COSTA DE PRATA

Fifty kilometres (30mi) north of Aveiro lies Esmoriz, a resort in waiting. For now, a draw for locals and visiting surfers Esmoriz has the potential to be much much more. Esmoriz is a traditional fishing village as demonstrated by the colourful fishing boats left on the beaches and the traditional "Palheiro" wooden fisherman huts. The town has over recent years made a name for itself amongst the surfing community due to the area's reliable beach break which draws wave riders of all abilities. Several surf camps and schools have opened up to accommodate those who want to work on their skills.

In addition to investments in the infrastructure of the town, there has been substantial regeneration of the lagoon and the rare coastal environment north of Esmoriz. The area is now protected and a sanctuary for wildlife and birds. Also, a new park was established which contains 20 hectares of lakes, grassland and maritime pine forest.

Praia da Esmoriz
This beach is linked to the Barrinha de Esmoriz lagoon and National Reserve at the northern end. The expanse of sands here at this stretch of the beach is the widest of the resort with fewer bars, cafés and apartments. Instead, it's where new dunes and coastal habitats are being regenerated. The beach is somewhat exposed to Atlantic winds and the waters here are best suited to surfers who take advantage of the consistent beach breaks here. Waves reach a height of between one and three metres with no hidden rocks and easy access to the beach. | 40° 52' 22.1" N | 08° 40' 38.8" W

Barrinha de Esmoriz
The lagoon system north of Esmoriz known as Barrinha de Esmoriz or Lagoa de Paramos has enjoyed much regeneration, with the help of EU funds, over the last few years. Dunes and watercourses have been dredged, trees planted, reverting the land into wetlands suitable for rare breeds of birds and fauna. There are now over 395 hectares of protected habitat between Esmoriz and Espinho. In 2017 walkways were built that traverse this delicate landscape and form part of the Ecovia do Litoral network of coastal paths which extend north to the Spanish border. The wooden pathways open this unique environment to walkers and provide viewpoints for waterfowl such as herons, sandpipers, swallowtails and gull-billed terns. | 40° 57' 56.1" N | 08° 38' 32.9" W

Praia do Furadouro
Five kilometres west of Ovar is the small resort of Furadouro with a vast expansion of white sand. On the north and southern extremities of the beach, boardwalks traverse a wide area of dunes containing rare fauna. Somewhat unspoiled from mass tourism yet still popular with locals, there are plenty of eateries and watering holes for everyone's refreshment. Water quality here has Blue Flag status and conditions are ideal for bathing. Facilities at the centre are numerous, with good parking and disabled access. Further away from the centre is quieter and it's here where surfers head for. There's a handful of surf hire shops and schools for those who wish to ride the waves. | 40° 52' 22.1" N | 08° 40' 38.8" W [ More About ► ]

South of Porto for about 68km (42 miles) and 58km (35 miles) north of Coimbra is the jagged lagoon coastline that is the Ria de Aveiro (Ria Lit: submerged river valley that remains open to the sea). The old port and fishing town of Aveiro has harvested the tidal nature of the lagoon system for generations. It is famed for salt production and the gathering of seaweed for use as a fertiliser. It is also renowned for the manufacture of ceramics. Aveiro is often referred to as the "Venice of Portugal", a somewhat overstatement. The canals, the number of low-arched bridges and the gondola-type boats called barcas moliceiros do, however, add a Venetian charm to the town.

The town also boasts some magnificent Art Nouveau buildings and building fronts decorated with azulejos, the façade of the train station is of special significance. One of the best ways to experience the town is to take a boat trip along the canals. Most of the tours start from the central canal, which effectively divides the lower town into two halves. The moliceiros are ornately painted with a low-edge bow that enables easy grasping of seaweed from the lagoon. Seaweed was used to fertilise the surrounding farmland.
40° 38' 28.0" N | 08° 39' 20.2" W [ More About ► ]

Aveiro Beaches

Although Aveiro isn't on the coast, there are many excellent beaches close by as part of the northern part of the Silver Coast…

Costa Nova
Located along the length of a sandy bar south of Praia de Barra on the southern mouth of the Ria Aveiro lagoon, its western shore coasts the Atlantic whilst the lagoon estuary washes over the eastern bank. Costa Nova is popular with surfers, sun worshippers and bathers alike. The most spectacular feature is the 'palheiros', the famed colourful candy-striped houses.

