Today, we’re going to discover a region of Portugal that’s a little less well known than the Algarve ( covered in our previous article here ), but which is nonetheless very interesting. Today’s featured region is the Côte de Prata (silver coast in French), and in this article we’ll look at why you should choose to live on Portugal’s silver coast. The name of this region comes from the color of the ocean as the sun sets on it. So romantic!

Because this magnificent region, full of contrasts, with its seashores, historic villages and castles, is so vast. In fact, it stretches for 280 km along the Atlantic coast! Many people, however, think that the Silver Coast comprises only a few towns above Lisbon, or that it stretches from Ericeira to Figueira da Foz, but this is not the case. The Silver Coast stretches more or less from the town of Espinho, 30 km south of Porto, to the town of Peniche, some 100 km north of Lisbon

1. A region to delight history and culture buffs

The Silver Coast region ( Costa de Prata), as its name suggests, has a lot of coastline and therefore a lot of beautiful beaches (as we’ll see later). However, it would be a shame to stop there, as this region has even more to offer. In fact, it boasts a rich cultural heritage, with so many treasures that some of its towns have even been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites – no mean accolade! Don’t you agree? Here are 4 of these sites that are well worth a visit

• Batalha Monastery : Built to commemorate the Portuguese victory over the Castilians at the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385, this is an imposing monastery. I particularly recommend a visit to the imperfect chapel and the royal cloister, where you’ll find the tomb of the unknown soldier.
• The Convent of Christ in Tomar is a symbol of the reconquest of Portuguese territory under Muslim rule. The huge convent surrounding the Templar church includes four magnificent cloisters.
• Alcobaça monastery : the church houses the tombs of King Dom Pedro and Ines de Castro, lady-in-waiting to his wife Constança Manuel, whose forbidden love affair has inspired numerous books.
• The University of Coimbra and its famous library, which inspired Harry Potter writer JK Rowling to create the Hogwarts library.

The Silver Coast also boasts a number of fortified towns and castles, including

• the castle on the tiny island of Almourol,
• porto de Mos Castle
• ourém Castle
• montemor or velho castle,
• pombal Castle.

2. A region of tranquility

The Silver Coast offers a wide choice of beautiful beaches, which have the advantage of being a little less talked-about than the beaches of the Algarve or those near Lisbon. Mass tourism is therefore less prevalent, offering greater tranquillity and a more marked presence of Portuguese habits and customs

From north to south of the Silver Coast, you’ll find, among many others, the beautiful beaches of Furadouro, Costa Nova, Mira, Quaios, Figueira da Foz, Nazaré, São Martinho do Porto, Foz do Arelho, Baleal , Peniche… And to find out even more about Portugal’s beaches, don’t miss my article dedicated to beaches

 

You can swim on these different beaches, but you should be aware that the sea is often rough – it’s still the Atlantic Ocean! The waves found in this region offer surfing and kitesurfing aficionados some fantastic spots, including the world-famous Nazaré spot (which we ‘ll talk about a little later in the article ). Of course, not all of us are wave lovers, and if you’re not, or if you’re with young children, I’d recommend the beach at Foz do Arelho. Here, you can see the Obidos lagoon, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean, offering beaches with calm waters on one side and ocean beaches on the other, ideal for those who want waves

The beach at São Martinho do Porto is also renowned as ideal if you have children. Indeed, the beach is located in a semi-circular bay ( you can see the pretty, atypical shape of this bay in the photo below ), which offers calm waters

Porto

For those who prefer land to sea, the region also offers numerous hiking trails and some twenty golf courses spread throughout the region: Óbidos, Consolação, Asseiceira, Vimeiro or Turcifa ..

3. Fine weather, but no extremes of temperature

If you decide to move to Portugal, one of the reasons may be the weather. That’s right! In everyone’s mind, Portugal rhymes with sunshine. So you probably want to live in the sun, and therefore choose a sunny region. Many will tell you that for sunshine you have to go “south”, and will almost instantly point you towards the Lisbon and Algarve regions

So, yes, sunshine and temperatures are higher in the south of Portugal. As in France, the further south you go, the warmer and sunnier it gets. However, you mustn’t forget that Portugal is to the south of France ( and at this point you’re thinking, “she’s really good at geography!” ) ) The northern regions of Portugal and the Silver Coast are, admittedly, a little less sunny and warm than those in southern Portugal, but they are still much sunnier and warmer than in France, Belgium or other countries further north

All the more so for those who can’t stand “extreme” temperatures, this “central” region of Portugal enjoys pleasant daytime temperatures of around 30 degrees in summer and around 15 degrees in winter (except in a few towns on the Silver Coast that are further inland, where temperatures can be more extreme)

Finally, as far as the weather is concerned, you should know that you’re on the Atlantic coast! You have the privilege of living close to the ocean, but on the other hand, you can sometimes experience sea fog and a slightly windier, wetter climate than if you lived inland. But then again, you have to be prepared for a few sacrifices when you’re lucky enough to live by the sea, don’t you think?

