The Silver Coast of Portugal, also known as the Costa de Prata is a region in Portugal that stretches from Lisbon to Figueira da Foz, though on some searches, the area can be defined as far north as Porto. It is a region where mass tourism has not taken hold, but is developing rapidly as one of the areas of Portugal where growth is at it’s highest.
Pristine beaches, UNESCO heritage sites, golf, vineyards and gastronomy are just a few of the reasons to visit. If you are looking for a luxury holiday in Portugal away from the crowds, then the Silver Coast is for you and here are our top 5 reasons why
Golf
Whilst the Algarve has been well known for many years as the place to be for golfers, the Silver Coast is looking to take on this title, from beginners to professionals. There are a number of top courses, each with the back drop of the Atlantic Ocean and taking nature in to account with lakes, forests, sand dunes and spectacular scenery.
The 18-hole golf course, designed by the renowned American golf architect Cabell B. Robinson at Praia D’El Rey, was one of the first courses to open and has been in the top 100 golf courses regularly.
Severiano Ballesteros was involved in the design of the golf course at the Royal Óbidos Spa & Golf Resort, where he took advantage of the undulating terrain to produce a 6,400 metre course that incorporates the natural surroundings and amazing sunsets.
There are other courses and each are within easy distance of each other, meaning on a golfing break you can take advantage of different courses, and of course, the wonderful food and wine at the clubhouses.
Which ever course you choose you will be able to enjoy year round, top class golf with less crowds and 5-star accommodation, whether you choose the the royal Óbidos spa and golf resort Hotel or the 5-star beach front ocean view apartments. The silver Coast is the new name in luxury golf resorts.
Planet Golf lists 7 golf courses to visit: Oitavos Dunes, Praia d’El Rey, West Cliffs, Bom Sucesso Golf, Penha Longa Golf and Resort, Royal Obidos Spa and Golf Resort and Quinta da Marinha.
Beaches
Are you are looking for a glorious stretch of beach, with soft white sand and clear blue sea, or maybe you prefer the rugged wildness of a coastline with cliffs and rock formations? Or are you the type of person that prefers small, semi deserted coves where you can really lose yourself and get away from the crowds, if so, then the Silver Coast is ideal.
The coastline stretches for over 100 kms, from Lisbon to past Figueira da Foz and can provide for any type of requirement.
Far less crowded and developed than its more famous neighbour the Algarve, the Silver Coast has provided holidays to the Portuguese for many years, but now it is becoming more popular with international travellers looking for beauty without endless souvenir shops and bars selling cheap beer.
The choice is almost endless from Cascais, Lisbon where you can enjoy lazing by the ocean and wandering to the wonderful cafes, that will serve a delicious fresh seafood extravaganza with wonderful wines through to Nazaré,a traditional fishing village that still catches and dries sardines and other fish on the beach. You can see the old women of the town selling them in their traditional clothes.
In Nazaré take the funicular from the beach up to Sitio where you can have the most wonderful panoramic views of the area.
Or just drive along the coastline, where you can find semi deserted beaches and coves to relax and soak up the sun without being disturbed.
If you would prefer more activity, some of the best surfing beaches are on the silver Coast, with the Big Wave Tour being held in Nazaré, which currently holds the world record for the largest wave ever surfed. Peniche is another famous surfing destination.
Sao Martinho do Porto is an excellent beach for child-friendly swimming, sailing, (kite) surfing, canoeing, etc. and the nautical club can offer lessons and equipment hire.
If diving is your chosen water sport, the Berlengas archipelago, a short boat ride from Peniche has some perfect diving spots with hidden caves. Or maybe you would like to go deep sea, big game or even shark fishing, all available from Cascais.
Whatever you are looking for from a beach holiday, the Silver Coast has it all.
Architecture and monuments
The Silver Coast of Portugal has no shortage of historical monuments, castles and palaces to visit. If you are looking for a break that can offer culture along with sunshine and relaxation this is the place to be.
All along this coast line there are impressive palaces, castles and monuments, some of which are famous worldwide such as Sintra, where nature mixes perfectly with the palaces and monuments, to make this one of the most impressive areas in Portugal, so much so the area, not just one building, was granted UNESCO world heritage status.