The beach itself is wide with light-coloured fine-grained sand bordered by grassy dunes. The beach can be traversed along wooden boardwalks and floating bridges. The beach on the estuary side carries blue flag status, and there are lifeguards for your safety. Considering the beauty of the area, Costa Nova surprisingly is never crowded. Costa Nova can easily be reached from Aveiro by bus, the bus stops outside the old train station and the English School. | 40° 37' 03.6" N | 08° 45' 08.3" W [ More About ► ]

Praia da Barra
Rounding the northern tip of the southern sand bar stands Praia da Barra. The beach is equally good as Costa Nova. The area has a more "urbanised" feel. The 19th-century lighthouse here is Portugal's tallest. The Farol da Barra rises 203 feet (62 metres). The site around it is open to the general public throughout the year. Barra's exposure to the Atlantic elements makes it ideal for surfing and water sports. | 40° 38' 24.8" N | 08° 44' 53.9" W

São Jacinto
On the northern bar of the Ria lies São Jacinto, its expanse of beach and nature reserve dunes. It has good amenities such as fully equipped locker rooms, beach facilities, a café and disabled access. The dunes are not only spectacular but also play a vital role in the area's ecology and stabilising water levels. To get to São Jacinto from Aveiro it's possible to take a ferry across the lagoon. The drive takes a roundabout route. | 40° 40' 07.3" N | 08° 44' 52.0" W

Praia da Vagueira
This long and wide sandy expanse of sand is still used by fishermen carrying on local traditions, albeit these days the fully laden nets are pulled onto the beach by tractors rather than bulls. Other than the small-scale fishing industry Praia da Vagueira draws tourists, most abundantly during the high season. Bathers prefer the beach area close to the jetty where the breezes and waters are calmer. Other areas are favoured by surfers. | 40° 33' 40.6" N | 08° 46' 11.7" W

Praia de Mira
Praia de Mira is a pleasant coastal town between Aveiro and Figueira da Foz that draws plenty of visitors each season. Despite being located off the beaten track they're plenty of amenities and accommodation options. Behind. the dunes there's a large lagoon known as the Barrinha with calm waters for safe bathing and pedalos.

The beach itself is a long stretch of unbroken fine sand that extends way beyond the town itself. Scattered on the sands are the colourful fishing boasts known as Xavegas. Backing the beach a line of planted dunes and pine forests protects Praia de Mira from coastal erosion. | 40° 27' 13.3" N | 08° 48' 12.2" W

Forty kilometres (25mi) west of Coimbra laying at the mouth of the river Mondego is one of the liveliest resorts on the Costa de Prata. Figueira da Foz was once an important port and has monuments to its maritime history everywhere. Figueira da Foz has reinvented itself modern times into a major resort, thanks mainly to having Portugal's largest beach. Known colloquially as the queen of beaches (Rainha das Praias) at low tide the beach is three kilometres wide and takes over five minutes to reach the water's edge from the seawall. The seafront is lined with hotels, cafés, bars and restaurants. There are amusements such as a casino, sports areas, fairgrounds, children's parks and play areas to keep the whole family entertained. Figueira da Foz is particularly popular with domestic tourists as well as visitors from Spain. | 40° 09' 12.7" N | 08° 52' 08.2" W
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Figueira da Foz Beaches

Beaches north of Figueira da Foz are undevveloped and required traversing dunes on woodern boardwalks. The headline at Cabo Mondego rises hight over the beautiful landscape and ocean beyond. The viewpoint here is shared by the remains of an old stone lighthouse. Further north is a forest where you can find the picturesque Cascata de Quiaios waterfall.

Praia de Buarcos
Praia de Buarcos and Praia da Claridade form the two ends of the beach that fronts Figueira da Foz. Buarcos takes its name from a traditional fishing village at the northern end of the bay two kilometres from the centre of town and now a quiet suburb of Figueira. There is a traditional feel to Buarcos where fishermen still ply their age-old trade. As such it is here you'll find some of the best fish restaurants. Interspersed between the new high rises are traditional fishermen's huts. Surfers also favour this area of Figueira where you can find the longest waves in Portugal. | 40° 09' 47.1" N | 08° 52' 34.2" W

Praia da Claridade
The main beach at Figuera stretches two kilometres along the town's promenade. It is here the sands are the most extensive and reputed to be Europe's widest. The waters here are calm and shallow, ideal for family bathing. The seafront is lined with eateries, watering-holes and modern hotels. Praia da Claridade is where the action is and can get busy during peak seasons. The beach finally terminates at the mouth of the River Mondego where, in the shadow of a tall clock tower, is a funfair. The Forte de Santa Catarina guards the mouth of the river and overlooks private yachts bobbing up and down in the harbour.
40° 09' 19.2" N | 08° 52' 11.7" W

South of Figueira da Foz
On the southern bank of the Mondego river, a 40 km long line of narrow beaches and a dune system all the way to Marinha Grande. The lack of development here offers visitors a more tranquil experience. Amenities are rare and the sea is more lively. The conditions here attracts surfers and lovers of water sports.

