What is the Silver Coast?
The Silver Coast — Costa de Prata in Portuguese — is the stretch of Atlantic coastline running roughly from Torres Vedras north to Figueira da Foz, about an hour north of Lisbon. It's the coast that most package holidays skip, which is precisely its appeal.
Where the Algarve offers manicured resorts and the Alentejo coast has become a slow-travel cliché, the Silver Coast remains genuinely local. Fishing boats still go out at dawn. The best restaurants don't have English menus. And on a warm September evening, you can have a beach almost entirely to yourself.
Beyond the Room tip
The Silver Coast is best explored with a car. Public transport connects the main towns, but the best beaches, viewpoints, and restaurants are often 10–15 minutes off the main road. Compare car rental prices here →
Rent a car for the Silver Coast
Compare prices across all major agencies. Book in advance in summer — availability gets tight from late June.
Compare prices on Getrentacar →The four destinations worth knowing
São Martinho do Porto ✦ Our pilot
A sheltered, near-circular bay of calm turquoise water. Mostly Dutch and British families. The best-kept secret on the coast.
Nazaré
Famous for the world's biggest waves (winter) and a clifftop village (Sítio) that keeps its soul even at peak season.
Óbidos
A perfectly preserved medieval walled town. Day-trip from the coast — the best Ginjinha cherry liqueur in the country, drunk from a chocolate cup.
Peniche
A working peninsula town with world-class surf breaks (Supertubos), a Napoleonic fortress, and lobster fresh off the boat.
When to go
June and September are the sweet spot. The water is warm enough, the crowds are manageable, and prices are 20–30% lower than July and August. The Silver Coast in September — with figs on the trees and the light turning golden — is one of Portugal's great travel secrets.
July–August is peak season. São Martinho and Nazaré fill up quickly. Book accommodation at least two months ahead, especially for waterfront properties.
October–May is off-season. Many restaurants close or reduce hours. Nazaré's giant waves (October–March) draw surfers and surf-watchers. Óbidos makes sense year-round.
Getting there from Lisbon
By car (recommended)
São Martinho do Porto is 90 minutes from Lisbon on the A8 motorway. Nazaré adds 15 minutes. The toll road costs around €5 each way. A car gives you access to the best beaches and restaurants — strongly recommended.
Car rental from Lisbon Airport
Getrentacar compares all major agencies at Lisbon Airport.
Search availability →By train
Trains from Lisbon Santa Apolónia to Caldas da Rainha (the nearest hub) take about 1h20. From there, local buses connect to São Martinho and the coast. It works, but limits your flexibility significantly.
Getting a SIM card
Portuguese coverage is good across the Silver Coast, including in smaller villages. If you're arriving from outside the EU, an eSIM saves the airport queue.
eSIM for Portugal
Airalo offers affordable data plans that activate before you land. No physical SIM needed.
Get an eSIM on Airalo →Where to stay
The Silver Coast has a wide range of accommodation — from modest guesthouses to private villas with Atlantic views. We recommend staying in one base and day-tripping, rather than moving around.
São Martinho do Porto is the best base for families and those who want calm water and a quieter pace. Nazaré suits those who want a livelier town with a clifftop to explore. Peniche is the surfer's choice.
Stay local
Each destination guide lists real, verified hotels alongside the restaurants and things to do. See our São Martinho do Porto guide for the full list.
What to eat
The Silver Coast is a seafood coast. The rule is simple: the closer to the water, the fresher the fish. Caldeirada de peixe (fish stew), grilled dourada (sea bream), and percebes (barnacles, when in season) are the things to order.
In Nazaré, the traditional women still dress in seven skirts — and the restaurants that cater to them (not to tourists) serve the best food in town. Check the destination guide before you trust a menu with photos outside the door.
Things to do
- São Martinho: Swimming in the bay, evening walks along the front, seafood dinner at a local restaurant (ask your host)
- Nazaré: Funicular to Sítio, watching the waves from Praia do Norte (especially October–March), the old fish-drying racks
- Óbidos: Walk the medieval walls, drink Ginjinha from a chocolate cup, visit during the Medieval Market (July) or Christmas Village (December)
- Peniche: Surf lessons at Supertubos, boat trip to Berlengas islands (reserve in advance in summer), the 16th-century fortress
Activities and day trips
Boat trips to Berlengas, surf lessons, guided tours — compare options and book ahead in summer.
Browse activities on GetYourGuide →The Beyond the Room guide to São Martinho
We're building a destination guide of the restaurants and spots that people who actually live here recommend — not a generic "best of" list scraped from reviews. Not a newsletter. Genuine, local recommendations.
That's the whole idea. See the São Martinho do Porto guide →