Copyright © Silver Coast Life 2010 - 2011
Find us on
Powered by:
Outdoor activities
- on the Silver Coast
There is a wide range of outdoor activities available on the Silver Coast, from cycling along the water's edge to scaling the slopes of a mountain and even taking to the skies above it.
Fishermen are spoilt for choice on the Silver Coast - miles of coastline, calm lagoons and fresh inland waters provide endless opportunities for dropping your line in the water.
Beach fishing is very popular in Portugal, which is reputed to be one of the best locations for sea fishing in Europe, and the waters off the coast are said to contain over 200 species of fish. Locals also harvest clams here and in the bay at nearby São Martinho do Porto, using a large fork to rake them out of the sand.
Beach fishing is very popular in Portugal, which is reputed to be one of the best locations for sea fishing in Europe, and the waters off the coast are said to contain over 200 species of fish. Locals also harvest clams here and in the bay at nearby São Martinho do Porto, using a large fork to rake them out of the sand.
To fish in Portugal you will need a licence which is cheap and easily available from ATMs (Multibancos).
Insert your card and after the PIN prompt select the following in this order:
- Estado e Sector Publico
- Pagamento as Estado
- Licenciamento de Pesca Lucida
- Choose from: Pesca Apeada (beach fishing), Pesca de Embarcacao (boat fishing), Pesca submarina (spearfishing) or Pesca Água Doce (fresh water).
- Choose Local (cheaper and covers your area and the two bordering it) or Nacional.
- Choose your area (if you selected Local).
- Choose from 1 mes (month), 1 ano (year) or 3 anos.
- Enter UK passport number, Confirmar (although there are 10 boxes it will accept the nine digit number).
- Enter passport number again or Portuguese fiscal number, Confirmar.
- Enter phone number
- Check details, Confirmar.
A printed receipt will be issued which must be carried with photo ID when fishing. Two rods are allowed per licence. Please note that freshwater fishing is only allowed in certain areas and licence requirements may change. Check all relevant legislation at the time of fishing - the local angling shop should be able to offer advice.
Insert your card and after the PIN prompt select the following in this order:
- Estado e Sector Publico
- Pagamento as Estado
- Licenciamento de Pesca Lucida
- Choose from: Pesca Apeada (beach fishing), Pesca de Embarcacao (boat fishing), Pesca submarina (spearfishing) or Pesca Água Doce (fresh water).
- Choose Local (cheaper and covers your area and the two bordering it) or Nacional.
- Choose your area (if you selected Local).
- Choose from 1 mes (month), 1 ano (year) or 3 anos.
- Enter UK passport number, Confirmar (although there are 10 boxes it will accept the nine digit number).
- Enter passport number again or Portuguese fiscal number, Confirmar.
- Enter phone number
- Check details, Confirmar.
A printed receipt will be issued which must be carried with photo ID when fishing. Two rods are allowed per licence. Please note that freshwater fishing is only allowed in certain areas and licence requirements may change. Check all relevant legislation at the time of fishing - the local angling shop should be able to offer advice.
Silver Coast Fishing
Getting a Licence
Walking & cycling
Óbidos lagoon has excellent pedestrian and cycle paths on both its southern and northern shores. On the Foz do Arelho side it runs from the promenade at the lagoon mouth to the market gardens below Nadadouro, while on the other side it traces the shore of the
Óbidos lagoon has excellent pedestrian and cycle paths on both its southern and northern shores. On the Foz do Arelho side it runs from the promenade at the lagoon mouth to the market gardens below Nadadouro, while on the other side it traces the shore of the
lagoon from the village of Bom Sucesso to the mouth of the Óbidos river 14 kilometres away. The path is great for all ages - the going is easy and the views are fantastic. There is cycling and walking over at Peniche as well where a cycle path runs between the road and the beach dunes from the town centre to the old whaling village of Baleal. The route is signposted Ciclovia Peniche-Baleal.
Head for the mountains
For a more challenging walk or bike ride in the outdoors head for Pragança on the eastern flank of Montejunto and follow the mountain road upwards. In the car park on the saddle below the summit are start points for two walks of different lengths and difficulty. The sign-posting is not great but the scenery makes it worthwhile. While there don't miss the old Royal Ice Factory located in the trees behind the car park. The factory has been recently restored and there are information boards telling the story of this fascinating historic site.
Another option is to continue up the road to the summit, a desolate and windswept place where an ancient church and the ruins of a monastery share a rocky plateau with radar posts and a military installation. Don’t be put off by the hardware - although the military site is out of bounds the old buildings are open to be explored. The place has a strange and unusual beauty and the ruins of the monastery are deeply atmospheric.
Activity holidays
The Silver Coast is a rewarding countryside to explore on foot or on two wheels, with views of the ocean, lagoon, vineyards and valleys to complete the experience. Outdoor activities on the Silver Coast can be arranged through local operators like Explore Silver Coast who organise a range of activities including walking and cycling tours. These can be guided or self-guided and range in duration from half a day to a week-long holiday. Bikes and equipment are available.
Adventure sports on the Silver Coast
Montejunto is also the base for a range of outdoor activities for thrill seekers. The mountain is one of Portugal's centres for hang-gliding and paragliding, but there are a range of other outdoor activities available across the Silver Coast. The Wind Centro de Actividades de Montanha (Tel: 210 848 878) offers hang-gliding and paragliding as well as other mountain-based activities such as rafting, canyoning and climbing. The Centro de Voo Livro do Oeste (Tel: 966 074 882) offers hang-gliding and paragliding courses with all equipment included in the package.
Head for the mountains
For a more challenging walk or bike ride in the outdoors head for Pragança on the eastern flank of Montejunto and follow the mountain road upwards. In the car park on the saddle below the summit are start points for two walks of different lengths and difficulty. The sign-posting is not great but the scenery makes it worthwhile. While there don't miss the old Royal Ice Factory located in the trees behind the car park. The factory has been recently restored and there are information boards telling the story of this fascinating historic site.
Another option is to continue up the road to the summit, a desolate and windswept place where an ancient church and the ruins of a monastery share a rocky plateau with radar posts and a military installation. Don’t be put off by the hardware - although the military site is out of bounds the old buildings are open to be explored. The place has a strange and unusual beauty and the ruins of the monastery are deeply atmospheric.
Activity holidays
The Silver Coast is a rewarding countryside to explore on foot or on two wheels, with views of the ocean, lagoon, vineyards and valleys to complete the experience. Outdoor activities on the Silver Coast can be arranged through local operators like Explore Silver Coast who organise a range of activities including walking and cycling tours. These can be guided or self-guided and range in duration from half a day to a week-long holiday. Bikes and equipment are available.
Adventure sports on the Silver Coast
Montejunto is also the base for a range of outdoor activities for thrill seekers. The mountain is one of Portugal's centres for hang-gliding and paragliding, but there are a range of other outdoor activities available across the Silver Coast. The Wind Centro de Actividades de Montanha (Tel: 210 848 878) offers hang-gliding and paragliding as well as other mountain-based activities such as rafting, canyoning and climbing. The Centro de Voo Livro do Oeste (Tel: 966 074 882) offers hang-gliding and paragliding courses with all equipment included in the package.
See the Silver Coast map for locations mentioned on this page