Start with a visit to the historic town centre where you can enjoy regional or international cuisine, then visit one of the many palaces such as Pena Palace, famous for its bright colours or Quinta da Regaleira.
The Quinta da Regaleira, is one of the most quirky palaces you can visit, with many follies’ in the gardens and far reaching views. Designed and built Between 1898 and 1913 by Italian architect Luigi Manini, the building and gardens are more of a work of art than a traditional palace.
If you are in the Lisbon area a trip to Mafra to visit the impressive Palácio Nacional de Mafra is highly recommended.
A little further along the coast from Lisbon is one of the most famous cities, Óbidos, close to the golf and the beaches, one of the most well preserved and picturesque, medieval walled towns in Portugal. The streets are narrow and cobbled with an array of shops, restaurants and white washed houses.
The castle is intact and there is the opportunity to book your stay there, in the Pousada do Castelo de Óbidos, where you can enjoy regional gastronomy served in an atmosphere of grandeur, with breath-taking views. There are not many castles that provide accommodation to this standard.
Drive a little further and you will find Alcobaça with the UNESCO world heritage site of the Monastery of Alcobaça, the monastery is one of the most magnificent Gothic monuments in the country and is home to the tombs of Pedro and Inés, Portugal’s famous and tragic lovers. This town has many fine buildings with a large square to sit and marvel at the monastery whilst enjoying a light lunch.
This is just a small selection of the stunning cultural and historical monuments, your trip to the Silver Coast will uncover many more.
Food and drink
Eating on the Silver Coast can be a culinary masterpiece, with freshly caught fish and seafood served directly to your plate or indulge in some of the traditional meat dishes, although vegetarian and vegan options are not totally mainstream (yet), many restaurants will have a dish available or be willing to assist.
The choice of restaurants on the Silver Coast is extensive, from restaurants in castles, small intimate eateries tucked away from the crowds or restaurants with far reaching ocean views, there is something to please every taste.
But if you are looking for something even more luxurious there are no less than 7 Michelin starred restaurants in Lisbon and Cascais such as Eleven, which is set high on a hill in Parque Eduardo VII. A sophisticated and contemporary restaurant that features beautiful views of Lisbon.
However, there are a couple of must eat foods on any visit and these are the Octopus (polvo) which can come in a variety of styles, a light lunch of octopus salad or as an evening meal, grilled and sautéed in olive oil.
Many dishes in Portugal use an extensive amount of olive oil and there is a simple reason for this, the olive oil in Portugal is one of the best in the world.
The other food that you must try and it is simply the olive oil itself, the taste is sublime, whether you are eating a meal cooked in the oil or just enjoying petiscos with a glass of wine.
The olives are a speciality of each restaurant and will come with a great variety of flavourings, though just enjoying the locally produced olives in their own oil with a chunk of crusty bread is one of the biggest treats with a nice local wine.
Which brings us nicely on to the wine and speciality drinks in Portugal. No trip to the Silver Coast is complete without sampling the Ginja (a speciality of Óbidos, Lisbon and Alcobaça). This is a sour cherry liqueur, where the Ginja berries are infused in alcohol and then sugar added. The drink can be served with or with out the cherries and is often served in a small dark or white chocolate cup.
Portugal may not be the top of your list for vineyards, but there are many excellent wines in Portugal with many being produced on the Silver Coast.
As the Silver Coast is on the Atlantic, with many micro climates, the weather has helped to produce unique flavours of the grapes. Bringing with it some very special wines, but these are not produced in great amounts, such as the high quality and popular Bucelas and the Colares
Accommodation
No holiday is complete unless you have the perfect accommodation and on the Silver Coast, you will not be short of choice. But what sort of accommodation will suit you best? This will depend on your personal choice and circumstances, are you taking a trip alone, with a family or as a couple? As the Silver Coast rises in popularity, so does the choice of accommodation.
There is no shortage of 5 star hotels in the Lisbon area, but now you can move further afield and find 5-star luxury all along the Silver Coast with spa hotels, golf resorts, ocean view hotels or even manor houses and castles.
