Worth-seeing
Too much to mention!
Maybe the main reason why the Costa de Prata is so renowned, is the huge number and quality of things to see and do.
The vast beaches, remarkable nature, special museums, historic cities and monastries, picturesque villages. It's really too much to mention but we try anyway.
Sub categories
World Heritages
No Less than 6 Portuguese World Hertitage sites are located in this region
- Monastry of Alcobaça
- Monastry of Batalha
- Cultural landscape of Sintra
- Convent of Christ in Tomar
- University of Coimbra
- Royal Building of Mafra (Palace, Basilica, Convent, Garden and Hunting Park)
Exciting caves
Spectacular caves
In the nature park of Serra de Aire e dos Candeeiros you can visit several caves. All three give you a spectacular view below the surface of the earth. Some locations look extra special because of the stunning lighting. On a regular basis exhibitions are organised inside the caves.
These are the caves:
- Grutas Alvados/ San Antonio
- Grutas da Moeda
- Grutas Mira d’Aire
The latter won the price 'Natural wonder of Portugal'.
Special museums
From Buddha to Dino
Not only the Costa de Prata offers many historical buildings, there are also lots of interesting museums and sculpture parks. Often surprisingly modern and multimedial.
Indoor museums, open air exhibitions, excavations, you name it and its there. How about dinossaur footprints or the impressive Buddha Eden park?
Cosy markets
A unforgettable experience
Going to a market in the Silver Coast is a experience not easy to forget; a big difference with the markets in the UK is that you can buy almost anything you want. Clothes (casual but also costumes) and shoes till tools, rugs, distilling kettles, horse saddles and living animals like chickens, rabbits and puppies.
Nature and Culture
To enjoy!
Both nature- and culture lovers won´t miss a thing in this region. Naturepark Serra d’Aire e Candeeiros for instance is 400 km2 large and a real paradise for hikers and mountain-bikers. The large amount of historical buildings and cities, de farmers markets, the (fado) concerts and museums making the Portuguese culture palpable.
Hypermodern museum on bloody battle
In São Jorge (between Aljubarrota and Batalha) you can find the Battle of Aljubarrota Interpretation Centre, one of the most modern museums of Europe. By using advanced media it takes visitors back to the year 1385. There is an exhibition, an educational area, but also a shop, restaurant and picknick garden. And what about the “medieval machines activity park” with games and wooden machines which can be activated by visitors. A fun day out!
Beautiful lagoon invites you for some activities
This vast and natural lagoon is situated between the historic town of Óbidos and the trendy beach resort of Foz de Arelho.
The lagoon has a narrow passage to the Atlantic Ocean. There are walking and cycling routes around the lagoa, and on the water you can surf, sail, fish, and many other activities. This is also a place where paragliders like to use the thermals for long float trips.
Foz do Arelho has several nice beach bars along the wide promenade, a good place to have a drink after a nice stroll. And if you're lucky you can watch a volleyball game on the beach.
Endless pine forests, quiet beaches and Roman excavations
North of Nazaré and Sítio you can explore endless pine forests and quiet beaches: Praia do Norte, Praia da Légua, Vale Furado. Some beaches are guarded in the summer season, so you can safely swim there when the sea behaves itself. On the other beaches swimming is prohibited, because of the steeply sloping sand banks and the strong undertow in the ocean. South of Nazaré there is another beach, the vast Praia do Salgado.
North and south of Nazaré and Sitio there are two marked hiking trails, that take you to beaches, forests and rocks.
On the east side, between Nazaré and Valado dos Frades, in the middle of the woods, you will find a lookout on Mount São Bartlomeu (S. Brás), from where you can see the whole area.
Along the road from Valado dos Frades to Alcobaça, you will find on your left the porcelain factory of SPAL. At the factory outlet you can buy Portuguese porcelain with decorations from very simple to very exuberant, all at reasonable prices.
On the right side of this road, at the village Bárrio, you can find the archaeological site Parreitas. Here are for instance the foundations of an ancient Roman villa.
Strolling on authentic regional market makes you hungry
The Mercado de Santana in Venda da Costa, right between the municipalities of Caldas da Rainha, Rio Maior and Alcobaça, is a true experience.
Every Sunday of the year you can fully immerse yourself in Portuguese life on this authentic market. And you will not be alone! Because they come from everywehere, the people who come her to shop, or sell their often home-grown products.
Fresh fruits and vegetables, all kinds of cheese, as well as baskets, furniture and hardware. And what could be better than to round off a pleasant morning on the market with a delicious traditional Portuguese lunch at one of the restaurants? Chicken piri-piri, chips and a great regional wine. Of course followed by a typical Portuguese coffee.
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The history of the monastry, a lovestory
The Real Abadia (royal abbey) de Santa Maria is in many ways the heart of Alcobaça.
