Caldas da Rainha
Caldas da Rainha..
Every day Caldas da Rainha has a lively bustling market in the town square. Return to the old world of the freshest local and regional produce including vegetables, fruit, nuts, cheese, chickens, flowers, sausages and fresh-baked cakes. The cobbled side streets are excellent for clothes shopping with branches of Mango and Etxart & Panno and other well-known retailers. There are dozens of shoe, sports, lingerie, kids, casual and perfume shops and an excellent cinema with new-release films in english shown at the same time as the UK. Just 25 minutes from our villa.
Every day Caldas da Rainha has a lively bustling market in the town square. Return to the old world of the freshest local and regional produce including vegetables, fruit, nuts, cheese, chickens, flowers, sausages and fresh-baked cakes. The cobbled side streets are excellent for clothes shopping with branches of Mango and Etxart & Panno and other well-known retailers. There are dozens of shoe, sports, lingerie, kids, casual and perfume shops and an excellent cinema with new-release films in english shown at the same time as the UK. Just 25 minutes from our villa.
Caldas Park
The D. Carlos I Park with many facilities like ponds, tennis court, bandstand or esplanade. This wonderful park gives access to the wonderful José Malhoa Museum from the 19th century, with important collections of Portuguese art,
which highlight is obviously the work of this great Portuguese artist: José Malhoa (1855 - 1933).
which highlight is obviously the work of this great Portuguese artist: José Malhoa (1855 - 1933).
SPA at Caldas
Obidos
Óbidos..
Considered to be one of the jewels of Portugal's national heritage, Óbidos was once the favourite retreat of King Sancho I and was a wedding gift from King Diniz to Queen Isabel. Its unspoilt beauty is retained in its narrow cobbled streets and elegant whitewashed buildings with balconies brimming with flowers. Óbidos has dozens of restaurants, bars and cafes as well as open air opera in the old town square, music festivals and our favourites, the medieval feasts and the chocolate festival! 5 mins southwest of Caldas da Rainha. Fine wine area the most famous being Gaerias and a traditional Obidos liqueur known as ginja which is drunk from a tiny chocolate cup! www.cm-obidos.pt Just 20 minutes from our villa.
Considered to be one of the jewels of Portugal's national heritage, Óbidos was once the favourite retreat of King Sancho I and was a wedding gift from King Diniz to Queen Isabel. Its unspoilt beauty is retained in its narrow cobbled streets and elegant whitewashed buildings with balconies brimming with flowers. Óbidos has dozens of restaurants, bars and cafes as well as open air opera in the old town square, music festivals and our favourites, the medieval feasts and the chocolate festival! 5 mins southwest of Caldas da Rainha. Fine wine area the most famous being Gaerias and a traditional Obidos liqueur known as ginja which is drunk from a tiny chocolate cup! www.cm-obidos.pt Just 20 minutes from our villa.
Foz Do Arelho & Nadadouro
Sitting at the edge of the beautiful turquoise 'Obidos' lagoon these quaint fishing villages still have all the traditional fishermen in their flat-bottomed boats and their catch of prawn, clams and crabs are sold in the local restaurants. Although it is now a protected natural heritage site there are still all the water-based leisure facilities you could wish for as well as surf bars, beach bars, night clubs. Foz do Arelho and Nadadouro have long been the wealthy Lisbon persons choice and their 'weekend' houses around the lagoon certainly live up to that reputation. Building is now quite restrictive to protect the nature of the lagoon. 25mins + northwest of our villa.
Baleal
Sao Martinho do Porto & Salir do Porto
São Martinho do Porto & Salir do Porto..Sitting in its shell-shaped bay the beachfront of the old town of São Martinho do Porto has been recently renovated with new cobbled pedestrian areas and upmarket shops, bars and cafes. Just around the other side of the bay São Martinho is a lively seaside resort with yellow sands which are cleaned daily, beachbars, cafes, restaurants, beachwear & beachgear shops and an equally lively nightlife. Old portuguese buildings and new modern apartments all look onto a beautiful bay with boats bobbing on the water in this natural harbour. Salir do Porto sits on the south side of the bay and is much quieter with fantastic views of the bay and within walking distance to São Martinho . 40 mins north of our villa. Visit www.visit-sao-martinho-do-porto.com for more information
Nazare
Nazare only an hour away, beside a glorious beach in a sweeping bay backed by steep cliffs, upon which lies the lovely old Sitio or city, this small fishing village still retains some of its traditional character and charm with local men and women still dressed in traditional fishing costume. Good seafood. www.cm-nazare.pt
Peniche
Peniche..
A lively old-style fishing town with fishing boats leaving the harbour every evening and returning to port during the early morning with their catches of seafood and fresh fish. The catches are on sale that day in the big covered market in the centre of town and in the many fish restaurants throughout the town. With excellent waters and beaches around Peniche this is surf-city with annual surfing championships held here. 17 miles about 30 mins southwest of our villa.
Peniche famed for its "Supertubos", is one of the most popular surfing resorts in Portugal, suitable for all levels ranging from beginner to expert. Scuba diving, kitesurfing and windsurfing are also popular and there are a wide range of surf camps and schools that offer lessons and courses for all skill levels. There is also a small aquapark here. You can also take a boat from Peniche to the island of Berlenga surrounded by crystal clear water, perfect for diving. Near the harbour there are many inexpensive restaurants serving very fresh fish.
For more details click www.cm-peniche.pt
A lively old-style fishing town with fishing boats leaving the harbour every evening and returning to port during the early morning with their catches of seafood and fresh fish. The catches are on sale that day in the big covered market in the centre of town and in the many fish restaurants throughout the town. With excellent waters and beaches around Peniche this is surf-city with annual surfing championships held here. 17 miles about 30 mins southwest of our villa.
Peniche famed for its "Supertubos", is one of the most popular surfing resorts in Portugal, suitable for all levels ranging from beginner to expert. Scuba diving, kitesurfing and windsurfing are also popular and there are a wide range of surf camps and schools that offer lessons and courses for all skill levels. There is also a small aquapark here. You can also take a boat from Peniche to the island of Berlenga surrounded by crystal clear water, perfect for diving. Near the harbour there are many inexpensive restaurants serving very fresh fish.
For more details click www.cm-peniche.pt
Sintra
A visit to the green hills and old quarters of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the 19th century mystical Regaleira Palace with its turrets, gardens and grottos is a must. Lord Byron once called Sintra "glorious Eden".
Other locations nearby are also a variety of historical centres including monastery at Alcobaça ,the 14th century Gothic abbey at Batalha, a number of castles, caves and places of historical interest can all be reached within a 40 minute drive. Elsewhere, there are national parks, hills and mountains to explore. To make it a difficult choice for the curious visitor and only slightly farther afield, lie the impressive Mafra Convent, the cosmopolitan seaside resorts on the way to Cascais, the verdant Serra da Arrábida and picturesque Sesimbra, the Sado estuary and the aristocratic farmhouses of Azeitão. Driving south, the ochre and blue unspoiled beaches on the Alentejo coastline open on to a vast Atlantic horizon.
Arrábida Natural ReserveGuided Tour
Arrábida Natural ReserveGuided Tour