But often a great choice will be a private villa, if you are not a fan of catering for your self, many will offer full maid service, chef service and spa facilities. If you are looking for activities, many villas will also provide facilities for activities such as guided tours, yoga or water sports activities.
If you prefer a mixture, then there are boutique apartments/hotels available, where you can have a private apartment, in a very small complex, but with added benefit of meals provided (if chosen) and spa facilities available on site. But with private areas where you can relax away from other residents.
Jenny Lovett is the Founder of Portugalholidays4u.com. Portugalholidays4u.com is a website showcasing all that Portugal has to offer with an extensive collection of villas, apartments and holiday accommodation.If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
Jenny Lovett is the founder of Portugalholidays4u.com, a holiday advertising website in Portugal. After years of travelling Europe and living in the UK, France and Spain, she made her home in Portugal and is currently renovating an old manor house with her husband in a small rural village. She developed Portugalholidays4u.com through her love of Portugal, dedicated to showcasing the best that Portugal has to offer for everybody, from luxury holidays to budget bed and breakfasts and everything in between. The aim is to provide a dedicated hub for all holiday makers and travellers planning on visiting Portugal.
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23 Comments
I visited the Silver Coast, though I didn’t know that it was called that then, a couple of years ago and discovered that it was a beautiful area, probably a bit greener than I had expected. What surprised me most was how quiet it was, there were hardly any other cars on the road. It is something of an undiscovered gem.
Hi Dave, yes it is certainly an undiscovered gem, there are so many beautiful areas to visit. The Portuguese have been holidaying here for years, but now the beauty is becoming more well known and even in summer you can see lush green and fantastic forests. It is an easy drive from Lisbon airport as the roads are so clear, meaning the start to any break is not stressful
That’s what struck me when I first started reading this, how it seemed to be somewhat undiscovered by tourists. I’m a big beach fan so 100 km of coastline seems ideal. And the octopus in olive oil had my mouth watering. I read recently about the importance of cooking with good olive oil for a healthy heart. So that’s a nice touch when considering their cuisine for when you get to visit, and I hope to in the near future!
The food is certainly delicious Jake, we hope you get to visit soon and try some
There’s a lot more to Portugal than just the Algarve and Lisbon, though Porto seems to be coming up on the rails as a trendy second city. I’m glad that people are beginning to appreciate that there is much more to this wonderful country. Once you get away from the well-trodden tourist trails you can virtually have the place to yourself. Though the people are not as skilled at speaking English as they are on the Algarve but they are very willing to communicate as well as they. If you are heading to the Silver Coast it is probably wise to learn some key Portuguese phrases and take a phrase book.
Learning a few key phrases is great advice, we have found that the Portuguese are very friendly on the Silver Coast, but if you try any level of speaking Portuguese it is always very well received and appreciated
I’ve always said Portuguese cuisine is underrated. When you’ve got a lengthy Atlantic coastline you are going to benefit from top quality sea food and that will inspire chefs. It’s no surprise that the number of Michelin starred restaurants is increasing. I also got think that Portuguese restaurants provide excellent value for money compared to many other European countries.
We have found the food to excellent from the very small, rural family run restaurants through to the excellent restaurants in Lisbon. Though our favourite has to be the sea front restaurants serving fresh caught seafood with fantastic views
Golf without the crowds appeals to me. I was a member of a very popular club but I’ve let my membership drop. Golfers were teeing off every 8 minutes whatever the time of day. You own need a few slow four balls and it all gets snarled up. Usually it takes four hours to play a round. One weekend I was stuck behind all the Saturday morning golfers and it took 4 hours and 45 minutes. Life’s too short to play at that pace. The idea of golf free of the crowds is very attractive to me.
What a shame you had to let your membership drop, Golf should be enjoyable and as you can see from the photo of the Royal Obidos golf course, here on the Silver Coast you can go back to enjoying your game with amazing views as well. Hope you get to come and visit
Dear Mr. Gary Childerly,
Greetings from Royal Óbidos.
I do trust that you would love to play in the Silver Coast Golf Courses. If you considerer to stay in our Hotel and play in our golf course (and in the golf courses in the área) we will gladly make your reservation.
