If you crave a life on the Portuguese coast, the Algarve is NOT your only option. The Silver Coast region is also well worth a look, easy to reach and affordable.

Many people experience Portugal for the first time when they holiday in the popular Algarve region. Plenty of those people quickly fall in love with the country and contemplate buying a holiday home. Some decide to make a permanent move to Portugal.

However, as many Portuguese people are quick to point out, there’s a lot more to Portugal than the Algarve. Some even dismiss the Algarve as not delivering the “real” Portugal! In this article, we’ll provide an in-depth look at the weather, transport options, amenities, and key towns on the Silver Coast.

Is the Silver Coast the “real” Portugal?

It’s fair to say that Portugal’s Silver Coast has a rather different feel to the Algarve. Yes, there are plenty of resorts in this region, complete with tourists flocking from miles around in the summer months. However, the area does feel more authentically Portuguese. This is not a place where you’ll find lots of menus translated into English, German and Dutch!

That said, there’s no shortage of international residents in the region. Some are concentrated around popular towns such as Caldas da Rainha, and plenty more enjoy quiet rural lives in villages around neighbouring central Portugal. This makes for an area where you can dip in and out of the “expat life” as much as you choose to.

Another big plus for the Silver Coast is that many towns are within easy reach of either Lisbon or Porto. This puts culture and city energy on the agenda, for whenever you fancy a change of pace.

Browse homes on the Silver Coast today

Weather on the Silver Coast

If you’re worried that you may have to trade climate for more affordable property, your fears are probably unwarranted. The weather isn’t quite as hot and consistent as it is further south, but for many that’s a good thing. You can still soak up the rays during a long summer and enjoy mild winter temperatures – certainly a world away from those in the UK!

There is more wind along this stretch of coast (which makes some towns famous for surfing). You will also notice that the Atlantic Ocean certainly isn’t the Mediterranean when it comes to sea temperatures! Other than that, however, the climate is still very agreeable. Generally speaking, the further south you venture within the region, the hotter the temperatures.

Figueira da Foz, a town on the Silver Coast. Image: Shutterstock

Travel and transport

Most of the Silver Coast is easily accessible and within reach of either Porto or Lisbon Airport. Both airports feature regular flights to and from the UK, and the flights are often cheaper than those between the UK and Faro.

The road network is good, with the A1 toll road between Lisbon and Porto offering a fast route through the centre of the region. There are also various train and bus routes – some faster than others!

It’s worth noting that considerable investment is being put into rail routes in this region. In the coming years, upgrades to the route between Lisbon and Porto will drastically reduce the journey time between the cities.

Amenities

The Silver Coast may be less well-known than the Algarve, but it is far from being the “back of beyond.” In fact, for those seeking culture and variety, proximity to one of Portugal’s largest cities could prove a huge plus point.

The Silver Coast may be less well-known than the Algarve, but it is far from being the “back of beyond.”

Many popular Silver Coast destinations are large towns (or small cities) in their own right, offering all the facilities you would expect, from cultural attractions to practicalities like shopping malls and services. Even if you choose a quiet village, all the key facilities are unlikely to be more than a short drive away.

Key towns on the Silver Coast

We’re going to take a journey down the Silver Coast from north to south, looking at some of the most well-known areas, including those particularly popular with overseas residents. This list is by no means exhaustive but should give you a good general flavour of the area, and the choice on offer.

Aveiro has a vibrant culture and neighbourhood

Aveiro: the ‘Venice of Portugal’

Less than an hour south of Porto airport, Aveiro is one of the Silver Coast’s more northern towns. However, it still enjoys what Wikipedia describes as a “warm summer Mediterranean climate.” The average highs are over 20 degrees Celsius for six months of the year, and days are agreeably mild in the winter.

With a population of just over 80,000 people, and a popular university, Aveiro is vibrant and charming in equal measure. It’s sometimes referred to as the “Venice of Portugal” due to its canal network. This is dotted with “moliceiro” boats, once used to gather seaweed.

Property for sale in Aveiro, Portugal

Aveiro’s beach resort areas are known as Costa Nova and Costa Barra. These are small villages in themselves that both boast miles of white sand. It’s easy to reach them from Aveiro thanks to frequent buses.

Aveiro is less than an hour from Porto by road. There are train connections both north to Porto and south to Coimbra and Lisbon.

Property in Aveiro

Modern apartments from €150,000; Houses from €175,000; Rustic homes and renovation projects in surrounding areas from €65,000. There are also many plots of land for sale in this region, for those who fancy “off-the-grid” living or building a home of their own. Browse homes in Aveiro today.

