Costa de Prata

Beaches

Surfers paradise

There are many beaches to the north and south of Peniche. Most of these beaches are very popular with surfers because of the superb waves.

On this website you can see all beaches. Just click on the names for more information.

Place to be

São Martinho do Porto has always been ‘the place to be’ voor people from cities like Lisbon. Because of the specific location of the bay, the beach and the sea are accessible for everyone. That's why in summer this beach is also known as Praia das Crianças: children's beach.

You may find difficulties parking your car at São Martinho do Porto during summer holiday, but in the rest of the year that's no problem at all.

All facilities are there. During the summer months you can rent a beach tent, and there is a small children's playground. Highly recommended is the boardwalk that takes you through the dunes, and gives you a good view on the variety of flora in the dunes. The boardwalk takes you across the river into Salir do Porto.

The Bay of São Martinho do Porto Live

https://beachcam.meo.pt/livecams/sao-martinho-do-porto/

Sun space all around

In the Torres Vedras there are several beaches, like Praia Azul, Santa Rita and Santa Cruz. On this page you can find more information.

 

Versatile seaside resort close to Leiria

São Pedro de Moel is a small sea resort, at about 20 kilometers from Leiria. The Portuguese people like to spend time on the beaches of this village. Also boardsurfers like come here and wait in the sea for the best waves to ride. On the sandy beach you can have a nice walk and enjoy the waves that break on the rocks around the village.

It's a picturesque village with great restaurants. On the highest rock you see the Penedo da Saudade lighthouse. The route to São Pedro de Moel takes you through the Pinhal de Leiria, a pine forest where in the last century resin was harvested.

Points of interest are Praia Velha, Praia da Concha, the Penedo da Saudade lighthouse and the Ribeira de Moel river north of the village. There are several parks in the pine forests. There is a beautiful walk through the area, it's about 7 kilometres long and takes you along sea, beaches, forest, parks, fountains and streams.

 

Tranquil beach

Salgado beach is a vast beach located between São Martinho do Porto and Nazaré. Usually the sea is fairly rough, and the beach can be quite steep, so it's not the most suitable beach for children. It is rather a beach for people who are looking for a tranquil day at the beach.

The beach is easily accessible and the parking space is reasonable. Other facilities are limited. During high season part of the beach is supervised by the rescue team.

Part of the beach (towards Nazaré) is reserved for naturists. 

Nazaré

Best known seaside resort of the Costa de Prata

The main beach of Nazaré lies behind a high cliff, on which Sítio is situated. Because of this, there is less wind at this beach. In high season you can rent one o the typical beach cabins to store your things and sit in the shade. Nazaré is especially popular with the Portuguese themselves, who come here to spend their weekends and summer holidays.

The wide beach with fine sand, is big enough for everyone. In the summer months, various activities are organized on the beach, especially for kids.

If you find this beach too crowded in summer, there are more quiet alternatives: more south close to the harbour, or north of Sítio, like Praia do Norte.

World record wave surfing

The beach of Nazaré is long and wide, ideal for a day at the beach. But beware: the sea can be very rough!

And that's exactly the reason why this is an ideal location for surfing championships.

The American surfer Garrett McNamara rode a monster wave in January 2013 at Praia do Norte, and that was a new world record: the wave he rode was 30 meters high!