Fell free to contact us.
Looking forward to hear from you.
With our best regards
Someone I used to work with years ago always went every year on holiday with her husband too somewhere in Portugal. I imagine they went to the Costa de Prata. Considering how many year they had been visiting, for a couple of weeks at a time, I’d be surprised if there was an inch of the place they hadn’t been! I can see why they loved it so much. The beaches on the Silver Coast sound a little more authentic and serene than some more heavily populated with tourists and, as you say, the endless stream of tourist shops and cheap beer establishments nearby.
Personally, I’d love to go on a sightseeing adventure for the architecture and the likes of the Monastery of Alcobaça. I think it would make for a fascinating visit, and it’s good to know there are lots of choices for villas, too. I’ve never used once on holiday but I do like the idea of it rather than a hotel for a change of atmosphere.
Hi Kathy, The Silver Coast really is beautiful and the beaches are amazing, you can easily find somewhere semi deserted to truly relax and enjoy your holiday and the buildings and monuments are amazing, one of our favourites is the town of Tomar, definitely another to add to your list.
If you do visit we really recommend a villa, as this gives you so much more freedom and adds to the relaxation
I’ve always enjoyed my holidays to Portugal, staying at Cascades on the Lisbon coast or down on the Algarve. Probably it’s time to travel a bit further now. I’ve always loved the food and found the people very helpful. It makes sense to explore the Silver Coast next.
The Silver Coast is a perfect holiday, we have found the people so friendly and welcoming and the food is delicious, with so many eateries providing traditional food.
Just catching up on my A Luxury Travel Blog reading, every week I need my fix of luxury. I always like to slot in a week’s holiday in October to grab a last bit of warmth. Portugal’s Silver Coast looks as if it would do the job. I haven’t visited Portugal for several years but last time I travelled there was for a late October stay in Porto. I remember a river cruise in blazing sunshine and sampling a succession of great ports. Looking forward to returning to one of my favourite holiday destinations soon.
Hi Karen, October is a great time to visit, the weather is still warm and there are less crowds, so you can really get to enjoy the area.
Hope you enjoy your holiday
Much like Spain, Portugal also has a lot of good spots to visit as well as amazing structures and architecture. There are also a lot of beautiful sceneries such as white sand beaches, views of houses that are very much alike, and the stunning view of the Atlantic ocean. The country also has exquisite luxury lodges where the accommodations are really nice and friendly. The service and the people are also spot-on and welcoming. There are also private resorts if you want to enjoy your stay alone and away from the noisy but lively crowd of the people of Portugal. Not to forget the scrumptious food that Portugal has to offer, very exotic and a really unique cuisine which has a burst of different spices and flavors.
You have described Portugal perfectly, and as you say the food is unique and delicious
Seems to me that this stretch of coastline has got so much going for it and it’s surprising that it’s not better known. Talk to even well-travelled people and many of them wouldn’t know that Portugal’s got a “Silver Coast.” Obviously, the Algarve has been marketed superbly but there’s no real reason why the Atlantic Coast shouldn’t be so popular. Personally, in the heat of summer, I’d much prefer the cooling breezes coming in off of the Atlantic. Although there are some great air-conditioned luxury hotels along the Algarve I still find the heat oppressive at the height of summer.
The Silver Coast is well known to the Portuguese, it is only just really hitting the international market. But already the golf courses are winning awards, so it won’t be long before this area is just as famous, especially as it is so easily accessible from Lisbon airport
Now that Portugal has declared that they will welcome UK visitors (unlike Spain!), I am seriously considering going there this Summer or Autumn, and I have been looking at the Costa de Prata. When would you say is the best time of year to visit?
I can’t understand why I hadn’t heard of the Silver Coast until very, very recently which is why I thought that I’d look it up and do some research on the area. The Silver Coast really is an undiscovered gem, away from the tourist crowds. It’s definitely worth a visit.
Severiano Ballesteros was involved in the design of the golf course at the Royal Óbidos Spa & Golf Resort, where he took advantage of the undulating terrain to produce a 6,400 metre course that incorporates the natural surroundings and amazing sunsets.
