Portugal's Silver Coast
The Silver Coast - The Real Portugal
Few people know the recent history of the Silver Coast, but it's well known that until Praia D'El Rey was built on its rugged, unspoilt and savagely beautiful coastline few people outside the Western Region of Portugal appreciated or had even heard of the Silver Coast's natural allure.
The region includes the municipalities of Alenquer, Arruda dos Vinhos, Bombarral, Cadaval, Caldas da Rainha, Lourinhã, Óbidos, Peniche, Rio Maior, Sobral de Monte Agraço and Torres Vedras but it is much more than an exotic list of names. The Silver Coast is rich in archaeology from pre-historic caves to Moorish castles and Roman villages, aqueducts and bridges, medieval churches and monasteries, 15th century forts, 17th and 18th century manor houses and a number of fortifications from the Peninsular Wars of the early 19th century.
For nature lovers, over 120 kilometers of paths have already been established and signposted around Salir do Porto and the protected landscape of the Serra de Montejunto. Or visit the Environment Interpretation Centre on the Berlenga islands (which is Portugal’s only marine nature reserve). North of Praia D’El Rey, the lagoa de Óbidos (lagoon) offers a wide choice of activities for watersports lovers.
Other attractions of the region include its foodie reputation. Although not necessarily famed for its upmarket restaurants (although there are quite a few) instead it is the simple, mouthwatering seafood and fish on offer in its small restaurants on almost every street corner or beachfront – including several in Peniche and Lourinhã/Porto Barcas. And the ancient recipes handed down from generation to generation can be tasted in the region’s egg rolls and “cavacas” (light crisp cakes) from Caldas da Rainha, the bean pies from Torres Vedras and the sponge cakes from Landal, Painho and Rio Maior.
The region also has a genuinely fascinating handicraft history and culture, including ceramics from the studio of Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro in Caldas da Rainha and the bobbin lace produced in Peniche.
