During the Age of Discoveries, Portuguese navigators ventured out to the high seas, defying fear and bravely facing uncharted lands where they believed sea monsters and mermaids would lure them to certain death. This attraction to the sea is strongly present in Portugal’s history and culture, with the waves of the Atlantic historically summoning the Portuguese to imagine what life awaits them beyond the horizon. 

 

To this day, this same attraction still inspires dreamers from all over the world. These new "conquerors", much like the Portuguese navigators of centuries ago, are also searching for new adventures, flavours and shores to find a better life. 

 

The coastline north of Nazare offers an especially coveted lifestyle for Portuguese and foreigners alike. Surrounded by a protected forest with over 700 years of history, the beaches between Nazare and Sao Pedro de Moel are famous for their wild beauty and century-old charms. It's a land of pure poetry, where the waves crashing on the sand blend with the chirping of birds among the sand dunes embraced by valleys of pine, inviting you to spend more time outdoors and breathe in the fresh air of the coast. "This air is good for the bones," say the locals. We're convinced it's even better for the soul!

 

The first beach north of Portugal’s most famous fishing village is Praia do Norte, world-renowned for its giant waves. Every year, between the months of October and March, thousands of tourists and surf lovers from all over the world come to Portugal to witness this amazing spectacle of gigantic swells formed by a natural phenomenon caused by the North Canyon. 

 

Near Praia do Norte you’ll also find the Norpark water park, an ideal spot for the whole family to enjoy a day of fun and create lasting memories. 

 

Another must-see spot for those who want to visit Praia do Norte is the Fort of Sao Miguel Arcanjo, which in the past was a place of refuge during pirate attacks. The lighthouse at the top of the fort offers a stunning view over both Nazare beach and the pine forests to the north that embrace the entire coastline. 

 

Continuing your journey, you’ll find Falca Beach, known for its untouched beauty. Being an unsupervised beach with no support facilities, this is the perfect spot to relax in the sun with plenty of privacy or play beach soccer, even during the high season. It's an ideal beach for walking along the seashore, on the various trails that wind along the surrounding slope.

 

A little further north, there is Legua Beach, offering a small parking lot and good access to the beach, where there is also a bar with a terrace. This supervised beach is very sought after for fishing and surfing due to its strong swell. Although it can get crowded during the summer, there is plenty of space for everyone!

 

Next is Vale Furado Beach, one of the most beautiful on the Silver Coast of Portugal! Here you'll find high cliffs in shades of yellows and reds, sculpted by the slow action of seawater, rain and winds. It's a peaceful place to relax and enjoy nature, especially in the viewpoint at the top of the parking lot where the sunset is simply breathtaking. 

 

Nearby there are restaurants and cafés, where you can relish in ice cream after a day on the beach or savour a typical Portuguese meal. We suggest you begin with "bolhao pato” clams, a perfect starter to open your appetite for fabulous fresh fish slowly grilled over the embers, accompanied by a glass of delicious Portuguese white wine!

 

 

The descent to the beach is steep, taking a dirt road leading to a small waterfall that ends with a stream all the way to the sea where there are always children playing. Although the beach is not watched and the facilities are limited, the breathtaking landscape makes this place very worthwhile to visit. 

Continue through Mina Beach, another strip of golden sand surrounded by nature, until you reach Paredes de Vitoria. This small village is also known for its huge white sandy beach. Embraced by two slopes, the small village is an ideal place to enjoy the open air and the Silver Coast’s fabulous lifestyle. 

 

With delightful cafés and restaurants, this beach is perfect for the whole family. It also offers ideal conditions for surfing and bodyboarding, being very popular with young people who take advantage of the extensive sand to play volleyball and beach soccer. 

 

On the north side, the beach is framed by the "castle", a huge rock formation where the wind and the sea have shaped a lion that faces the Atlantic. At the top of both slopes, on clear days the sky is painted with paragliders.

 

 

 

Praia de Paredes da Vitoria also benefits from its central location, only 5 kilometres from the village of Pataias, where you can find health services, a public pool complex for swimming and group classes, supermarkets, restaurants, various cafés, pastry, and local shops, as well as a fabulous lagoon perfect for enjoying the outdoors.

 

The vast stretches of sand continue towards the beaches of Polvoeira, Pedra do Ouro and Agua de Madeiros, embedded between cliffs and famous for the rock formations that extend along the sand. 

 

The access to the Agua de Madeiros Beach is made by stairs, offering a breathtaking view that allows you to see all the way to Sao Pedro de Moel. This beach is very appreciated by families, couples and groups of friends who appreciate the wild beauty of the coast and tranquillity of less crowded beaches.

 

 

Continuing on the forest back roads, we finally reach Sao Pedro de Moel, a quaint little village in the heart of Pinhal de Leiria, a 700-year-old pine forest and one of the biggest in Portugal. 

 

This famous seaside resort is known for its typical houses, characterized by its wooden shutters and balconies. With less than 400 residents and a small village atmosphere, Sao Pedro do Moel beach is also a favourite spot for surfing and bodyboarding. For those who like outdoor sports, there is a tennis court and several bike paths winding between the pine forest roads. To the north, following the coastline, you'll find the Penedo da Saudade lighthouse, which has been signaling boats and planes for over 100 years. 

 

 

A property in this gorgeous region of Portugal is a wonderful option for anyone looking for a dream home near the beach to enjoy daily walks among nature, a friendly “bom dia” of the welcoming locals or an amazing offer of restaurants and cafés to take your time over delicious Portuguese cuisine or just a simple espresso while overlooking the sea. 

 

This area is also very close to several amenities, from high-quality private and public healthcare facilities to high-end shopping centres, monuments and fantastic restaurants! And you only need a little over an hour to get to Lisbon International Airport! 

 

Contact us for more information or to book a visit to one of our fantastic properties for sale on the Silver Coast.

 

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