Obidos, a Silver Coast Gem

The pretty medieval town of Obidos is yet another delightful gem on the Silver Coast.

The huge protective walls that surround Obidos are crammed with tiny white washed houses that line the maize of narrow cobbled streets. The town is over looked by the magnificent Moorish castle, set on a fantastic elevated site with 360 degree views over the surrounding countryside.

Hundreds of years ago the Obidos Lagoon came right up to the town but in recent times the water has receded somewhat and now the fertile land is productively farmed instead.

It is possible to take a walk along the footpath that surrounds Obidos providing not only fantastic views but diversions such as a children’s play park and a herd of beautiful spotty deer wandering in a leisurely manner in their shady enclosure.

Obidos is situated about 10 minutes from Caldas da Rainha on the fabulous Silver Coast of Portugal.

By Stephanie Johnson

Delicious Seafood in Sao Martinho do Porto

Sao Martinho do Porto on the Silver Coast is a very pretty seaside town with a stunning shell shaped bay. The lively sea front is lined with restaurants, bars and cafes creating a real buzz with visitors and locals alike enjoying the food, the drinks and the beautiful Sao Martinho view.

Baia do Oeste (West Bay) is a seafood restaurant in one of the best locations in Sao Martinho do Porto, right on the seafront. This is the place to come for amazing seafood at very reasonable prices served by friendly, efficient staff. The bay view adds to the delightful experience making this popular restaurant one to which you will want to return over and over again.

Owning an apartment in Sao Martinho do Porto means you can take your time to research and compile a list of favourite Silver Coast restaurants such as Baia do Oeste, and with so many to choose from you will be quite spoilt for choice.

By Stephanie Johnson

Silver Coast Fishing

Take a stroll along any Silver Coast beach at the change of light, morning or evening, and you are sure to come across a fisherman or two.

Beach fishing is hugely popular in Portugal and the magical time of day when the light changes from day to night or vice versa is, apparently, when the fish are most eager to be caught.

It is common to see a little barbecue set up ready to cook the catch there and then - now you can’t get fresher than that!

Portugal has over 800 kilometres of stunning coastline and a strong maritime history, so it’s no surprise that fishing is traditionally a popular past time.

There are said to be up to 200 different species of fish ready and waiting to be caught in the waters off the coast of Portugal resulting in a reputation as one of the finest sea fishing locations in Europe.

The Obidos Lagoon and the bay at Sao Martinho do Porto are rich hunting grounds for clams which feature frequently in Portuguese cuisine. The locals spend hours at a time digging with a large scoop shaped fork to collect the delicious shell fish from under the sand.

The clams or amêijoas, are served in many of the local restaurants often with cubes of pork in a dish originating in the Alentejo region. Washed down with a glass or two of Portuguese wine, there can be no finer way to spend a Silver Coast evening.

By Stephanie Johnson

Party on the Silver Coast

I have mentioned before that the Portuguese love a party and our little village near Sao Martinho do Porto on the Silver Coast hosted a corker last weekend!

The village square was decorated with more lights and bunting than a Christmas tree and loud accordion music played in a jolly fashion from speakers attached to trees and flag poles reminiscent of a French art movie from the 1960’s.

There was cake and wine and little stalls selling homemade gifts and trinkets with familiar friendly faces everywhere we looked.

The annual ‘Festa’ in honour of a local saint takes place in most villages in Portugal with celebrations continuing for at least five days, starting and finishing each day with noisy fireworks to remind everyone to come and join in.

Larger towns such as Sao Martinho do Porto, Nazare and Obidos also hold their festas offering an ideal opportunity for locals and visitors to get together. It’s a great way to make new friends, with a drink and dance instantly breaking the ice and language barrier.

The Silver Coast, any excuse for a party!

By Stephanie Johnson

Groundhog Day

Today, February 2nd, is Groundhog Day. Celebrated mainly in America and Canada, tradition has it that on this day when a groundhog comes out of its hole after hibernation and sees its shadow it will pop back in for another six weeks as a sunny day indicates a late spring and winter is not yet over. If however, there is no shadow then spring is well on the way and it can come out of hibernation!

Well, that’s how they do it in America, here things seem to be a little different - we seem to have jumped straight into spring. Looking out of my office window I can see nothing but clear blue sky and sunshine, one of those fresh, bright and ‘great to be alive’ type days.

One of the things I love about the Silver Coast is the way the weather is seasonal but always significantly warmer than the UK. I’ve mentioned the quality of light here before and on days like today it’s outstanding.

Sorry to be smug. . .

Why not come and visit us here on the Silver Coast soon while the flights are reasonable and the beaches are empty.

A walk in the fresh air around the bay from Sao Martinho do Porto to Salir do Porto will take about 15 minutes and is fantastic exercise, making the coffee and cake you treat yourself to at the end very well deserved!

By Stephanie Johnson

The Berlengas Islands

About 7 miles out to sea from Peniche on the Silver Coast is a little group of islands called the Berlengas.

This small archipelago is another little Silver Coast secret that is well worth a visit on one of the boats that make the 45 minute trip from the port in Peniche during the summer months.

The unspoilt granite islands are a designated nature reserve and a delightful place to explore looking for wild flowers and sea birds. They are also an amazing place to dive with crystal clear waters and fabulous rock and coral formations teeming with marine life.

Although the islands are uninhabited it is possible to camp on Berlenga Grande the largest of the group, if you book in advance through the tourist office, but with no facilities it is only for the hardened camper!

You can see the Berlengas Islands from all the beaches along the Silver Coast including Nazare, Sao Martinho do Porto, Salir do Porto and you can reach the port in Peniche in just 20 minutes from Obidos.

By Stephanie Johnson

The Sailing School on the Obidos Lagoon

If you drive a couple of kilometres along the north shore of the Obidos Lagoon from Foz do Arelho you will find the Escola de Vela da Lagoa, a sailing school in a beautiful Silver Coast setting.

The little school offers equipment hire and lessons in all types of water sports, including sailing, canoeing, windsurfing and water skiing.

The calm waters of the lagoon ensure a safe environment for beginners. Book an individual lesson with an instructor, from the enthusiastic team of professionals, or if you prefer, take a course over several days.

If you have a little more experience then equipment is available for hire allowing you have your own adventures and discover the beauty of the Obidos Lagoon for yourself.

The little sailing school has a bar and café open to all offering drinks and snacks all day and is within a 15 minute drive from Sao Martinho do Porto, Salir do Porto and even less from Obidos.

By Stephanie Johnson