events and local traditions that make this ancient fishing village truly unique.
Salgado
Salgado is another famous beach, offering a huge stretch of golden sand that is favoured among beachgoers who prefer lesser crowded spots.
This is also a popular spot for paragliding and hang gliding. On clear days, the sky is speckled with colour by those who dare to enjoy the wild beauty of Salgado Beach from high above!
For hiking surrounded by nature and breathtaking scenery, the slopes south towards Gralha Beach are among the local's favourite spots!
Alcobaça
A few kilometres inland, there are several traditional villages where you can enjoy an authentic Portuguese lifestyle. Villages such as Alfeizerao and others around the ancient lagoon of Pederneira, a fertile countryside that centuries ago was administered by the Cistercian Monks of the Monastery of Alcobaça (a World Heritage Site!).
Today, these lands are famous for their delicious apples and pears, which benefit from the clean fresh air, abundant sunshine and proximity to the Atlantic.
Caldas da Rainha
Caldas da Rainha is anotherpopular spot for foreigners in Portugal.
Local history dates back to the days of Queen D. Leonor, founder ofEurope's oldest thermal hospitalwhich still exists next to the town's beautiful D. Carlos I Park —an oasis of lush gardens, sculptures and even a lake for lazy boat rides!
This Silver Coast village is also famous for itslaid-back lifestyle andauthentic Portuguese pleasures, such as visiting the “Praça da Fruta” —Portugal’s biggest open-air farmers’ market.
VALE FURADO
At Vale Furado Beach, the colours of the coastline change dramatically, with high cliffs in shades of yellows and reds, sculpted by the slow action of seawater, rain and winds.
It’s a stunning cove beach to relax and contemplate nature, and the sunset over the Atlantic is simply breathtaking!
São Pedro de Moel
São Pedro de Moel Beach is especially known for its iconic Penedo da Saudade lighthouse. In this land of romantic legends and poets, embraced by the Leiria Pine Forest — also known as the "Mata Real" or "Pinhal do Rei",meaning the king's royal forest — beautiful beach houses guide you along the village, famous for its traditional architecture and breathtaking views of the sea.
Several other beaches nearby offer plenty of privacy and wooden walkways to stretch your legs, cycle along a sea-facing cycling path or enjoy the views over the endless horizon!
Óbidos
Óbidos is one of Portugal's most charming medieval villages!
With its white-washed homes and bougainvillaea-lined cobbled streets, the castle walls are an example of the many historical gems you will find on Portugal's Silver Coast.
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This 4th edition also has loads of useful information aboutbuying property in Portugal, testimonials from ourSimple Life Home Buyers, insider tips fromproperty specialistsand a Special Dossier dedicated to Portugal’sSilver Coast.