Discover some of the best surf, wine and golf in Portugal!
We visit Portugal’s Silver Coast north of Lisbon and explore two beautiful DOC regions - Lourinhã and Óbidos - in the Lisboa wine region
Beautiful Óbidos Lagoon, on Portugal’s Silve Coast - Source: Winekeller
Portugal is a country with an incredibly rich wine history. It also offers some of the best wine tourism experiences in the world, combining wine, gastronomy, history, culture, incredible scenery and sport and wellness activities.
Head to the central area of Portugal’s Lisboa wine region, within easy reach of the capital Lisbon, to experience some of the country’s best wine tourism and in our view - some of the best in the world. Experience the best Atlantic waves, taste unparalleled seafood, play some of the best golf courses in Portugal, visit art deco wineries and centuries-old farms and explore historic sites…
Read on to discover more about this beautiful part of Portugal in the Lisboa wine region!
Some if the best golf, surf and wine in Portugal: Source - Winekeller
The central Lisboa wine region
Lisboa wine region: Source - Vinhos de Lisboa
Portugal’s Lisboa wine region is made up of nine sub regions and in the central area these include:
D.O. Alenquer, D.O. Arruda, D.O. Lourinhã, D.O. Óbidos and D.O. Torres Vedras.
For the purposes of this article we are focusing on the areas of D.O. Lourinhã and D.O. Óbidos, located less than an hour away from Lisbon.
The region of D.O. Óbidos is located inland of the Atlantic coast, with the famous and historic walled medieval town of Óbidos at its heart.
The grape growing region here is quite cool and produces good quality, crisp, white wines and light, elegant red wines, as well as some of Portugal’s best sparkling wines.
West of Óbidos, on the Atlantic coast, is the Lourinhã DOC - the first and only demarcated region in Portugal focused on the production of brandy. It is one of just three such regions in Europe, along with the famous French brandies, Armagnac and Cognac. The Lourinhã vineyards grow predominantly white grape varieties and their exposure and soils allow for a winemaking process with low alcohol content and high acidity, resulting in a high-quality brandy. Due to this exceptional quality, this brandy has been used by Port wine producers for over two hundred years.
Read more about Lourinhà brandies here.
In the north-west of the Lourinhã DOC region lies the popular fishing port of Peniche, the Cabo Carvoeiro headland and many beautiful sandy beaches, featuring some of the best surf on Portugal’s Atlantic coast. Read on to discover more about this beautiful region.
Portugal’s Silver Coast
Portugal’s ‘Silver Coast’ - or ‘Costa de Prata’ - stretches from Lisbon to Porto along the Atlantic coast. This beautiful, wild, rugged stretch of Atlantic coastline is known for its wide, sandy beaches and rolling surf, as well as for its top golf courses and is a magnet for holidaymakers, golfers and surfers alike, but without the crowds of Portugal’s better known destination, the Algarve.
Portugal’s beautiful Silver Coast - Source: Winekeller
What towns are on the silver coast in Portugal?
In Portugal’s Central Region the Silver Coast offers the opportunity to discover some beautiful, historic and traditional towns, all uniquely Portuguese, allowing you to experience the real Portugal. Focusing on the Lisboa wine region’s two DOCs, Lourinhã and Óbidos, we suggest visiting the following Silver Coast towns:
Peniche
Peniche is one of the largest traditional fishing ports in Portugal and as you might expect, boasts an excellent fish market and some wonderful fish and seafood restaurants. It is also a vibrant town (especially in the summer months), with a lovely historic centre and a spectacular 16th century fort, which played a key role in Portugal’s history. Peniche is also known for its lace industry, so look out for shops selling lovely lace products.
You can walk from the centre of town to the lighthouse at Cabo Carvoeiro, which will take about 45 minutes from the marina. From here you can enjoy magnificent views across to the islands of Berlenga. (Note it is also very much worth taking a ferry from Peniche harbour to the nature reserve on the Berlenga islands).
