Trip guides / Day trips
The Silver Coast: Obidos, Nazare, Peniche and Portugal's Underrated Coast
The Silver Coast (Costa de Prata) is the stretch of Atlantic coast north of Lisbon, and one of Portugal’s most underrated regions. It has medieval Óbidos, the giant waves of Nazaré, surf towns, a shell-shaped bay, lagoon beaches, great monasteries and even dinosaurs. It’s an hour from Lisbon and much quieter than the Algarve.
Quick answer: base yourself in Óbidos, Foz do Arelho or São Martinho do Porto, and you’ll have it all within 30 minutes: Nazaré’s waves, surf in Peniche and Baleal, the daily fruit market in Caldas da Rainha, the monasteries of Alcobaça and Batalha, and the Dino Parque in Lourinhã for kids. You’ll want a car.
The highlights
Óbidos
The walled medieval village with ginjinha in chocolate cups. See our full Óbidos guide.
Foz do Arelho
Where the Óbidos Lagoon meets the Atlantic: calm, warm lagoon water on one side and ocean waves on the other. Great for families, kitesurfing and sunsets. Places to stay in Foz do Arelho.
São Martinho do Porto
An almost perfectly round, shell-shaped bay with calm, shallow water, one of the safest family beaches in Portugal. Places to stay in São Martinho.
Nazaré
Home of the biggest waves ever surfed (best from October to March), a big town beach and fishermen’s wives in seven petticoats. See Nazaré.
Peniche and Baleal
Surf central, with Supertubos and the beaches of Baleal, plus boats to the Berlengas islands. See Berlengas and surfing in Portugal. Places to stay in Baleal.
Caldas da Rainha
A spa town with Portugal’s only daily open-air market, the Praça da Fruta (mornings, busiest on Saturday), and the home of Bordallo Pinheiro’s famous cabbage-leaf ceramics. The house-museum opens on weekdays by appointment. Places to stay in Caldas da Rainha.
Alcobaça and Batalha
Two of Portugal’s greatest monasteries, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Alcobaça holds the romantic tombs of Pedro and Inês; Batalha has the “Unfinished Chapels”. A combined ticket covers both, plus Tomar. See Fátima and the monasteries.
Dino Parque Lourinhã
Portugal’s dinosaur park, with life-sized models along woodland trails. Lourinhã is one of Europe’s richest dinosaur fossil areas. €14 adults, €10 ages 4–12, free for under-4s. Places to stay in Lourinhã.
Buddha Eden
A huge, surreal garden of giant Buddhas, terracotta warriors and sculptures in a vineyard near Bombarral, from the Bacalhôa wine company. Check opening times before you go.
Getting there
- By car: Óbidos is about an hour from Lisbon on the A8, with Nazaré another 40 minutes. A car makes it easy to hop between towns. See our Portugal road trip.
- By bus: express buses from Lisbon reach Óbidos, Caldas, Peniche and Nazaré, but connections between towns are slower.
- Tour: see Óbidos and Nazaré tours.
A 3-day plan
- Day 1: Óbidos in the morning, then sunset at Foz do Arelho.
- Day 2: Peniche and Baleal, or a boat to the Berlengas (summer).
- Day 3: Caldas market, Alcobaça, then Nazaré and São Martinho.
When to go
June to September for beach days, autumn and winter for Nazaré’s big waves. The Silver Coast is cooler and breezier than the Algarve, with fewer crowds.
From our sister blog: 11 day trips from Lisbon, including secret spots on Sunset Travellers.
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