It all started when King Afons I promised to give some land to saint Bernard if he would succeed in conquering the city of Santarém from the Moors. He succeeded in 1147, and in 1178 the Cistercians started building the monastry, and finished it some 45 years later. Soon it became the most important cistercian monastry in Portugal. Both church and monastry are originally gothic buildings. Later new parts were added to the monastry in different styles, like the 2 baroque towers.
Originally the complex was much bigger, but the earthquake of 1755, and the occupation by the French early 19th century, destroyed large parts of the monastry. What remained however is still a large complex, partly open to the public. A visit is certainly worthwhile, you can see things like the cloisters, the lavatory, the impressive kitchen, the dormitory, etc.
A lovestory
In the church lie the remains of Pedro I and Inês de Castro, each in their own tomb. Their love story is the most famous story in Portugal.
Pedro, son of Afonso IV, was about to marry the galician Constança. She arrived at the Portuguese court together with her maid of honour Inês. Pedro and Inês fell totally in love with eachother. This worried Afonso IV so much he decided to send Inês back to Burgos. Pedro and Constança got married, but Pedro could not forget Inês.
When Constança died in 1345, Pedro and Inês reunited, and the secretly got married. Together they hd 4 children. Afonso IV however still could not accept their love, and ordered Inês to be killed in 1355: she was decapitated by hitmen. Pedro was furious and wanted revenche. After his accession to the throne in 1357 he immediately ordered the hitman, who fled to Galicia, to be extradicted. After they arrived in Santarém Pedro demanded them to be tortured until death, and put their bodies on display afterwards.
In 1361 Pedro ordered Inês' body to be balmed, dressed as a queen, and put her on a throne next to him at the cathedral. All members of the nobility and the assembly were forced to kiss her hand, and by that Inês was posthumously crowned. Then her royal body was brought to Alcobaça and placed in a sarcophagus. On Pedro's command his own sarcophagus was put opposite of Inês so that when they both rise on judgment day, the first thing they see will be each other.
Islands close to Peniche are beautiful nature reserve
The Berlengas archipelago, Ilhas Berlengas, is a group of small islands off the Portuguese coast at about 10 km. from Peniche. The whole of the archipelago is a nature reserve.
The islands are uninhabited, only on the main island some people live on a permanent basis. They take care of the lighthouse, and control the reserve.
Some native plant species can be found on the islands. Also the islands are a breeding ground for many bird species, and they offer stopover space to migrating birds.
The largest island is Berlenga Grande. Here you can find the São João Baptista fort, built in 1502 in manuelino style. The fort is connected to the island by a narrow bridge. The fort was partly converted into a pousada (hotel).
Around the fort fishermen offer boattrips, to show you the island from sea, so you can see some caves and interesting rock formations.
To see everything the island has to offer you can follow the marked footpath. This takes you to the fort, caves, the lighthouse, beautiful beaches with crystal clear water, and to some spots that give you spectacular views.
The islands also attract many divers who enjoy the beautiful underwater flora and fauna.
From May to October the islands are open to the public. From the harbour of Peniche you can take the boat, the crossing takes about 45 minutes. It is recommended to make reservations for the boattrip, especially during summer months, because only a limited number of people per day are allowed on the island.
Rugged landscape offers many hiking possibilities
In the inland of the Costa de Prata is the nature reserve Parque Natural das Serra de Aire e Candeeiros, one of 13 nature reserves in Portugal. It is located in the limestone hills of the Estremadura, it’s size is about 39,000 hectares.
In this nature reserve you can hike along several marked pathways, all with different lengths, duration and difficulties so everyone can enjoy a nice hike.
There are about 20 different routes. One of them is the Rota dos Moinhos which takes you to some old windmills, the Buraco Roto route takes you through a beautiful landscape including a waterfall.
Palace is baroque heart of Mafra
In Mafra you can visit the Palacio Nacional de Mafra, a beatiful palace and monastry. João V demanded the construction in the 18th century, the profits of gold- and diamond mines in Brazil financed the construction.
This vast complex is among the most sumptuous Baroque buildings in Portugal.
The palace is open to the public, although only by guided tours. The tour through the palace takes about one hour, and gives you a good impression of the palace, convent and basilica.
The highlight of the tour is the very impressive Rococo library: 88 m long, over 35,000 leather-bound volumes. Besides natural techniques of conservation for the books, such as the lack of space between the wall and the book (so it doesn't create humidity), there are also a few bats that inhabit this library eating any insect that could destroy this invaluable treasure!
Portuguese writer José Saramago wrote a novel about the construction of the monastry: Memorial do Convento (Memorial of a Convent).
Outside you can walk around the Tapada Nacional de Mafra, the king’s former wildlife and game reserve. It is a unique nature reserve, over 800 hectares in size, completely enclosed by a wall.
The variety in flora and fauna is impressive.
Water feature
When it rains the water is cascading over a carpet of large granite blocks and is collected in a huge basin.
The water is filtered in a natural way in the stomach and lead to a public fountain for the people of Mendiga. (2480 Porto de Mós)
In the park you find a educative model of the water mining. There is also a children playground, a public bbq and toilets.