4. A region ideally situated between two major cities

Another advantage of the Silver Coast is that it lies between the capital, Lisbon, and its little sister, Porto. These major cities are therefore easily accessible, thanks to the many motorway networks that criss-cross the Silver Coast. In fact, as you can see from the section I’ve activated below, the A1, A8, A17 and A29 motorways from north to south, and the A25, A23 and A14 from east to west, intertwine in the heart of the Côte d’Argent, providing quick access to numerous destinations. So you can go anywhere in just a few hours and discover different places with different climates, cultures and points of interest

5. More affordable real estate and cost of living

The fact that Portugal’s Silver Coast is less well-known and touristy than the Algarve, Lisbon and Porto regions has an impact on the cost of living and property prices, which are more affordable here than in other regions

Portugal’s Silver Coast is very extensive, so prices can vary, but you’ll easily find a complete dish with fish or meat and several side dishes for 10 euros, when it will cost around 15 euros in other regions

Property prices per m2 are also much lower than in other regions. Whereas in the Algarve, the average price per m2 is around 3100 euros, and in Lisbon 5300m2, the price per m2 in the Côte d’Argent can be almost halved or tripled, with an average of 1800€/m2

Below are the average prices per m2 of real estate in certain towns on the Silver Coast ( please note that these are average prices per m2 and vary according to the type of property you have selected, source: arkadia )

• 600€/m2 in Nazaré
• 2,73 0€/m2 in Nazaré
• 2,475/m2 in Coimbra
• 1,600/m2 in Leiria
• 2,680/m2 in Figueira da foz
• 1,920/m2 in Alcobaça
• 2,230/m2 in Caldas da Rainha

For more information on properties in the region, please contact us on 33 7 67 57 58 40 or info@villaferia.com and our property hunter Vera Lopes will be delighted to advise you

6. Living on Portugal’s silver coast means discovering towns with a wealth of attractions

In preparing this article, I realized that one of the great assets of this region is the wealth of towns it comprises. These cities are divided into 3 districts: Aveiro, Coimbra and Leiria

In fact, this region is made up of numerous towns with different charms, but above all, all filled with a distinct culture, history and wealth, as I gave you an overview of at the start of this article. This mix of towns means there’s something for everyone. Some with their castles, others with their crafts, with their vineyards … It would be impossible and tedious to list here all the towns of the great Costa de Prata, however, here are five ( among many others ) that authorize a detour

• Aveiro, with:

1. Its “moliceiros ” ( typical boats ): if you’re taking a trip to Aveiro, don’t forget to hop aboard one of the pretty boats that cruise the city’s canals, earning it the nickname “Venice of Portugal”.
2. Its “house-pyjamas ” ( also known as “palheiros “): near Aveiro, in Costa Nova, by the sea, you can admire beautiful houses with colorful stripes.
3. Its “ovos moles”: an egg-and-sugar-based pastry that I talked about in more detail in my article on gastronomy, which you can find by clicking here.

• Caldas da Rainha, with :

1. Its thermal springs: Caldas da Rainha means “Queen’s Spring” in reference to Queen D. Leonor. The town’s hot springs give it the status of a spa town, where the world’s first thermal hospital was built. Classy!
2. The art of ceramics: The Silver Coast region has a strong tradition of craftsmanship, particularly in ceramics, one of the national emblems of which is Rafael Bordallo Pinheiro’s factory in Caldas da Rainha. The town is famous for its “louça das caldas” ( spring crockery ), made from ceramics with a variety of motifs: vine leaves, snails… Caldas da Rainha’s craftsmanship is also known for what is popularly called “caralhos”, ceramics with more “particular” motifs that can make you smile, as you can see in the photo below. You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting your tableware 😉

Craftsmen painting “caralhos” in Caldas da Rainha.

• Nazaré, with :

1. Its huge waves: The town is famous for its waves, which are caught by surfers from all over the world. In October 2020, it was in Nazaré that German surfer Sebastian Steudtner broke the world record for the biggest wave ever surfed, taming a 26.20-meter wave. He then beat the record held since 2017 by Brazilian Rodrigo Koxa on a 24.40-meter wave, also in Nazaré.
2. The exceptional view from the site : For a magnificent panorama of the ocean and Nazaré beach, I strongly recommend climbing to the promontory at the top of the town. One thing’s for sure, you won’t be disappointed by this breathtaking view.
3. Its fishermen, a deep-rooted tradition: A former fishing village, Nazaré is still a very typical sight. Here you can see fishermen and their wives, dressed in traditional costumes, gutting, drying and selling fish on the beach. 100% zero intermediaries: from the sea to your plate!

The Sitio in Nazaré at sunset. No waves that day!

• Obidos, with :

1. Its village is sure to charm you: you have to go there to discover the special atmosphere that emanates from this place. A village surrounded by a wall. Within it, narrow cobbled streets are interspersed with small houses of immaculate white with a touch of blue or yellow.
2. Its two not-to-be-missed events: The first, the International Chocolate Festival ( usually held at the end of April ), is perfect for those with a sweet tooth. The second event, also well known and not to be missed in this city, is the Christmas festivities, where the decorations, illuminations and animations are a favorite with the Portuguese.

In the streets of Óbidos.

• Barge, with :

1. Its fortress: Europe’s most westerly city boasts an ancient fortress overlooking the port, from which you can see the pretty Berlengas Islands.
2. Its “Caldeirada de peixe”: a delicious fish bouillabaisse that is the town’s specialty.
3. Its “Renda de Bilros”: the town is famous for its bobbin lace, a craft that has been perpetuated over the years, and which is very interesting to observe, as the meticulous work is remarkable.

Bobbin lace.

In conclusion

Portugal’s Silver Coast is synonymous with “douceur de vivre”. Lesser-known and therefore quieter than its neighbors, it is home to a wide variety of riches, both in the towns near the ocean and inland. If you’re curious, you won’t have time to get bored as this region has so many treasures to discover!

If you’d like to settle down on the Côte d’Argent, don’t hesitate to contact us. Villa Feria and its property hunters will be delighted to help you with your project in Portugal. See you soon!

Why not let yourself be seduced by the gentle pace of life on Portugal’s silver coast?

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