Portugal Untold

0239.60° N · 9.07° WCoast & Ocean · History & Heritage

Silver Coast DiscoveryWhere the Atlantic meets timeless Portugal

A private day down the Costa de Prata, from the fishing beach of Nazaré to the shell-shaped bay of São Martinho, the lagoon at Foz do Arelho and the walled village of Óbidos.

Private experience
Duration
About 7–8 hours · Full day
Group
Your group only, up to 6 guests
Destinations
Nazaré — São Martinho do Porto — Foz do Arelho — Óbidos
Plan this journey Itinerary

The story

Atlantic light, fishing villages and medieval walls

The Portuguese call this shore the Costa de Prata, the Silver Coast, and on a clear morning you understand why. The Atlantic throws back a pale, metallic light that softens everything it touches: the painted boats drawn up on Nazaré’s beach, the limestone cliffs above them, the long dunes running south.

This day reads the coast in sequence. You begin where the ocean is loudest, in a town that has lived from the sea for centuries, and travel south as the water grows quieter: first the sheltered bay of São Martinho do Porto, then the wide lagoon at Foz do Arelho, and finally Óbidos, a village of whitewashed houses held inside a ring of medieval walls.

Your driver knows these roads and the stories behind them, and shares them along the way. The pace is yours. Linger over grilled fish by the sea, take the long way round the walls, or trade a stop for more time wherever the light is best.

Highlights

Moments to look forward to

  1. A traditional painted fishing boat resting on the sand at Nazaré

    Nazaré’s fishing beach

    Painted boats, fish drying on wooden racks in the sun and women in layered skirts: a seafaring culture still visible on the sand.

  2. Nazaré bay and town from the hillside, with the beach curving south

    The view from Sítio

    From the clifftop quarter above Nazaré, the whole crescent of beach, town and ocean opens beneath your feet.

  3. Aerial view of the curved, shell-shaped bay of São Martinho do Porto with moored boats and the sandy beach

    A bay shaped like a shell

    At São Martinho do Porto two headlands almost close the bay, leaving water calm enough to wade on most days.

  4. Sandbanks of the Óbidos Lagoon meeting the Atlantic surf below the hillside village of Foz do Arelho

    Where the lagoon meets the sea

    At Foz do Arelho the still water of the Lagoa de Óbidos runs out to meet the Atlantic surf.

  5. Red bougainvillea against a sunlit whitewashed wall and window in Óbidos

    Óbidos inside its walls

    Blue-and-white tiles in the town gate, lanes of whitewash and bougainvillea, and a glass of ginja to finish.

Itinerary

The journey, stop by stop

A suggested plan. Order and timing are adapted to your group, the day and opening hours.

  1. Pick-up

    Pick-up

    We collect you at your accommodation or an agreed meeting point within the area we cover, at a time set when you book.

    Why it matters

    An early start gives you Nazaré’s beach in its clearest, quietest light, and usually brings you to Óbidos in the late afternoon, when many day-trippers have already left.

  2. WalkTime here: 60–75 min

    Nazaré · 39.60° N · 9.07° W

    A traditional painted fishing boat resting on the sand at Nazaré

    Walk the seafront and the narrow lanes behind it, where washing hangs between the houses and the smell of grilled sardines drifts out of doorways at lunchtime. On the sand, look for the wooden racks where fish is still split, salted and dried in the sun.

    Why it matters

    Nazaré has lived from the sea for centuries. Its fishermen launched their boats straight off the open beach and hauled them back up the sand, for generations by hand and with oxen, in the beach-seine fishing known as arte xávega. Women dried and sold the catch, and some still do. Their dress, with its many layered skirts, has become a symbol of the town; tradition often speaks of seven, and the explanations vary, from the days of the week to warmth against the Atlantic wind.

    Good to know: Nazaré is the natural place for lunch by the sea; your driver can suggest places to suit your taste. Meals are not included.

  3. ViewpointTime here: 30–45 min

    Sítio da Nazaré · 39.60° N · 9.08° W

    Nazaré bay and town from the hillside, with the beach curving south

    Rise to the clifftop quarter, by car or, if you like and it is running, on the funicular while your driver meets you at the top. Stand at the Miradouro do Suberco with the beach and town far below, then step into the tiny Ermida da Memória at the edge of the cliff.

    Why it matters

    Sítio is the devotional heart of Nazaré. According to legend, on a foggy morning in 1182 the knight Dom Fuas Roupinho was chasing a deer when his horse reached the edge of the cliff; he called on Our Lady of Nazaré and the horse stopped short. The little chapel of the Memória marks the spot, and the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré across the square has drawn pilgrims for centuries. The funicular linking beach and clifftop opened in 1889.

    Good to know: The square is level, but the viewpoint stands above a sheer drop; keep children close. The funicular has its own ticket.