Portugues sentimental song full of melancholy
Fado is the most popular folk music in Portugal. This Portuguese of way singing about life can be traced back to early 19th century. It originates from the poor districts of Lisbon. Fado literally means “fate” (from the Latin word “fatum”), and fado is part of every Portuguese person’s life.
The songs are about things that happen in life, melancholy, sadness, nostalgia for what no longer exists, but also about happiness and feasts. The Portuguese word for these feelings is “saudade”. This is such a typical Portuguese word, in other languages there is no translation for it.
There are two varieties of fado, namely those of the cities of Lisbon and Coimbra. The Lisbon style is the most popular, and was orginally sung by women only. Coimbra's fado has a more academic character, and is exclusively sung by men.
Since the revival of fado in the nineties of the 20th century, fado gets more and more famous internationally, and reaches more people every day. Amalia Rodrigues is considered to be one of the most important and influential fadistas ever.
In both Lisbon and Coimbra there are some fado restaurants where (professional) fadistas (fado singers) perform their songs. Lisbon’s districts Bairro Alto, Alfama and Mouraria, are very well known for their fado restaurants.
Also in the Costa de Prata, several restaurants offer a complete night out, with diner and music. Prebookings are usually mandatory.
In November 2011 the Portuguese Fado was added to Unesco’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Weekly markets
• Sunday mornings Santana market near Benedita; and in Pataias, north of Nazaré
• Mondays in Caldas da Rainha (at McDonalds turn left to Rio Maior, the market is at the 3rd roundabout)
• Mondays in Alcobaça (next to Continente supermarket), and Batalha
• Thursdays in Malveira
• Fridays in Nazaré
• Saturdays in Leiria (near football stadium) and in Marinha Grande
Daily markets
• Vegetables / fruit market in Caldas da Rainha (Praça da República)
• Vegetables / fruit / fish market in São Martinho do Porto
Fish market in Caldas da Rainha
Jumble- and antique markets
• 1st Saturday of the month in Peniche
• 2nd Saturday in Leiria
• 4th Saturday in Marinha Grande
• 1st Sunday of the month in Óbidos
• 2nd Sunday in the park at Caldas da Rainha
• 3rd Sunday in Alcobaça, next to the monastry
• 4th Sunday in São Martinho do Porto, at the Avenida Marginal
Caldas da Rainha has a history of the artisanal and industrial production of ceramics. The colourful azulejos (tiles) are a good example. The history of ceramics in this town is also the 'raw material' for contemporary artists.
Ceramics workshops and museums:
- Museu da Cerâmica: exhibition of an important collection of ceramics from the 16th to the 20th century. The museum is located in a beautiful villa, surrounded by gardens.
- Casa Museu de São Rafael: exhibition of ceramics by the artist São Rafael, made by the Bordallo Pinheiro factory.
www.bordallopinheiro.com - Atelier-Museu António Duarte: exhibition of work by of sculptor António Duarte (1912-1998)
- Atelier-Museu João Fragoso: exhibition of work by sculptor João Fragoso (1913-2000)
Other museums:
- Museu do Hospital e das Caldas da Rainha: museum on 5 centuries of medicinal springs, and the thermal hospital in Caldas da Rainha. The exhibition includes paintings, sculptures, carvings, clothing, furniture, ceramics, and medical / scientific instruments.
- Museu Barata Feyo: exhibition of work by sculptor Barata Feyo (1899-1990)
- Museu José Malhoa: exhibitions of paintings by José Malhoa (1855-1933), and work by other Portuguese artists
- Espaço Concas: exhibition of paintings by Maria da Conceição Nunes, also known as Concas (1946-1991), in the Centro de Artes
- Museu do Ciclismo: exhibition on cycling in Portugal
In Coimbra you can visit Portugal dos Pequenitos, or Portugal for the Little Ones. It is a recreational-educational park intended primarily for children.
The park has thematic areas, like Monumental Portugal (miniatures of the country’s main monuments), Portuguese-speaking countries (representation of a.o. African countries, Brazil, Macau), The Islands (main monuments of Madeira and Azores), Coimbra, and Regional Houses.
You can also visit the Dress museum, that has around 300 miniature outfits on display from the 16th to the 20th century. Everything was handmade, and donated to the museum in 1950.
There is also a Barbie museum, the collection on display is the largest in Portugal and possibly one of the biggest in Europe, is composed of over 300 dolls. It includes the original Barbie of 1959, the Barbies of the world, the Hollywood collection, Barbies dressed by couturiers of international reputation, and many more.
Portugal dos Pequenitos also stands out as a high-quality display of sculptures and architectural art, the miniature size and detail of which continues to charm children and adults.
Parque dos Monges: for active monks (and everyone else)
Just outside Alcobaça is the Parque dos Monges (Monks Park). This is a very large park offering recreation, adventure and education.
There is an eco-aquarium “Mãe d’Água”, a convent farm, craft workshops, a themepark (where you can do some canoeing on the lake, mountainclimbing, archery, rope sliding), and much more.
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