Holidays in Costa de Prata (Silver Coast), Portugal

Costa de Prata, also known as the Silver Coast, is located in the central section of Portugal’s coastline, between Lisbon and Oporto. They call it the “silver coast” because the sun reflects intensely off of the water making everything look silver.

The mild temperatures, white sandy beaches, and gorgeous views have long made Costa de Prata one of the most beautiful places on earth. Thousands of tourists and vacationers love to come to Costa de Prata to enjoy the soothing seaside region and to get their fill of plenty of water sports. It is the perfect place for a relaxing or romantic holiday.

The beautiful springs, lush vegetation, and unique architecture all make Costa de Prata a wonderful place to spend your vacation. It is one of the most visited places in all of Portugal. When visiting the region, it is well worth it to splurge on some of the gorgeous and luxurious villas. If you plan on staying for an extended holiday, perhaps one of the many apartments for rent would be your accommodation of choice.

Portugal has so much to offer the visitor it can be difficult to contain what the country has to offer in a single list. However, regardless of where your rental is, you will have the opportunity to see some of the most beautiful monasteries, castles, churches, convents, and museums in all of Europe. Costa de Prata is rich in history. There are many small towns throughout Costa de Prata in which you can enjoy a lovely holiday.

Aveiro is one of the crowd-drawing towns in the Costa de Prata area. It is veined with canals and streams to set the tone for a romantic holiday, but is mostly famous for its lagoon. When visiting, be sure to visit the Cathedral and Gothic cross, the 18th century churches of Santo Antonio and Sao Goncalo. The Regional Museum housed in the ancient Convento de Jesus is also well worth a visit.

White Castle, or Castelo Branco, historically meant as a defensive fortress, rises on the slopes of the hills overlooking the plateau region. It is home to beautiful views, old castles, and delightful gardens. When in this area, be sure to take in the breathtaking views of the Tagus River and to also visit the Jardim do Paco (Bishop’s Palace garden).

Portugal is home to one of Europe’s oldest college towns, Coimbra. Visiting this town you will definitely get a feel for ancient education seeing black-caped students walking the streets and historical buildings. This city is rich in history and academia, which makes for a very informative day.

The graceful town of Leiria is home to a striking royal castle, a beautiful cathedral (16th-17th centuries), the Sao Pedro Church, the Nossa Senhora Encaracao Sanctuary, and the Nossa Senhora da Pena Church. There is an array of architectural history in Leiria, from the Romanesque to the Gothic, which should not be missed on any vacation to Portugal.

If you are looking for a stunning beach getaway, then you should definitely make your way to Nazare, when in the Costa de Prata region. Nazare is filled with not only stunning sunny beaches, but steep cliffs, typical fisherman houses, and wonderful views along the bright blue sea. What was once an old fishing town has been transformed into an haute holiday resort region. If you are planning on bringing the kids to Portugal, be sure to visit Sao Martinho do Porto beach, which has an enclosed and safe bay.