There are other courses and each are within easy distance of each other, meaning on a golfing break you can take advantage of different courses, and of course, the wonderful food and wine at the clubhouses.
Which ever course you choose you will be able to enjoy year round, top class golf with less crowds and 5-star accommodation, whether you choose the the royal Óbidos spa and golf resort Hotel or the 5-star beach front ocean view apartments. The silver Coast is the new name in luxury golf resorts.
Planet Golf lists 7 golf courses to visit: Oitavos Dunes, Praia d’El Rey, West Cliffs, Bom Sucesso Golf, Penha Longa Golf and Resort, Royal Obidos Spa and Golf Resort and Quinta da Marinha.
Beaches
Are you are looking for a glorious stretch of beach, with soft white sand and clear blue sea, or maybe you prefer the rugged wildness of a coastline with cliffs and rock formations? Or are you the type of person that prefers small, semi deserted coves where you can really lose yourself and get away from the crowds, if so, then the Silver Coast is ideal.
The coastline stretches for over 100 kms, from Lisbon to past Figueira da Foz and can provide for any type of requirement.
Far less crowded and developed than its more famous neighbour the Algarve, the Silver Coast has provided holidays to the Portuguese for many years, but now it is becoming more popular with international travellers looking for beauty without endless souvenir shops and bars selling cheap beer.
The choice is almost endless from Cascais, Lisbon where you can enjoy lazing by the ocean and wandering to the wonderful cafes, that will serve a delicious fresh seafood extravaganza with wonderful wines through to Nazaré,a traditional fishing village that still catches and dries sardines and other fish on the beach. You can see the old women of the town selling them in their traditional clothes.
Severiano Ballesteros was involved in the design of the golf course at the Royal Óbidos Spa & Golf Resort, where he took advantage of the undulating terrain to produce a 6,400 metre course that incorporates the natural surroundings and amazing sunsets.
There are other courses and each are within easy distance of each other, meaning on a golfing break you can take advantage of different courses, and of course, the wonderful food and wine at the clubhouses.
Which ever course you choose you will be able to enjoy year round, top class golf with less crowds and 5-star accommodation, whether you choose the the royal Óbidos spa and golf resort Hotel or the 5-star beach front ocean view apartments. The silver Coast is the new name in luxury golf resorts.
Planet Golf lists 7 golf courses to visit: Oitavos Dunes, Praia d’El Rey, West Cliffs, Bom Sucesso Golf, Penha Longa Golf and Resort, Royal Obidos Spa and Golf Resort and Quinta da Marinha.
Beaches
Are you are looking for a glorious stretch of beach, with soft white sand and clear blue sea, or maybe you prefer the rugged wildness of a coastline with cliffs and rock formations? Or are you the type of person that prefers small, semi deserted coves where you can really lose yourself and get away from the crowds, if so, then the Silver Coast is ideal.
The coastline stretches for over 100 kms, from Lisbon to past Figueira da Foz and can provide for any type of requirement.
Far less crowded and developed than its more famous neighbour the Algarve, the Silver Coast has provided holidays to the Portuguese for many years, but now it is becoming more popular with international travellers looking for beauty without endless souvenir shops and bars selling cheap beer.
The choice is almost endless from Cascais, Lisbon where you can enjoy lazing by the ocean and wandering to the wonderful cafes, that will serve a delicious fresh seafood extravaganza with wonderful wines through to Nazaré,a traditional fishing village that still catches and dries sardines and other fish on the beach. You can see the old women of the town selling them in their traditional clothes.
In Nazaré take the funicular from the beach up to Sitio where you can have the most wonderful panoramic views of the area.
Or just drive along the coastline, where you can find semi deserted beaches and coves to relax and soak up the sun without being disturbed.
If you would prefer more activity, some of the best surfing beaches are on the silver Coast, with the Big Wave Tour being held in Nazaré, which currently holds the world record for the largest wave ever surfed. Peniche is another famous surfing destination.
Sao Martinho do Porto is an excellent beach for child-friendly swimming, sailing, (kite) surfing, canoeing, etc. and the nautical club can offer lessons and equipment hire.