Figueira da Foz: a beach haven

Figueira da Foz is one of the most popular Silver Coast areas for international residents, and it’s hardly surprising. There’s a wide variety of beaches and lagoons and plenty of history in the town itself. Figueira was once Portugal’s most visited beach resort, and its opulent casino – dating from the 19th century – still stands.

Property in Figueira da Foz

There are lots of other cultural attractions, including churches, museums, and a Benedictine Monastery. In the evenings, residents and visitors alike get to enjoy a host of bars, restaurants and clubs. With a population of around 60,000, amenities are plentiful, including several good schools.

Porto is the nearest airport to Figuera da Foz, accessible in just under 90 minutes by car. Lisbon is two hours away by road – or by train, which takes a little longer.

Property in Figuera da Foz

Older apartments from around €120,000; Modern apartments near the beach from €190,000. Villas from €400,000. Browse property in Figuera da Foz today.

Nazaré – the surf town

Nazaré is a fascinating place to live. With a population of around 15,000, it’s essentially a cluster of three distinct “zones” – comprising two villages and a beach resort. These areas are connected by a funicular railway. The beach at Nazaré is very popular with surfers thanks to huge Atlantic waves, making it a popular holiday destination with those from Portugal and beyond.

Nazaré has always been a well-known fishing town, and it’s still possible to buy the latest catch straight from the water. The town itself features narrow, atmospheric streets, and no shortage of appealing seafood restaurants. All in all, this is a perfect place if you like the idea of a coastal village with just the right amount of activity.

Browse properties in Nazaré today.

It’s also worth noting that Nazare is just 30 minutes from the central town of Leiria. This is a popular meeting place for overseas residents – both from the Silver Coast and from nearby Central Portugal villages.

Situated almost exactly in the middle of the Silver Coast, Nazaré is around 90 minutes from Lisbon by road and about two hours from Porto.

Property options

Good apartments from €150,000; Houses and villas from €250,000. Browse properties for sale in Nazaré.

Caldas de Monchique is famous for its spa waters.

Caldas da Rainha: inland spa town

Although Caldas da Rainha isn’t, strictly speaking, a coastal town, it’s usually on the list for overseas buyers exploring the Silver Coast. Foz do Arelho and São Martinho do Porto are both just a stone’s-throw away, and both offer stunning beach options.

Caldas da Rainha itself is a well-known Portuguese spa town, famous for its hot springs, and also for being home to refugees and stranded airmen during World War II. As the centre of a busy municipality, the town is home to lots of practical amenities, including shops, schools and markets.

Caldas de Rainha (Caldas to the locals) is popular with expats. Like Leiria, it’s both home to many overseas residents, and a central place for others to meet up. It’s an easy place to feel at home and begin to integrate into your new country.

Browse homes in Caldas da Rainha

Caldas de Rainha is well connected, especially by road. Lisbon is just over an hour away. It’s also possible to reach many destinations by train. However, some of these routes are slow, with Lisbon taking much longer by public transport than by private car.

Property options

Lots of choice: Rural properties and renovation projects from €60,000. Town-centre apartments from €120,000. Villas from €210,000. This is very much an area where you can save by heading out into more rural surrounding villages.

Praia do Campismo and Island Baleal naer Peniche on the shore of the ocean in west coast of Portugal

Peniche

Many people asked to pick one well-known Silver Coast destination would come up with Peniche. Once again, this is a place famous for its Atlantic surf and record-breaking waves.

Peniche is a small coastal city, with a population of just under 30,000 people. The city itself is compact, and boasts a quaint old-town area and an attractive harbour. Unsurprisingly, this is a place that’s famous for fish and seafood, but it’s also well-known for lace. There are two beautiful churches and a striking fort.

Peniche is undoubtedly one of those places that gets busier in the summer. However, you can still find peace and seclusion as a resident by taking a short ferry ride to one of the town’s very own off-shore islands.

Find modern, off-plan properties in Peniche

Peniche is at the southern end of the Silver Coast, putting Lisbon within easy reach – you can be there in around one hour and 20 minutes. There’s no train station in Peniche, but frequent buses run to and from Lisbon, taking just 90 minutes.

Property options

Property for sale in Peniche is largely split into two categories. They are beach apartments, which are available from €195,000 and townhouses, which are available from €375,000. There’s also a range of off-plan developments popping up in Peniche, which might work for those looking to move in one or more years.

For more information about buying off plan, click here. To browse properties available in Peniche, browse our Property Portal today.

As mentioned above, these destinations only scratch the surface of what’s on offer in Portugal’s Silver Coast. There are dozens of small towns and villages dotted between them, all offering an inspiring choice of property and lifestyle. For more information on life in Portugal, check out our top tips for settling in.