  4. WalkTime here: 45–60 min

    São Martinho do Porto · 39.51° N · 9.14° W

    Aerial view of the curved, shell-shaped bay of São Martinho do Porto with moored boats and the sandy beach

    Stroll the promenade around the bay, or slip off your shoes and wade: on most days the water here is strikingly calm. If you have the energy, a short climb to the viewpoints on the headland shows the full shell shape from above.

    Why it matters

    Two headlands leave only a narrow opening to the ocean, so most of the Atlantic swell breaks before it can enter. The bay is what remains of a much larger inlet that silted up over the centuries, and today it is one of the gentlest places to swim on this coast, much loved by Portuguese families.

    Good to know: In summer, bring a towel if you might paddle or swim.

  5. ViewpointTime here: 30–45 min

    Foz do Arelho · 39.43° N · 9.23° W

    Sandbanks of the Óbidos Lagoon meeting the Atlantic surf below the hillside village of Foz do Arelho

    Pause where the lagoon pours into the Atlantic. On one side lies a broad sheet of still water dotted with small boats; on the other, the open ocean breaks on a long sand beach. Walk the shore for a while, or simply stand at the viewpoint and watch the two waters meet.

    Why it matters

    The Lagoa de Óbidos is the largest coastal lagoon system on the Portuguese coast, with almost seven square kilometres of water. Its mouth shifts with the tides and winter storms, and local fishermen and shellfish gatherers still work it. Its birdlife and fish have earned it recognition as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

    Good to know: It is often breezy here, even on warm days; a light layer helps.

  6. WalkTime here: 90–120 min

    Óbidos · 39.36° N · 9.16° W

    A cobbled lane of whitewashed houses with blue and ochre trim inside the walls of Óbidos

    Enter through the Porta da Vila, its passage lined with blue-and-white tiles, and wander lanes of whitewashed houses trimmed in blue and ochre. Look into the church of Santa Maria, taste ginja, the local sour-cherry liqueur, often served in a small chocolate cup, and, if you are sure-footed, walk a stretch of the walls.

    Why it matters

    Óbidos was taken from the Moors in 1148, in the reign of Afonso Henriques, Portugal’s first king. In the late thirteenth century King Dinis gave the town to his bride, Isabel of Aragon, and for centuries afterwards it was often part of the queens’ estates, which is why it is still called the Vila das Rainhas. In the church of Santa Maria the boy-king Afonso V married his cousin Isabel in 1441. Today Óbidos is also a UNESCO Creative City of Literature, with bookshops in some unexpected places.

    Good to know: The walls have no railings and uneven steps; walk them only if you are comfortable with heights. The lanes are cobbled and some are steep.

  7. Return

    Return

    We drive you back to your accommodation or another agreed drop-off point.

    Why it matters

    A quiet stretch of road to look through the day’s photographs, or to ask your driver about anything that caught your curiosity.

Route map of Silver Coast Discovery1Nazaré2Sítio da Nazaré3São Martinho do Porto4Foz do Arelho5Óbidos, the town of queens

The route

  1. 1 Nazaré
  2. 2 Sítio da Nazaré
  3. 3 São Martinho do Porto
  4. 4 Foz do Arelho
  5. 5 Óbidos, the town of queens

Road routes calculated from OpenStreetMap data. Your driver may choose a different road on the day.

Nazaré, morningThe tide draws back, the boats rest on the sand, and the whole bay turns to silver.

The coast, chapter by chapter

Southward with the Atlantic

Every stop on this route is a different conversation between land and ocean. Heading south, the sea grows quieter with each chapter.

  1. A traditional painted fishing boat resting on the sand at Nazaré

    01Nazaré39.60° N · 9.07° W

    The open ocean

    At Nazaré the Atlantic arrives with nothing in its way. Boats rest on the sand, the surf runs long and loud, and the whole town faces the water as it always has.

  2. Nazaré bay and town from the hillside, with the beach curving south

    02Sítio da Nazaré39.60° N · 9.08° W

    The high view

    A hundred metres or so above the beach, Sítio turns the ocean into a map: the curve of the bay, the harbour to the south, the horizon running on and on.

  3. Aerial view of the curved, shell-shaped bay of São Martinho do Porto with moored boats and the sandy beach

    03São Martinho do Porto39.51° N · 9.14° W

    The sheltered bay

    At São Martinho the coast draws a near-perfect circle. The Atlantic squeezes through a narrow mouth, loses its strength, and lies down as a calm, clear bay.

  4. Sandbanks of the Óbidos Lagoon meeting the Atlantic surf below the hillside village of Foz do Arelho

    04Foz do Arelho39.43° N · 9.23° W

    The lagoon

    At Foz do Arelho fresh and salt water meet. Still lagoon on one side, rolling surf on the other, and the sand bar between them reshaped by every winter.

