Beaches:
The family seaside resort of Vila Praia de Âncora is 4km away, and either side of it, along a 50km stretch, are the many safe, clean beaches of the Costa Verde - surf beaches, sandy, rocky, wide, discreet, family, romantic beaches - you can go to a different one each day to suit your mood. At Afife there's a surfing beach (and surf/body boarding lessons); at Caminha there's a beach with one side on the Atlantic, the other on the River Minho; or you can hire a ferryman to take you out to a deserted island; on Serra de Arga there are fresh mountain pools and waterfalls; and there are also warm, sheltered river beaches on the Rivers Lima and Minho.
Touring, tourism:
The cottage is ideally located for easy access to a range of activities: The rugged, wild countryside of Peneda-Gerês National Park, & further away the Douro Valley; The villages and country lanes of Alto Minho, a landscape from an earlier era; Serra d’Arga (784m); The Lagoas nature reserve at Bertiandes; The Casino at Póvoa de Varzim; History, culture and nightlife in a dozen towns within a short drive; Karting (www.kartodromodeviana.com), canoeing (please, contact owner for link), surfing & bodyboarding (abcescoladesurf.com), 10-pin bowling, fishing, horse riding; The World Heritage City of Oporto; The traditional Romarias, folklore, singing, dancing, decorative crafts and cuisine of the Minho region; Restaurants galore, serving the famous Minho dishes.
Golf:
Ponte de Lima (20km), part of “a bucolic scenery of mountains, vineyards and fruit gardens”, is a course typical of the Minho region. Par 71, 6005m, including Portugal's longest hole at 622m (par 5).
Estela (50km), built on a 3km stretch of sand dunes on the beautiful Costa Verde, this is one of the Portuguese golf links that secured a high reputation for itself when it hosted two events in the European Professionals' Circuit. Par 72, 6129m.
Quinta da Barca golf resort (35km), an excellent 9-hole course with stunning views over the Cavado River. Par 31, 2012m.
Other Activities:
Karting, ten-pin bowling, canoeing