São Pedro de Moel
leven kilometres (7mi) West of Marinha Grande is the small laid back resort of São Pedro de Moel. The hamlet consists mainly of holiday homes, villas and tastefully renovated traditional homes. Vestiges of São Pedro de Moel's fishing heritage are evident in the architecture. The light coloured sand beach is squeezed between two hills that comes right up to the village square. North of town there's the Farol Penedo da Saudade lighthouse marking the point where the coast becomes more perilous. There's a campsite opposite. There's fine footpaths here that meanders cliffs and sandy coves. Buses from Leiria and Marinha Grande operate regularly during the summer. | 40° 09' 19.2" N | 08° 52' 11.7" W

Praia da Vieira de Leiria
Vieira de Leiria is a traditional fishing community that has reinvented itself into a pleasant resort. The village is located on the south bank of the River Lis and close to the ancient pine forest of Pinhal de Leiria. There are plenty of amenities here including the Mariparque water park. Fishermen set out early in their boats to guarantee the local restaurants have readily caught fresh fish. There's something for everyone here, Vieira de Leiria is popular with both families and surfers alike. | 39° 52' 36.7" N | 08° 58' 20.5" W

Any remnants of the fishing village Nazaré once have been swept away by the spoils of tourism. Although there are brightly coloured narrow sardine fishing boats landed on the beaches. Their high curved prows nod to a Phoenician ancestry. Fisherman wives wear seven colourful layers of skirts and wooden clogs with a black headscarf. It is thought that they represent the seven days of the week, the seven colours in the rainbow, the seven waves in a set and many other biblical, mythical and magical attributions which involve the number seven.

Nazaré is now about having fun. The town has become famous for some of the largest waves in the world, rising up to 30 metres due to a five-kilometre deep undersea canyon off the coast. Families also flock here during the summer. There is no shortage of restaurants, bars and places to stay.
39° 35' 54.8" N | 09° 04' 17.5" W [ More About ► ]

Praia da Nazaré
Along the seafront of Nazaré, alongside sunbathing holidaymakers and playing children fishermen still dry fish in the sun, mend boats and fix nets. A profusion of craft shops lines the seafront, Avenida Marginal, ranging from cheap tat to artisan. Here too you can find great fish restaurants, look out for the Caldeirada à Nazarena, a local fish stew.

Sitio de Nazaré

North of Nazaré the landscape rises to a rocky promontory that overlooks beaches that are more exposed to the elements than in the centre of town. From this vantage point, people gather to watch professional surfers ride humongous waves the area is famous for. Praia do Norte, Praia da Légua and Vale Furado are all here and rightfully patrolled by lifeguards although other beaches swimming is prohibited - lookout for the signs. Here too is the Norpark waterpark that offers visitors a wide variety of entertainment including slides, a giant Jacuzzi, semi-Olympic pool, aerobics pool and even a children's pool. On the headland sits the 16th-Century Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo that now houses an oceanic museum and surfboard exhibition. Inland there's a forested park where wild deer roam.

Eight kilometres (5mi) south of Nazaré is the beautiful resort of São Martinho do Porto. It has a shell-shaped bay with soft golden sands. The calm conditions of the sea is a stark contrast to the wilder waters in Nazaré. The enclosed nature of the bay results in warmer sea temperatures too. The conditions are ideal for swimming, boating and snorkelling. São Martinho do Porto has undergone quite a lot of development recently but as yet not spoiled by mass tourism. The town is popular with Portuguese families but has yet to be discovered by the international crowd.

Ether side of the bay is two twin headlands. On the southern promontory is the remains of the 12th-Century Capela de Santa Ana chapel from where there are amazing views over the bay. The town has plenty of amenities and places to eat. There's a handy train service to Caldas da Rainha and Leiria.
39° 30' 16.8" N | 09° 08' 09.0" W

The largest lagoon system in Portugal of roughly three square miles, yet with an average depth of only two metres. In olden times the waters of the lagoon lapped up against the walls of Óbidos. After centuries of silting, the lagoon has retreated three miles west. Today the integrity of the lagoon is maintained by dredging and is utilised for water activities and sustaining a local fishing economy.

The beach at Foz do Arelho belongs to the village and sits where the lagoon meets the sea. It has glorious golden sands and calm waters ideal for sunbathers, surfers, ankle dippers and families alike. The few cafés and restaurants that line the seafront are enough to service the needs of the moderate crowds who congregate here.

Peniche was once an island but is now joined to the mainland by a narrow strip of land. Peniche fort was once an infamous prison during the Salazar years but now houses the Museu Nacional Resistência e Liberdade museum. The walled old town surrounds a sixteenth-century fort and has a working feeling about it. From the marina, you can take a ferry to the Ilha Berlenga island ten kilometres offshore. The island is an important nature reserve and has the famous Fortress São João Baptista perched on its own islet.

An enjoyable regional market is held on the last Thursday of each month. Peniche is still transitioning from being a fishing community into a tourist destination. A large number of seafood restaurants have opened up by the harbourfront and new developments have sprung up. Surrounding Peniche there are several beaches within easy reach. [ More About ► ]

Baleal

Four kilometres (3mi) north of Peniche is the scenic island-village of Baleal which is connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway. The area is surrounded by beautiful golden beaches and ideal conditions for or all levels of surfing. Several bars and restaurants dot the area as do surf schools and board rental shops.
39° 22' 36.7" N | 09° 20' 26.5" W