Local Area
Pedra do Ouro & Area
Pedra do Ouro
Pedra do Ouro is a small secluded beach resort, nestling between the pine forests and the sea, between the small resorts of Sao Pedro do Moel and Vale de Paredes.
It has just one restaurant, two bars/cafes, one shop and one beach cafe/shop! - Yet it is only 3km from the many cafes, bars and restaurants in both the beach resort of Vale de Paredes to the south and and the breathtakingly quaint and charming Sao Pedro do Moel to the north.
It is also just 12 km north of the traditional and picturesque fishing town of Nazare.
The many kilometres of unspoilt, uninterrupted sandy beach make it easy to be alone even in the height of summer, yet it is within easy reach of all amenities - a perfect base for relaxing and enjoying the natural surroundings of the medieval pine forests. With historic sight-seeing opportunities only short drives away - there are no less than 10 UNESCO World Heritage sites in this area of Portugal.
There is a picturesque 7 km route (the "Round of Seven') which takes the walker/cyclist via the beauties of the sea, beach, pine forest, fountains and streams. There is also a designated cycle track adjacent to the coast road running for many kilometres up and down this coast - the "Volta aos Cinco" - popular with joggers as well as cyclists.
Other sports easily accessed include tennis, beach volleyball, surfing and body-boarding, swimming, horse riding, paragliding, and fishing.
Guests can make use of the facilities of the local Hotel Albergaria which include free use of tennis courts, use of indoor pool, gym and sauna as well as the hire of children's bikes (to go with our own adult bikes). Pedra do Ouro is also close to three of Portugal's renowned golf courses.
Sao Pedro do Moel
The best preserved "little village by the sea" in central Portugal - a small holiday village with quaint architecture nestling between the pine forests and the sea, only 3 km north of Pedra do Ouro. This charming little resort dates back to Victorian times and boasts a pretty town-beach overlooked by a sea-water lido, and even a lighthouse.
It enjoys an elegant cosmopolitan ambience with plenty of shops, restaurants and bars, some with terraces where you can sit and enjoy the magnificent sunset while you dine.
You can walk along the beach to Pedro do Moel (tide dependent), walk along the wooden raised pathways or cycle along the cycle track to build up your appetite!
Vale de Paredes
Another small beach resort set in a shallow bay only 3 km south of Pedra do Ouro where you can enjoy many more cafe/restaurants.
Again, you can reach Parades by walking along the beach (tide dependent), walking along the wooden raised pathways or cycle along the cycle track to build up your appetite!
Pataias
A village 10km south of Pedra do Ouro. It has a municipal indoor swimming pool which is also the site for the busy Sunday market. 10 minutes drive from the apartment, it is also the venue of the nearest large supermarket, an Intermarche.
Nazare
A picture-postcard fishing village which lies within a sweeping bay, beside a glorious beach, and backed by steep cliffs, just 12 km south of Pedra do Ouro, 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.
Nazare 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 new Waterpark is situated here.
Activities in/near
Pedra do Ouro
Great for:
Beach relaxation
Walking & Cycling
Tennis & Horse riding
And:
Good restaurants
A winter sun break
Watersports & Waterpark
The Costa de Prata/Silver Coast region
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:
Tomar
A charming town dating back to 1157 dominated by a castle, with a neat grid of narrow streets, a main square and a lively 15th Century bridge. An island in the river provides pleasant paths through a cool and shady park. Of great historical significance is the monastery and Templar castle which was founded by the Knights Templar in 1162 still retains wonderful reminders of these Monk-Knights.
Obidos
An enchanting medieval fairytale town set up on a hill with its castle, pretty whitewashed houses, narrow winding streets and tiny tavernas, enclosed by 14th Century crenellated walls.
Batalha Abbey
Founded between 1388 and 1514, a UNESCO World Heritage site - a masterpiece of gothic architecture with unfinished chapels.
Leiria
A Moorish town with a lively market and great authentic tavernas and restaurants. Its resplendent hilltop castle was a royal residence in 14th Century. The castle's loggia affords stunning views overlooking the wide expanse of medieval pine forest, the Pinhal de Leiria. An 18th Century stairway up the hill opposite the castle climbs up to an elaborate and colourful 16th Century Baroque sanctuary. The old town beneath the castle is full of charm with tiny dwellings over archways and graceful arcades.
'Leiria Shopping' is a new mall
Peniche
A small pleasant town, set on a peninsular and partly enclosed by 16th Century walls. It is a port and its 16th Century fortress is now home to a museum. It is only 2 km from both Cabo Carvoeiro with spectacular ocean views, and Baleal with beaches and an idyllic fishing cove reached across a causeway. A boat trip over to the nearby Berlengas Islands is a must for bird-lovers!
Porto de Mos
A small town with a fanciful castle perched on the hill above. It boasts a museum and pretty public gardens. To its south lies the Parque Natural das Serras de Aire e Candeeiros which is an area dotted with vast and spectacular underground caverns full of stalagtites and stalagmites. Grutas de Mira de Aire is the largest of these - 110m into tunnels with walkways around subterranean lakes - an organised tour with a theatrical light and water show is provided.
Pombal
Another small town of whitewashed houses overlooked by a stately castle. It also has a museum.
Fatima
A pilgrim destination as revered as Lourdes. It has a 65m high tower and a square which is twice the size of St Peter's in Rome! Night masses are lit by thousands of candles. A multimedia show tells the story behind the reasons for the pilgrimages which started in 1917.
Ourem
A walled citadel with a 15th Century castle just 10 km north east of Fatima.
Marinha Grande
Famous for its glass manufacture and has a glass museum. There is also a Saturday market.
Caldas de Rainha
A sprawling spa town with a museum and an Arts Centre where local ceramics are sold, particularly local Green Majolica. There is a Monday market.
Alcobaca
As well as a fairytale town hall set in a beautifully-landscaped park, Alcobaca boasts an Abbey, founded between 1153 and 1223, which is yet another UNESCO World Heritage site and is Portugal's largest church.
Golf Courses
The renowned golf courses of Praia del Ray, Rio Maior, Vimeiro and Peniche are all local.
Lisbon
The very beautiful capital of Portugal is only 95 km away and well-worth a day out.