Peniche surfing and beaches:
Peniche is also very much known for its beaches and its amazing surf. In terms of family beaches you can’t beat Baleal Beach (we know because we used to have a holiday home here!). The village of Baleal is located just outside Peniche and offers not one but two beautiful sandy bays, with a causeway running between each across to the tiny island of Baleal. It attracts surfers, yes, but it is, in our opinion, also one of the best beaches in Portugal for families. There are also several beach bars and restaurants here where you can enjoy some excellent refreshments and of course, fish and seafood!
Surfers flock to Peniche, attracted to the Supertubos (tubular waves) off Medão Grande Beach and Lagido Beach.
(Note that if you love surfing, a visit to the Nazaré, further north on the Silver Coast, is a must! Nazaré is also a traditional seaside town and fishing port but is also famous today for its giant waves at the Praia do Norte beach.)
Peniche rock formations:
All around Peniche you can admire the stunning rock formations, with coastal cliffs made up of layers dating back over 200 million years. This area, known as ‘Geopark Oeste’, is defined as an area of outstanding geological significance.
Óbidos
Just 10-15 minutes drive inland from Peniche and close to the beautiful Óbidos lagoon, you arrive at the walled town of Óbidos, one of the most well preserved medieval, walled towns in Portugal. Encircled by a ring of medieval walls and crowned by a Moorish castle , which is now a pousada, Óbidos is entered through the southern gate of Santa Maria, embellished with eighteenth-century azulejo tile decoration.
You can walk the town walls, visit the medieval castle at the core of the fortifications and stroll the pretty, winding streets and alleyways, framed with scented bougainvilleas and colourful houses.
The beautiful medieval, walled town of Óbidos: Source - Visit Center of Portugal
Is Óbidos worth visiting?
Yes! Óbidos may be slightly touristy in parts and it can get very busy in high season, but nevertheless Óbidos is extremely impressive. Try to visit during one of the many festivals held here each year, notably the International Chocolate festival, held several times each year, the Christmas Village and the Medieval market held in the summer months. We have also spent time in Óbidos during Easter time, which is a real spectacle.
Óbidos is also a UNESCO Creative City and a literary town, a paradise for book lovers.
Óbidos liqueur
Óbidos is known for its special ‘Ginjinha’ liqueur, a sweet, traditional Portuguese liqueur made from infusing sour cherries (ginja berries) in alcohol with sugar and spices. It is served as a shot, often in a small chocolate cup (which you eat after you’ve enjoyed the liqueur), sometimes with a cherry at the bottom. ‘Ginjinha’ is found especially in Lisbon and Óbidos and you will find it being offered in small, traditional shops (often just a window or small bar) throughoout the streets of medieval Óbidos.
Caldas da Rainha
The town of Caldas da Rainha owes its name to the thermal spring here that was appreciated by Queen Dona Leonor, wife of the 15th century King Dom JoãoII - in fact the name translates as the ‘Queen’s hot springs’. Today Caldas da Rainha is a thriving and busy town, known for its daily market.
Foz do Arelho
Close to both Óbidos and Caldas da Rainha, on the coast, at the mouth of the beautiful Óbidos lagoon, visit the small resort town of Foz do Arelho. A charming seaside town, popular for its wonderful beaches and its location on Óbidos lagoon, offering safe swimming and watersports and access to a beautiful nature resource with lovely walking and cycle routes.
Where the Atlantic meets the Óbidos lagoon at Foz do Alreho: Source - Visit Center of Portugal
Bombarral
Bombarral is an important fruit and wine-producing centre, popular today for its Bacalhôa Buddha Eden oriental garden - the largest of its kind in Europe!
Wineries to visit in this part of the Lisboa wine region
Vinhos Cortém
Founded in 2004 Vinhos Cortém is a small organic winery set in the hills and valleys a few kilometres east of Caldas da Rainha and close also to Óbidos. Part of the Lindeborg Wine group, Cortém is known for its single variety wines and blends, producing mainly red wines but also orange wines.