Óbidos, late afternoonInland, behind medieval stone, the light turns from silver to gold.
Aerial view of the curved, shell-shaped bay of São Martinho do Porto with moored boats and the sandy beach
Sandbanks of the Óbidos Lagoon meeting the Atlantic surf below the hillside village of Foz do Arelho
Red bougainvillea against a sunlit whitewashed wall and window in Óbidos
A traditional painted fishing boat resting on the sand at Nazaré

Practical information

Before you go

Duration
A full day of about 7 to 8 hours, including pick-up and return. Indicative; confirmed when you book.
Pick-up
At your accommodation or an agreed meeting point within the area we cover on the Silver Coast; confirmed when you book. Pick-up from Lisbon is possible on request and makes the day longer.
Drop-off
At your accommodation or another agreed point. Ending the day in Óbidos, or elsewhere along the route, can be arranged.
Group size
Private: your group only, up to 6 guests (luggage permitting).
Walking
Easy to moderate: level seafront promenades, a few short slopes, and cobbled, sometimes steep lanes in Óbidos. Walking the Óbidos walls is optional.
What to wear
Layers and a windproof jacket, as the coast is often breezier and cooler than inland. Comfortable shoes with good grip for cobbles; swimwear in summer if you might swim at São Martinho.
Accessibility
The seafronts at Nazaré and São Martinho are mostly level. Sítio and Óbidos involve cobbles, slopes and steps, and the Óbidos walls have no railings. If anyone in your group has limited mobility, tell us in your request and we will shape the day around it.
Season
All year. Summer brings long evenings and beach life; winter brings dramatic seas and quieter villages. Some cafés in the smaller places close or shorten their hours out of season.

Included

  • Private vehicle and local driver for the full day
  • Pick-up and drop-off at agreed points within the area we cover
  • Local knowledge and context shared along the way
  • A route you can adjust on the day, time permitting

Not included

  • Meals and drinks
  • Funicular tickets in Nazaré
  • Entrance tickets, if you choose to visit paid sites
  • Guided visits inside monuments (your driver is not a certified tourist guide)

Price

One price for your whole group

The price covers the whole tour — a private vehicle and driver for your group alone, never seats on a shared excursion. It depends only on how many of you travel.

Your private experience

Guests

€290 total

€145 per person

Private tour · Just your group

Request your private tour Customize this journey

Open this route in the journey builder and make it yours.

Entrance tickets, meals and drinks are paid separately unless your proposal says otherwise.

Sending a request is free and is not a booking.

Questions

About this journey

Will we have time for lunch?

Yes. Most guests stop for lunch in Nazaré or São Martinho do Porto, where fresh fish is the obvious choice, though Óbidos works too. Your driver can suggest places to suit your taste and budget. Meals are paid directly by you.

Can we swim along the way?

In summer, São Martinho’s sheltered bay is one of the gentlest places to swim on this coast; tell us in advance and we will build in the time. Nazaré’s main beach and the ocean side of Foz do Arelho can have strong surf and currents, so always follow the beach flags.

Will we see the giant waves of Nazaré?

This route is not built around them. The giant waves appear mainly in winter, depend entirely on ocean conditions and cannot be predicted far ahead or guaranteed. If a big swell happens to coincide with your date, we can try to add a stop above Praia do Norte. For a day devoted to them, see Giants of Nazaré.

Is this a good day for families?

Very much so. Beaches, boats, a castle village and short walks keep most ages interested. Tell us the ages of any children when you request, and mention any car-seat needs so we can tell you what we can arrange.

Can we change the order, or add Alcobaça?

The route is a starting point, not a script. Stops can be reordered or shortened. The Monastery of Alcobaça is close to Nazaré and can be added, but it makes for a longer day; we will suggest what fits when you request.

Does the driver guide us inside the monuments?

Your driver shares local history and context along the way but is not a certified tourist guide, so visits inside churches and monuments are at your own pace. Where official guided visits exist, we can point you to them.

How is the price calculated?

The price is per vehicle, not per person, and depends on your date, pick-up point and any changes to the route. Send us a request and we will reply with a quote.

Pair it with

  • Private4–5 hHalf day

    Romantic Silver Coast Escape

    Coastal sunsets, quiet moments and celebrations

    A shorter afternoon on the same shore, timed to end with the sun going down over the Atlantic from Sítio.

    1. São Martinho do Porto
    2. Nazaré

    From €250 / private group Up to 6 guests.

  • Private3–4 hHalf day

    Giants of Nazaré

    Atlantic power, surf history and the canyon beneath

    Visiting in winter? A half-day devoted to the giant waves of Praia do Norte and the undersea canyon that creates them.

    1. Nazaré

    From €170 / private group Up to 6 guests.

  • Private7–8 hFull day

    Medieval Portugal

    Castles, queens and the legends of the Reconquest

    Takes the Óbidos chapter further inland, to the castles of Leiria and Porto de Mós and the abbey of Alcobaça.

    1. Óbidos
    2. Alcobaça
    3. Leiria
    4. Porto de Mós

    From €310 / private group Up to 6 guests.

Where the Atlantic meets timeless Portugal

Plan this journey Customize this journey

Priced per vehicle, not per person — only your group travels.