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The
Silver Coast of Portugal (Costa da Prata)
stretches in and out of rugged coves for nearly 200
kilometres from the northern shores of
Lisbon up to the
wide sandy beaches of
Figueira da Foz.
The
Silver Coast
gained it's name due to the colour of the sea when the
sun shines and has long
been a favourite destination of many Portuguese
holiday makers looking for a little summer sun on the
many sun
kissed beaches. |
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More recently though the
delights of the
Silver Coast
have been discovered by overseas visitors and now is one
of the country's most popular destinations for holiday
makers. Wide sandy beaches, a range of championship golf
courses and
interesting, historic villages and towns are just some
of the attractions drawing thousands of tourists from
around the world every year. So if you're looking for a relaxing beach holiday,
an activity packed break or
want to delve into Portugal's rich history, the
Silver Coast has plenty to offer.
The opening of the new A8
motorway which links the international airport at Lisbon
airport means you can be sunning yourself on one of the
Silver Coast's beaches in less than an hour. It is
perhaps the new infrastructure which has aided the rise
in popularity of the
Silver Coast as
a holiday destination to the wider populous. However
whatever the reason more and more people are discovering
the delights the
Silver Coast
has to offer. |
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Perhaps one of the most
significant towns within the Silver Coast's boundaries
is
Sintra, which has been the playground for kings and
the wealthy for well over a century. Nestled among the
steep, rocky hills on the
Silver Coast,
the town of
Sintra, which
boasts UNESCO status as a cultural landscape site, is a
fascinating mix of eclectic, opulent architecture with
it's palatial
estates peeking out of the tree lined hillside.
The
kings and queens of Portugal
though did not just favour
Sintra,
other notable towns on the
Silver Coast
which received royal patronage include
Batalha,
Caldas da
Rainha,
Óbidos
and
Alcobaça,
the latter two also boasting
UNESCO listing
as cultural heritage sites.
The former fishing villages of
Nazaré
and Sao Martinho do Porto are other popular destinations
for visitors who enjoy beach holidays, due to their wide,
arched bays. During the height of the summer season
these once small villages, accommodate thousands of
tourists and it can be difficult to find a spot on the
sand. But come the winter the two towns all but close up
until the next year. |
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However if you're
looking for a something a little more adventurous the
Silver Coast
also caters for the active among us. Thanks to the wild,
rolling waves crashing in off the Atlantic ocean, the
Silver Coast is home to some of the best surfing beaches
in Portugal.
The Association of
Surfing Professionals agree and is set to hold two
rounds of their world championships at Ericeira in
October 2010. Though you don't need to be professional
standard to enjoy the surf on the
Silver Coast.
Even if you've never surfed there are plenty of schools
to help you get to grips with this energetic sport.
A little more sedate
perhaps, but as entertaining is
golf and
something the
Silver Coast
can offer in abundance with a variety of courses up and
down the coast line.
So whatever you look
for in a weekend break or annual holiday why not join
the thousands of others who are discovering Portugal's
Silver Coast as a holiday destination. |
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