If diving is your chosen water sport, the Berlengas archipelago, a short boat ride from Peniche has some perfect diving spots with hidden caves. Or maybe you would like to go deep sea, big game or even shark fishing, all available from Cascais.
Whatever you are looking for from a beach holiday, the Silver Coast has it all.
Architecture and monuments
The Silver Coast of Portugal has no shortage of historical monuments, castles and palaces to visit. If you are looking for a break that can offer culture along with sunshine and relaxation this is the place to be.
All along this coast line there are impressive palaces, castles and monuments, some of which are famous worldwide such as Sintra, where nature mixes perfectly with the palaces and monuments, to make this one of the most impressive areas in Portugal, so much so the area, not just one building, was granted UNESCO world heritage status.
Start with a visit to the historic town centre where you can enjoy regional or international cuisine, then visit one of the many palaces such as Pena Palace, famous for its bright colours or Quinta da Regaleira.
The Quinta da Regaleira, is one of the most quirky palaces you can visit, with many follies’ in the gardens and far reaching views. Designed and built Between 1898 and 1913 by Italian architect Luigi Manini, the building and gardens are more of a work of art than a traditional palace.
If you are in the Lisbon area a trip to Mafra to visit the impressive Palácio Nacional de Mafra is highly recommended.
A little further along the coast from Lisbon is one of the most famous cities, Óbidos, close to the golf and the beaches, one of the most well preserved and picturesque, medieval walled towns in Portugal. The streets are narrow and cobbled with an array of shops, restaurants and white washed houses.
The castle is intact and there is the opportunity to book your stay there, in the Pousada do Castelo de Óbidos, where you can enjoy regional gastronomy served in an atmosphere of grandeur, with breath-taking views. There are not many castles that provide accommodation to this standard.
Drive a little further and you will find Alcobaça with the UNESCO world heritage site of the Monastery of Alcobaça, the monastery is one of the most magnificent Gothic monuments in the country and is home to the tombs of Pedro and Inés, Portugal’s famous and tragic lovers. This town has many fine buildings with a large square to sit and marvel at the monastery whilst enjoying a light lunch.
This is just a small selection of the stunning cultural and historical monuments, your trip to the Silver Coast will uncover many more.
Food and drink
Eating on the Silver Coast can be a culinary masterpiece, with freshly caught fish and seafood served directly to your plate or indulge in some of the traditional meat dishes, although vegetarian and vegan options are not totally mainstream (yet), many restaurants will have a dish available or be willing to assist.
The choice of restaurants on the Silver Coast is extensive, from restaurants in castles, small intimate eateries tucked away from the crowds or restaurants with far reaching ocean views, there is something to please every taste.
But if you are looking for something even more luxurious there are no less than 7 Michelin starred restaurants in Lisbon and Cascais such as Eleven, which is set high on a hill in Parque Eduardo VII. A sophisticated and contemporary restaurant that features beautiful views of Lisbon.
However, there are a couple of must eat foods on any visit and these are the Octopus (polvo) which can come in a variety of styles, a light lunch of octopus salad or as an evening meal, grilled and sautéed in olive oil.
Many dishes in Portugal use an extensive amount of olive oil and there is a simple reason for this, the olive oil in Portugal is one of the best in the world.
The other food that you must try and it is simply the olive oil itself, the taste is sublime, whether you are eating a meal cooked in the oil or just enjoying petiscos with a glass of wine.
The olives are a speciality of each restaurant and will come with a great variety of flavourings, though just enjoying the locally produced olives in their own oil with a chunk of crusty bread is one of the biggest treats with a nice local wine.
Which brings us nicely on to the wine and speciality drinks in Portugal. No trip to the Silver Coast is complete without sampling the Ginja (a speciality of Óbidos, Lisbon and Alcobaça). This is a sour cherry liqueur, where the Ginja berries are infused in alcohol and then sugar added. The drink can be served with or with out the cherries and is often served in a small dark or white chocolate cup.
Portugal may not be the top of your list for vineyards, but there are many excellent wines in Portugal with many being produced on the Silver Coast.
