The Silver Coast, Portugal
Portugal is undoubtedly picturesque, with long beautiful beaches, quaint, and picturesque towns and fishing villages and the Silver Coast is one of it’s hidden gems. Lesser-known than other more popular parts of Portugal, such as the Algarve, over the last few years tourists and holiday-home buyers have stumbled upon this previously well-kept secret for a family holiday destination.
Many of the beaches on the Silver Coast are proud to carry the Blue Flag; marking them out for their cleanliness and beauty. There are beautiful coves within the cliffs and the breath-taking clear sea coupled with the soft golden sand. The sheer abundance of beaches means there is always somewhere to escape from the crowds; even in high summer.
Sao Martinho do Porto beach (image Wiki Paulo Juntas)
One of the safest beaches for children is . Lying in a bay, sheltered from the sea and cliffs, it has one narrow stretch of water that opens up to the ocean and is a paradise for families. But the Silver Coast has a good selection, if it is busier beaches you are after, Nazare is a huge stretch of sand that gets extremely busy with tourists during the summer. Santa Cruz which lies on the Silver Coast is home to more than 20 beaches that offer something for everyone; whether it is surfers or families. And yes, you’ve guessed it, all with the trademark miles of sounds and magnificent cliffs. For a beautiful child-friendly lagoon try Pbidos Lagoon beach or Foz do Arelho beach.
If the endless choice of beaches isn’t quite enough to keep your brood entertained, there are countless other activities to enjoy on the Silver Coast.
Peniche, one of the beach destinations is somewhat of a surfers’ paradise and has a surf camp that has classes for children of all ages and abilities, so why not grab the wetsuits and see if you and the little ones take like a duck to water? Of course there are other ways to enjoy the water, for example at one of the water parks in the area. If you are in the area of Peniche, try Sportagua, or if you are nearer, Norpark lies just north of Nazare. Both parks have slides and activities for all ages, so really are, fun for all the family.
If you want a break from the water and are equine by nature, there is a range of horse riding tours available along the coast – there are also lessons available for less experienced riders. And of course, the Silver Coast again stays true to the much of the Portuguese coast with its range of golf courses for the gents, ladies or indeed the whole family to attempt to get a hole in one.
The menus often come fresh out the Atlantic Ocean due to the thriving fishing industry, but from the Silver Coast countryside also comes a variety of warming pork, sausage, bean and meat dishes for those who are not of a fishy disposition. In some cases the dishes are mixed; you could find pork served with mussels!
Obidos, Portugal (image via Wik. author Lacobrigo)
If you want to soak up some culture as well as sun, you really are spoilt for choice. There is the architecture in Alcobaca, the natural spas and art in Caldas da Rainha, the castle in Leiria or in the old preserved town of Obidos or Fatima, the village where three young children claimed to see ‘Our Lady of Fatima’ and there forth Fatima became a village of pilgrimage.
The Silver Coast in Portugal has something for everyone, beaches and activities for all ages and interests.
For self-catering family-friendly accommodation along the Silver Coast in Portugal take a look at our website. We have a couple of properties at the time of writing this (our list is growing rapidly :)) You can view them here:
View from Master bedroom
For a family holiday for larger groups try the five bed villa with private pool, gardens, mini golf and wonderful sea and lagoon views https://www.holidaytots.co.uk/view-property/540-private-villa-in-silver-coast/
For something a little smaller try the three bed ground floor villa with enclosed pool https://www.holidaytots.co.uk/view-property/237-apartment-in-silver-coast/
