Our experience and observations following six days visiting the Silver Coast and hinterland (Central Western) of Portugal.
Link to video image montage of Portugal’s Silver Coast
To view the video select:- https://youtu.be/elQXurQOHo8
The Silver Coast, Portugal 2023
In considering a six day trip to Portugal’s Silver Coast, we decided to do a self directed tour, visiting the highlights that the region from Peniche to Nazaré has to offer. This is a region of immense diversity, famous for surfing along the Atlantic coastline, to visiting medieval villages and towns to golfing on world class golf courses. Also possible to arrange a visit to one of the many vineyards for a wine tasting session. We visited the renowned Quinta Do Sanguinhal vineyard, had a wonderful tasting experience and a tour of the gardens and vineyard.
During our time there, we based ourselves in the Marriott Hotel in Praia D'el Rey as a central location from which to take daily excursions by car. This is a beautiful hotel, ideally located on the cliff front with access to a lovely sandy beach, excellent service and a challenging links course for the avid golfer.
The most common day trips from Lisbon or Porto, include Sintra, Cascais, Costa da Caparica and Obidos, From our experience, we feel a few days visiting Peniche and its environs should be added to this list.
Our recommendation of the order of importance by which you should visit the sights:-
Óbidos
Óbidos is situated about 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of Lisbon in Central Portugal. The region of Óbidos, historically extended from the Atlantic to the interior via rivers and lakes. Located about an hour’s drive from Lisbon, it makes for a great day trip. Small but mighty, Óbidos packs a wonderful array of attractions into a very small footprint.
The historic town of Óbidos is not a World Heritage Site, the town is a UNESCO City of Literature.
Once you’re in region, the area is quite spread out, however, it is well serviced with a good rural road infrastructure.
A settlement, constructed by early Celt tribes and settled overtime by the Romans and the Moors, today displays an array of architecture. Located on the Atlantic Ocean coast, the municipality is bounded in the northeast and east by Caldas da Rainha, in the south by Bombarral, in the southeast by Lourinhã and in the west by Peniche.
Today this picturesque Medieval hilltop village is land locked and is made up of cobbled streets, white cottages covered in colourful wallflowers, and a still-intact outer castle wall.
Óbidos’ historic centre is completely encircled by its medieval castle walls. You can walk the entire route along the walls for a distance of 1.5 kilometres. Walking along the castle walls is completely free and completely at your own risk. There are no handrails or fences, merely a stone wall on one side and sheer drops on both sides.
Rua Direita is lined with restaurants, souvenir shops, and attractions, and makes up the heart of Óbidos’ shopping district. Porta da Vila is the main gate to Óbidos, decorated with azulejos tiles dating to 1740 that depict the Passion of the Christ, this magnificent balcony is a must see in Óbidos.
Head outside the town centre to visit the Sanctuary of Senhor Jesus da Pedra. Dating back to the mid-18th century, this massive baroque-style church sits surrounded by farmland, just outside of the historic centre of Óbidos.
The town makes an excellent day trip from Lisbon, either on its own or combined with other nearby destinations like Peniche, Nazare, Baleal, Praia D’el Rey and more.
It’s definitely a touristy place, but if you simply go off the busy main street and you may find yourself transported to a different time while you wander this perfect little capsule of old Medieval Europe.
Only after you walk the castle walls, be sure to try a shot of the local ginjinha, a cherry liquor that originates in Óbidos and is sold in many cafes along the narrow streets. In Óbidos the shot glass is typically made of chocolate.
Obidos is also famous for its bookstores, selling new, old and second-hand books.
Although it is possible to reach Obidos from Lisbon by train or alternately via a Tour Bus trip, we recommend car hire as it is relatively cheap and gives the traveller the most flexible option. The region is spread out and there is such a lot to see.
Peniche & Baleal
The small seaside town of Peniche is a lovely place to visit on Portugal’s Silver Coast. Besides having a small fortress and a few small sights in town, Peniche is a major surfing hotspot, from beginners to advanced surfers.
Thanks to being on a small peninsula, there are often good waves on at least one or the other side. There are numerous surfer camps, schools, and boutique hostels in Peniche and the nearby Baleal.
Baleal is a lovely small beach resort with two beaches, one on either side of a sandy causeway out to the town of Baleal. There are numerous lovely sea-side restaurants offering a range of local cuisines and wines at affordable prices
Berlengas Archipelago
This is a natural reserve with a colony of puffins and rich marine life in the water and can be reached via ferry or small boat. This fantastic tour includes the 30-minute boat trip from Peniche, hiking and exploration of the cave. If you prefer to just take the boat to Berlengas round trip, then this is the ticket you need.
The rocky cliff scenery is perfect for stand-up-paddling and kayaking trips, and the Berlengas are known as the best place in mainland Portugal for scuba diving (wet suits required as the waters are icy cold).
There’s a gorgeous fortress on the island, the Fort of São João Baptista, which now serves as a basic pousada (hostel) where you can stay the night.
Overall, Peniche is a lovely place to visit for a day or two. It’s a short drive from Lisbon on a well-maintained comfortable toll road or on back road. Peniche and Baleal are definitely worth checking out when you are in Portugal.
Nazaré
This typical coastal town slash beach resort turns into a truly sensational place in winter when the waves crashing into its bay reach truly dizzying heights.
It’s Nazaré that recorded the world’s biggest wave ever surfed — you can see some marvellous videos of this 24.38m tall wave.
Nazaré has a nice beach backed by some dramatic cliffs that make it a nice summer destination on the western coast. But it’s especially worth catching the dramatic surfing competitions that take place between October and March, depending on the waves and weather conditions.
Praia D'el Rey
Almost the entire coastline between Peniche and Nazaré is known for its surfing potential. Along this coastline backdrop, you will find the golf courses of Praia D'el Rey and others.
Dotted all along this coastline are charming villas and elegant resorts. The expansive beach with its powdery sands and clear waters run right along the entire length of this Atlantic western boundary to this area of central Portugal.
It is the perfect place to spend a beach day strolling the beach or to take a cliff coastal walk taking in the majesty of it all from a higher vantage point.
A sense of Central Western Portugal 2023
The region was established by the Celts on the prominent Atlantic coastline, it was occupied by the Romans followed by a Moorish Muslim invasion and then it was ruled by a Portuguese King. All of these very different cultures have left their mark on the region that exists today.
The best time to visit this region is between May – September. Weather is pleasant and the region is home to several festivals. July and August are probably the month with the highest number of festivals. For the price sensitive, the least expensive months to visit are May and September.
The topology of this region of Portugal is mainly hilly. It is an agricultural region of great importance to the food supply and economy of Portugal
Lisbon airport is the closest access point, with international flights arriving from most destinations. The region lies only one hours drive north from Lisbon.
This region of Portugal has a very low population density. Tourism income is a very large contributor to the local economy during the spring-summer months of the year.
Our must see recommendation for a trip to the Silver Coast, Portugal 2023:-
(1) Take a day to visit and enjoy the medieval walled town of Óbidos.
(2) Visit both Peniche and Baleal to soak up their unique surfing culture and dine in a local restaurant.
(3) To stroll along the expansive coastline just soaking up this very unique Portuguese Atlantic coastal area.
“You should travel away from home, to really appreciate the value of what you have at home, on your return.”
“Happiness is found in the journey and rarely in the destination, alone.”