As the Silver Coast is on the Atlantic, with many micro climates, the weather has helped to produce unique flavours of the grapes. Bringing with it some very special wines, but these are not produced in great amounts, such as the high quality and popular Bucelas and the Colares
Accommodation
No holiday is complete unless you have the perfect accommodation and on the Silver Coast, you will not be short of choice. But what sort of accommodation will suit you best? This will depend on your personal choice and circumstances, are you taking a trip alone, with a family or as a couple? As the Silver Coast rises in popularity, so does the choice of accommodation.
There is no shortage of 5 star hotels in the Lisbon area, but now you can move further afield and find 5-star luxury all along the Silver Coast with spa hotels, golf resorts, ocean view hotels or even manor houses and castles.
But often a great choice will be a private villa, if you are not a fan of catering for your self, many will offer full maid service, chef service and spa facilities. If you are looking for activities, many villas will also provide facilities for activities such as guided tours, yoga or water sports activities.
If you prefer a mixture, then there are boutique apartments/hotels available, where you can have a private apartment, in a very small complex, but with added benefit of meals provided (if chosen) and spa facilities available on site. But with private areas where you can relax away from other residents.
Jenny Lovett is the Founder of Portugalholidays4u.com. Portugalholidays4u.com is a website showcasing all that Portugal has to offer with an extensive collection of villas, apartments and holiday accommodation.
If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
I visited the Silver Coast, though I didn’t know that it was called that then, a couple of years ago and discovered that it was a beautiful area, probably a bit greener than I had expected. What surprised me most was how quiet it was, there were hardly any other cars on the road. It is something of an undiscovered gem.
Hi Dave, yes it is certainly an undiscovered gem, there are so many beautiful areas to visit. The Portuguese have been holidaying here for years, but now the beauty is becoming more well known and even in summer you can see lush green and fantastic forests. It is an easy drive from Lisbon airport as the roads are so clear, meaning the start to any break is not stressful
That’s what struck me when I first started reading this, how it seemed to be somewhat undiscovered by tourists. I’m a big beach fan so 100 km of coastline seems ideal. And the octopus in olive oil had my mouth watering. I read recently about the importance of cooking with good olive oil for a healthy heart. So that’s a nice touch when considering their cuisine for when you get to visit, and I hope to in the near future!
The food is certainly delicious Jake, we hope you get to visit soon and try some
There’s a lot more to Portugal than just the Algarve and Lisbon, though Porto seems to be coming up on the rails as a trendy second city. I’m glad that people are beginning to appreciate that there is much more to this wonderful country. Once you get away from the well-trodden tourist trails you can virtually have the place to yourself. Though the people are not as skilled at speaking English as they are on the Algarve but they are very willing to communicate as well as they. If you are heading to the Silver Coast it is probably wise to learn some key Portuguese phrases and take a phrase book.
Learning a few key phrases is great advice, we have found that the Portuguese are very friendly on the Silver Coast, but if you try any level of speaking Portuguese it is always very well received and appreciated
I’ve always said Portuguese cuisine is underrated. When you’ve got a lengthy Atlantic coastline you are going to benefit from top quality sea food and that will inspire chefs. It’s no surprise that the number of Michelin starred restaurants is increasing. I also got think that Portuguese restaurants provide excellent value for money compared to many other European countries.
We have found the food to excellent from the very small, rural family run restaurants through to the excellent restaurants in Lisbon. Though our favourite has to be the sea front restaurants serving fresh caught seafood with fantastic views
Golf without the crowds appeals to me. I was a member of a very popular club but I’ve let my membership drop. Golfers were teeing off every 8 minutes whatever the time of day. You own need a few slow four balls and it all gets snarled up. Usually it takes four hours to play a round. One weekend I was stuck behind all the Saturday morning golfers and it took 4 hours and 45 minutes. Life’s too short to play at that pace. The idea of golf free of the crowds is very attractive to me.
What a shame you had to let your membership drop, Golf should be enjoyable and as you can see from the photo of the Royal Obidos golf course, here on the Silver Coast you can go back to enjoying your game with amazing views as well. Hope you get to come and visit
Dear Mr. Gary Childerly,
Greetings from Royal Óbidos.
