The Silver coast
Introduction
The local population will go to the many beaches in the region, including the now famous Nazaré renowned worldwide for its highest waves in the world. I am adding only a few of these beaches, and you can find a long list of them if you search on google maps for silver coast beach in Portugal:
The nearest beaches are many, with the nearest beach of São Pedro de Moel which is approximately 20 miles away from our villa and is highly popular with the locals.
Directions to the nearest beach from Villa Nour, going through Leiria and then the town of Marinha Grande
Link to the location of São Pedro de Moel beach: https://maps.app.goo.gl/vTvTGayJsna187RK8
São Martinho do Porto
The most child-friendly beach and one of the most beautiful ones is São Martinho do Porto. It is shaped like a scallop resulting in a place with warm calm waters and fine white sand creating a superb and safe environment for kids to enjoy as there are no risks from the bigger waves of the Atlantic coast.
According to the travel booking site eDreams, the "natural bay of clear and calm water and surrounded by diverse shops and restaurants offers the ideal conditions for a relaxed family day" and São Martinho do Porto is "perfect for the baths of children, while adults relax in the sand or have a drink on a terrace overlooking the sea"
Nazaré
Nazaré became world famous for what has been considered the place with the highest waves in the world. The waves are only present on the northern side of the cliff which cuts the beach into two.
Before Nazaré became known to the world, it was simply known to me as another beach with a great central place with great seafood restaurants and the omnipresence of local ladies advertising rooms to rent.
Now, it has become one of the most visited places, certainly in Portugal, by surfers from all over the world, and with this fame, Nazaré has been attracting people who also want to witness for themselves these gigantic waves. It is important to note that they are seasonal and I won’t expect to see them during the summer holidays. I look at the local weather to find out in the Autumn/ Winter seasons, if the conditions are right before going to Nazaré to see these waves.
If you take the A8 motorway as you towards Leiria the journey will only take approximately 40 minutes and you will be able to enjoy not only going to Nazaré but have enough to visit the Alcobaça monastery, a UNESCO World heritage monument.
As you are about to arrive, you will be mesmerized by the view. As you will be driving towards Nazaré, you have the ocean appearing right in front but far down below your sight because you are coming from the top of the hill.