The wider area:
The invigorating coast of western Portugal is a dramatic and exhilarating destination where the Portuguese and Spanish go for their holidays – now you can enjoy it too.
The region offers a refreshing change of pace – huge open skies, culturally vibrant towns with fine art treasures from porcelain to crystal, and Atlantic rollers breaking onto wide empty beaches.
This is the real Portugal experience where you can enjoy great food - strongly influenced by the sea, great Bairrada wines and real Portuguese hospitality.
This region of Estremadura is made up of rolling hills tumbling down through the long coastal medieval pine forest of Pinhal de leiria to rugged cliffs and sandy beaches. Its many castles, charming old towns and the finest medieval monasteries still bear witness to the region’s important role in history.
There is just SO much to see and do!
São Martinho do Porto:
São Martinho do Porto is an utterly charming seaside resort within a fabulous cockle-shell-shaped bay. The silky-soft sand of the long beach is lapped by the tranquil waters of the almost land-locked bay making this a paradise for young children, whilst older children can safely enjoy the various water sports available. Wooden walkways over the preserved sand dunes lead to walking and cycling paths which extend to many picturesque sightseeing points.
It enjoys an elegant cosmopolitan ambience with plenty of shops, restaurants, cafes and bars as well as a daily market. It even has an external lift/elevator to get to its higher points.
This quaint and cosy resort has been popular with the Portuguese and Spanish for a century - indeed it is a favourite weekend retreat for Lisboans.
Salir do Porto is a smaller resort sharing the bay with São Martinho do Porto - footprints of dinosaurs can be seen here!
The local area:
Nazaré is a picture-postcard fishing village which lies within a sweeping bay, beside a glorious beach, and backed by steep cliffs, just 13 km north of São Martinho do Porto, so named because of a statue from Nazareth brought here by a monk.
It still maintains considerable traditional character with fishermen wearing checked shirts & black caps, and fishwives wearing seven layers of petticoat, still to be seen working on the beach. There is a Friday market.
Nazaré is an unusual two-tier town with the old town of Sitio sitting high on the cliff above, reached by a funicular (tram car rising up the cliff side). A brand-new Waterpark is situated here.
Alcobaca Abbey, founded between 1153 and 1223, is another UNESCO World Heritage site and is Portugal’s largest church. It lies just 14 km east of São Martinho do Porto.
Caldas de Rainha is a sprawling spa town 10 km south of São Martinho do Porto, with a museum and an Arts Centre where local ceramics are sold.
