Local Area
Sao Martinho do Porto & Area
Sao Martinho do Porto
Sao 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 outdoor lift/elevator to get to its higher levels from where you can enjoy stunning views over the rooftops to the bay.
A horse and carriage is available to promenade up and down the front or maybe hiring the 4-wheeled quad-bikes would be more to your liking? A tiny road-train also visits the local beauty spots.
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.
There is a great range of water sports offered here including paragliding, windsurfing, sailing and canoeing as well as pedaloes and motor boats.
Salir do Porto
A smaller resort sharing the bay with Sao Martinho do Porto - footprints of dinosaurs can be seen here!
Nazare
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 Sao 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.
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.
Caldas de Rainha
A sprawling spa town 10 km south of Sao Martinho do Porto, with a museum and an Arts Centre where local ceramics are sold, particularly local Green Majolica. There is a Monday market. The local train which trundles through the countryside between Sao Martinho do Porto and local villages reaches here in just 10 minutes.
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. It lies just 14 km east of Sao Martinho do Porto.
Activities in/near
Sao Martinho do Porto
Great for:
Beach relaxation
Walking & Cycling
Watersports
And:
Good restaurants
A winter sun break
Nearby 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.
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.
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 80 km away and well-worth a day out.