Quinta do Gradil
Quinta do Gradil is one of the region's oldest wineries, with the oldest written reference to the quinta dating back to the 15th century. The current owner, Luis Viera, purchased the property in 1999 and set about renovating and rebuilding and creating a premium wine and wine tourism brand. Located in Cadaval, near Bombarral, in the foothills of the Serra de Montejunto, Quinta do Gradil farms 120 hectares of vines, producing a wide variety of wines and offering a wide range of wine tourism experiences.
Quinta do Sanguinhal
Quinta do Sanguinhal is also located close to Bombarral. It is a family owned winery and was voted the ‘best family winery’ by Golden League, 2022. Now managed by the 4th generation of the Pereira da Fonseca family, the business comprises three estates in the Óbidos DOC, totaling 100 hectares of vineyards - Quinta do Sanguinhal, Quinta das Cerejeiras and Quinta de São Francisco. Guided tours are offered at Quinta do Sanguinhal, which includes a visit to the vineyards and 19th century gardens and you can see the impressive wine press here dating back to 1871.
Entre Vinhas & Mar
Entre Vinhas & Mar (Between the vineyards the sea) is located close to Óbidos and Óbidos lagoon, producing a range of mainly white wines, but some red too. The focus is on sustainability, nature and biodynamic wine growing and wine making. Entre Vinhas & Mar offers accommodation and a range of wine tourism experiences.
Some of the best golf courses in Portugal
The Silver Coast offers some of the best golf courses in Portugal and (along with the wine of course) this is a major draw to the region. Golf enthusiasts and wine enthusiasts can combine a visit to the Lisboa wine region and specifically the Lourinhã and Óbidos DOCs with a round of golf at the following superb and top-rated championship golf courses (all of which we have played and can highly recommend):
Praia d’El Rey
The Praia d’El Rey Golf & Beach Resort, located on the coast just 10km from Óbidos, is a world-class resort comprising a 5-star Marriott hotel, miles of golden beaches, spectacular villa and apartment accommodation and at its centre a stunning championship golf course. It is one of Europe’s top golf courses set amongst rolling sand dunes and pine forests with views over the Atlantic towards the beautiful Berlengas Islands.
West Cliffs
Right next door to the Praia d’El Rey resort is the West Cliffs Ocean and Golf Resort - a stunning 5 star resort designed to offer the best of what the Silver Coast has to offer. West Cliffs is an award-winning, seaside links golf course.
Royal Óbidos
The Royal Óbidos Spa & Golf Resort offers a 5 star hotel and spa, villas and apartments and a world-class golf course designed by golf legend Seve Ballesteros. The resort is located just minutes from medieval Óbidos, with stunning views over the Atlantic and Óbidos lagoon.
Bom Sucesso
Guardian Bom Sucesso Golf is a par-72 golf course designed by renowned architect Donald Steel, set within the Bom Sucesso Resort overlooking the Óbidos lagoon. The 5 star resort features a range of luxury accommodation options all uniquely designed by the world's most renowned contemporary architects.
Where to stay on the silver coast in Portugal?
We can personally recommend the following options:
Praia d’El Rey Golf & Beach Resort - offering three different types of 5-star accommodation, including in the Marriott Hotel - perfect for premium golf, beach and wine experiences.
Entre Vinhas & Mar - 3 houses sleeping 6 people, for an experience in the heart of the vineyards.
Or as an alternative option we can recommend Cas’ Amaro in Alenquer - a contemporary villa in a picturesque vineyard setting for groups of up to 6 people.
Conclusion
This part of the Lisboa wine region holds many special family memories for us and if you wish to explore a less touristy and more authentic part of Portugal then we can highly recommend. The wine, golf, surf and gastronomy here are all incredible and so is the hospitality. If all you know is the Algarve, then give Portugal’s wild and beautiful Silver Coast a visit!
