Silver Coast Portugal

By coincidence we discovered 10 years ago the resort town of Foz do Arelho. Through the internet we came across the website of a Dutch broker who had his office in this village. In January 2005 we went for a week to Porto and Lisbon, and as well Foz do Arelho was on our list. So Sunday we drove from Lisbon to Foz and when we arrived we saw then this old and some neglected beach place.

But anno 2014 Foz is a fantastic nice seaside resort, both in summer and winter. The roads have improved and there is a new boulevard with plenty of parking places. Along the promenade you will find great beach bars where you can have a drink or eat lunch or dinner. Also outside the summer season it is a good place on the terraces. They lie in the shade overlooking the promenade and the beach. Who alights in the morning, slowly sees flooding the terraces, tourists and locals, as well as groups of cyclists and motorcyclists. We are a fan of this place and come here on nice days when we have time. Relax with a book and a glass of wine, we stay for a few hours easily.

The beach is wide and you will find next to beach visitors also (kite) surfers, kayakers and fishermen encounter. But for everyone there is space and is an ideal resort for families with small children. The local government spent money to open the passage to the sea as it was silted up. This had many implications for the underlying pond, such as excess water during heavy rainfall which business was partly flooded. Now they are working on a solution to permanently open the opening.

Modern restaurant, on the beach, for a great lunch or diner with a view to the Óbidos lagoon.

Enjoy the Portuguese sea

Surfing

The Atlantic Ocean is ideal for surfing. Some of the most popular surf beaches are at Nazaré, Baleal and Peniche.

You can rent your gear and/or book some lessons at Peniche Surf Camp, Nazaré Surf School, and others.

For (kite)surfing you can also go to Peniche Kitecenter, and the Escola da Vela in Nadadouro.

Sailing

Both the São Martinho do Porto bay as the Óbidos lagoon are excellent locations for sailing, (kite) surfing, canoeing, etc. You can rent the equipment and take lessons.

For instance, check the Escola de Vela da da Lagoa (sailing school) for possibilities at the Óbidos lagoon, not far from Foz do Arelho, for sailing, canoeing, waterskiing, and windsurfing.

The São Martinho Nautical Club offers sailing and windsurfing lessons.

Discover the Silver Coast by foot

OESTE, or the west, is an area in the centre of Portugal, and is part of the Costa de Prata or Silver Coast. This mainly green area knows bright light and a mild climate.

The nature invites you for a hike:
The landscape is very varied: ocean, woods, fields, lagoon, vineyards, rivers and bay, alternates with small white villages, ruines, windmills, white churches and typical hamlets. All of that in landscape with beautiful hills, from which you have stunning views.

There are lovely hiking possibilities in the nature park of Serras de Aire e de Candeeiros, or around the Lagoa de Óbidos. You can also get hiking routes at the tourist offices.

The area offers many marked footpaths, and there are possibilities for geocaching.

You can also check our page Hiking routes, we continuously add new routes on that page.