Why Portugal’s Costa de Prata should be your next beach break

The beaches are wild and wonderful

The Algarve may be Portugal’s beach capital, but the Costa de Prata takes home gold in more than one category. Stretching down the coast are long ribbons of champagne sand that feature more sea grass than footprints, all backed by the boom of crashing Atlantic waves.

In the north, you’ll find a mix of laidback sands popular with sunseekers searching for a serene spot to swim and sunbathe. Look to Aveiro, Figueira da Foz and São Pedro de Moel for the most picturesque shores.

Go south and you’re in surf country. Hammered by some of the biggest waves in Europe, beaches like Nazaré, Peniche and Ericeira lure pros from across the world. Praia do Norte in Nazaré is the undisputed star, home to record-breaking swells that can tower up to 28m (91ft). Surfer or spectator, the surging breakers never fail to thrill.

But that’s not to say the beaches are all surf and no play. Nazaré’s main strand is a generous sweep of buttery sand that buzzes day and night. Just south, São Martinho do Porto’s sheltered crescent is the prime spot for paddling, sandcastles and ice creams.

You'll be charmed by its towns and cities

More historical than high-rise, the Costa de Prata’s towns and cities are the kind that tug at the heartstrings.

Take Óbidos. One of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe, a visit here is like stepping into a storybook – one where cobbled streets are lined with whitewashed houses, a turreted castle stands guard from a hilltop, and the community spirit is fuelled by festivals and fairs.

As a tribute to its literary heritage, several historical buildings, including a 12th-century church, have been transformed into bookstores. It has earned Óbidos the title of UNESCO Creative City of Literature – and the love of many a bookworm.

Then there’s Aveiro, Portugal’s take on Venice. A network of canals winds past pastel-hued art nouveau facades in this romantic lagoon-side city that’s best explored by a vibrant – and often cheekily painted – moliceiro boat. Don’t miss the city’s ovos moles, sweet wafer pastries filled with a soft cream made from egg yolks and sugar.

Just down the coast, Costa Nova’s striped palheiro cottages look like they’ve been plucked straight from the shelves of a sweet shop. It’s the kind of place that invites a stroll, a seafood lunch and a deep breath of salty air.

There are outdoor adventures on tap

Surfing isn’t the only activity that will get your heart pumping in the Costa de Prata. A patchwork of pine forests, vineyards, mountains and sea cliffs, the region promises a new adventure at every turn.

Start with the hiking trails. The Rota da Luz rewards walkers with unbeatable Atlantic views, while the paths crisscrossing the Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park pass ravines and limestone caves. Tackle them on two wheels if you’re after an extra challenge.

More into wildlife than workouts? Take a boat trip to the Berlengas Islands. This rocky archipelago off the coast of Peniche is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve where you can spot guillemots, geckos and wild rabbits on land and sardines, octopus and starfish below.

Back on the mainland, the São Jacinto Dunes Nature Reserve is another haven for nature lovers, with freshwater pools, pine forests and migrating birdlife waiting to be spotted.

And if you’re hoping for a different kind of birdie, you’re in good hands here. The Silver Coast’s golf courses rank among Portugal’s finest and a game at Praia D’El Rey or West Cliffs will prove it to you.

Its architecture was made to impress

Ancient castles, churches and palaces pepper the Costa de Prata. Top billing goes to Batalha Monastery. This masterpiece of gothic and Manueline architecture took over 100 years to complete – and almost a hundred more to restore. Its carved stone doorway, lace-like spires and stained-glass windows still inspire nothing less than awe.

Alcobaça Monastery is a striking contrast. One of Europe’s finest examples of Cistercian architecture in Portugal, it’s characterised by its simple, clean lines and natural materials. Towering stone columns, a vaulted 20-metre (65ft) nave, and spare, solemn chapels create an atmosphere of monastic grandeur.

If you’re looking for castles, you’ll find plenty to fill your camera roll. From the windswept fort of Peniche to the hilltop towers of Leiria and the sprawling ramparts of Montemor-o-Velho, the region offers medieval drama in spades.

For royal grandeur, try the National Palace of Mafra. A colossal baroque complex with a convent, Rococo library and gardens, there's no holding back on the finery.

The food and wine are sensational

Like most of Portugal, the heart of the Costa de Prata lies in its food. Family-run tascas and cosy tabernas serve up the freshest of seafood in dishes like caldeirada (fish stew) and arroz de marisco (seafood rice), as well as hearty regional fare such as leitão da bairrada (roasted suckling pig).

If you find yourself hungry in Figueira da Foz, book a table at Olaias. This Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant is known for its mouthwatering carolino dishes – short-grain rice from the Mondego valley cooked low and slow in a clay pot. Over in Alcobaça, O Telheiro’s authentic Portuguese cooking and homely setting make it one of the best restaurants in town.

For wine lovers, the producers in and around the Costa de Prata have given all sorts of grape varieties a go, so it would be rude not to sample some while you’re here. Crisp, sparkling whites from Bairrada, smooth, full-bodied reds from Arruda dos Vinhos, and robust fortified wine from Carcavelos are all on offer.