I do trust that you would love to play in the Silver Coast Golf Courses. If you considerer to stay in our Hotel and play in our golf course (and in the golf courses in the área) we will gladly make your reservation.
Fell free to contact us.
Looking forward to hear from you.
With our best regards
Someone I used to work with years ago always went every year on holiday with her husband too somewhere in Portugal. I imagine they went to the Costa de Prata. Considering how many year they had been visiting, for a couple of weeks at a time, I’d be surprised if there was an inch of the place they hadn’t been! I can see why they loved it so much. The beaches on the Silver Coast sound a little more authentic and serene than some more heavily populated with tourists and, as you say, the endless stream of tourist shops and cheap beer establishments nearby.
Personally, I’d love to go on a sightseeing adventure for the architecture and the likes of the Monastery of Alcobaça. I think it would make for a fascinating visit, and it’s good to know there are lots of choices for villas, too. I’ve never used once on holiday but I do like the idea of it rather than a hotel for a change of atmosphere.
Hi Kathy, The Silver Coast really is beautiful and the beaches are amazing, you can easily find somewhere semi deserted to truly relax and enjoy your holiday and the buildings and monuments are amazing, one of our favourites is the town of Tomar, definitely another to add to your list.
If you do visit we really recommend a villa, as this gives you so much more freedom and adds to the relaxation
I’ve always enjoyed my holidays to Portugal, staying at Cascades on the Lisbon coast or down on the Algarve. Probably it’s time to travel a bit further now. I’ve always loved the food and found the people very helpful. It makes sense to explore the Silver Coast next.
The Silver Coast is a perfect holiday, we have found the people so friendly and welcoming and the food is delicious, with so many eateries providing traditional food.
Just catching up on my A Luxury Travel Blog reading, every week I need my fix of luxury. I always like to slot in a week’s holiday in October to grab a last bit of warmth. Portugal’s Silver Coast looks as if it would do the job. I haven’t visited Portugal for several years but last time I travelled there was for a late October stay in Porto. I remember a river cruise in blazing sunshine and sampling a succession of great ports. Looking forward to returning to one of my favourite holiday destinations soon.
Hi Karen, October is a great time to visit, the weather is still warm and there are less crowds, so you can really get to enjoy the area.
Hope you enjoy your holiday
Much like Spain, Portugal also has a lot of good spots to visit as well as amazing structures and architecture. There are also a lot of beautiful sceneries such as white sand beaches, views of houses that are very much alike, and the stunning view of the Atlantic ocean. The country also has exquisite luxury lodges where the accommodations are really nice and friendly. The service and the people are also spot-on and welcoming. There are also private resorts if you want to enjoy your stay alone and away from the noisy but lively crowd of the people of Portugal. Not to forget the scrumptious food that Portugal has to offer, very exotic and a really unique cuisine which has a burst of different spices and flavors.
You have described Portugal perfectly, and as you say the food is unique and delicious
Seems to me that this stretch of coastline has got so much going for it and it’s surprising that it’s not better known. Talk to even well-travelled people and many of them wouldn’t know that Portugal’s got a “Silver Coast.” Obviously, the Algarve has been marketed superbly but there’s no real reason why the Atlantic Coast shouldn’t be so popular. Personally, in the heat of summer, I’d much prefer the cooling breezes coming in off of the Atlantic. Although there are some great air-conditioned luxury hotels along the Algarve I still find the heat oppressive at the height of summer.
The Silver Coast is well known to the Portuguese, it is only just really hitting the international market. But already the golf courses are winning awards, so it won’t be long before this area is just as famous, especially as it is so easily accessible from Lisbon airport
Now that Portugal has declared that they will welcome UK visitors (unlike Spain!), I am seriously considering going there this Summer or Autumn, and I have been looking at the Costa de Prata. When would you say is the best time of year to visit?
I can’t understand why I hadn’t heard of the Silver Coast until very, very recently which is why I thought that I’d look it up and do some research on the area. The Silver Coast really is an undiscovered gem, away from the tourist crowds. It’s definitely worth a visit.