Costa de Prata Road Trip: Portugal's Silver Coast Adventure

One of the most perfect days Nazare in Portugal has seen in 2020.

The Costa de Prata, or Silver Coast, stretches along central Portugal’s Atlantic coastline, offering a perfect blend of medieval towns, world-class surf spots, UNESCO treasures, and hidden beaches. This road trip takes you through centuries of history while chasing the perfect wave and the freshest seafood.

Quick Trip Overview

Duration: 4-5 days (or extend to a week)
Distance: Approximately 250km
Best Time: May-October (September-November for big wave watching)
Starting Point: Lisbon
Ending Point: Coimbra (or loop back to Lisbon)

FULL ITINERARY

Day 1: Lisbon to Óbidos to Peniche

Morning: Óbidos (1.5 hours from Lisbon)

Tourists walk through the narrow streets in the historic town center of Óbidos, Extremadura, Portugal.

Start your journey in the enchanting medieval town of Óbidos, wrapped in ancient walls like a fairytale. Walk the castle ramparts, sip the famous Ginjinha de Óbidos (cherry liqueur) served in chocolate cups, and explore narrow cobblestone streets lined with bougainvillea.

Must-Do: Walk the entire castle wall circuit (40 minutes) Where to Eat: Petrarum Domus for traditional Portuguese cuisine Photo Spot: Porta da Vila entrance with azulejo tiles

Afternoon: Peniche & Berlengas

Fort in Berlenga island – Portugal – architecture background

Drive 30 minutes to Peniche, Portugal’s surf capital. This working fishing town is the gateway to the Berlengas Islands, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Berlengas Islands (May-September):

Take a 45-minute boat ride to this pristine archipelago
Explore São João Baptista Fort
Snorkel in crystal-clear waters
Limited to 550 visitors daily – book ahead!

Peniche Surf Scene:

Supertubos Beach: Home to MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal
Baleal Beach: Perfect for beginners
Surf Schools: Over 20 schools offering lessons

Where to Stay: MH Peniche Hotel Dinner: Tasca do Joel – try the caldeirada (fisherman’s stew)

Traditional Portuguese codfish stew, known as caldeirada de bacalhau, prepared in a stainless steel pot with sliced potatoes, onions, tomatoes, peppers, herbs and olive oil.Homemade meal on a stovetop

Day 2: Peniche to Nazaré

Morning: Coastal Drive & Hidden Beaches

Take the scenic coastal route stopping at:

Praia da Consolação: Natural rock pools perfect for families
São Bernardino Beach: Hidden gem with dramatic cliffs
Foz do Arelho: Where lagoon meets ocean

Afternoon/Evening: Nazaré

A surfer practising on a medium-sized wave at Praia do Norte, Nazare, Portugal

Welcome to Nazaré, the town that Garrett McNamara put on the world map by surfing a record-breaking 78-foot wave in 2011! This traditional fishing village transformed into the mecca of big wave surfing.

Nazaré Highlights:

Sítio da Nazaré: Take the funicular up the 318-meter cliff
Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo: Big wave surfing museum and viewpoint
Praia do Norte: Watch giant waves (October-March)
Traditional Beach: See fishwives in seven-layer skirts selling dried fish

Big Wave Season: The underwater Nazaré Canyon creates monster waves from October to March. Even if you’re not surfing, watching from the fort is spectacular!

Where to Eat: Restaurante A Tasquinha – grilled fish straight from the boat Photo Ops: Sunset from Sítio viewpoint, traditional fishing boats on beach

With rocks in foreground, in a winter day of december, before christmas.

Day 3: Nazaré to Batalha to Leiria

Morning: Alcobaça

30 minutes inland brings you to the magnificent Monastery of Alcobaça (UNESCO World Heritage Site). This 12th-century Cistercian monastery houses the tragic love story tombs of Pedro I and Inês de Castro.

Don’t Miss: The massive medieval kitchen with a river running through it! Sweet Stop: Try the local pastries at Pastelaria Alcôa

Midday: Batalha

Alcobaca, Portugal – April 13, 2019 – sign indicating the entrance of the garden of love on a spring day with the sculptures – The Royal Trones of the sculptors Thierry Ferreira and Renato Silva

The Monastery of Batalha (UNESCO Site) is a masterpiece of Gothic and Manueline architecture, built to commemorate Portugal’s victory at the Battle of Aljubarrota (1385).

Highlights:

Unfinished Chapels with open sky
Founder’s Chapel with João I’s tomb
Intricate stone lacework

Lunch: Restaurante Vintage – traditional cod dishes

Afternoon: Leiria

Central square in Leiria, Leiria district, PortugalCentral square in Leiria, Leiria district, Portugal

Climb to Leiria Castle for panoramic views over the city. This medieval fortress has royal connections – King Denis I lived here with his wife, Saint Queen Isabel.

Evening Stroll: Historic city center along the Lis River Dinner: Casinha Velha – regional specialties

Alcobaca, Portugal – March, 30, 2012: the Chapter House, the room where the monks gathered to discuss the daily matters filled with baroque statues, inside the medieval Roman Catholic monastery of Alcobaca, founded in 1153

Day 4: Leiria to Tomar

Morning: Pombal

Pombal, Portugal; August 2021: medieval Castle of Pombal, built in the 12th century and donated to the Knights Templar in order to defend Coimbra

Stop at Pombal Castle, a Templar stronghold with incredible views over the Mondego Valley. The town is also famous for Marquês de Pombal, who rebuilt Lisbon after the 1755 earthquake.

Afternoon: Tomar