The Silver Coast
Few people know the recent history of the Silver Coast, but it is 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, ourinhã, 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.