Central Portugal · The Atlantic Coast
Costa de Prata
The Portugal the Portuguese keep for themselves. Endless beaches, Coimbra and prices that still make sense.
The Essence
The Costa de Prata is the Portugal that is not in the guidebooks. It is the Portugal the Algarve crowd escapes to in August, that Lisboners head for at the weekend. But above all, it is the Portugal of those who know what they want — and choose to live well.
Here the beach has dunes that run for miles. The surf is serious. The universities are centuries old. And when the sun sinks into the Atlantic, it paints the sky orange and pink in a way that happens only on this coast.
Why Live Here
Beaches that seem endless
From Figueira da Foz to Aveiro, miles of fine sand without the crowds. World-class surf in Nazaré, kitesurfing on the Óbidos Lagoon.
Coimbra — a city that teaches you how to live
The oldest university on the Iberian Peninsula, a unique tradition of student houses, Coimbra fado in the streets at night.
Prices that make sense
Ocean-view homes at prices Lisbon or the Algarve could never offer. Still the best-kept secret in the Portuguese market.
Everything within reach
Lisbon two hours away, Porto an hour and a half. A university hospital in Coimbra, the finest in Portugal. The A17 motorway running along the coast.
Honest, generous food
Bairrada suckling pig, bacalhau à Brás, eel stew from the Óbidos Lagoon, goose barnacles from Figueira.
Nature a step away
The Serra da Lousã, Buçaco, the Mondego National Forest. Schist villages 40 minutes from the beach.
A Day on the Costa de Prata
Dawn surf in Figueira
The ocean is still calm before the afternoon wind. On the dunes, all you hear is gulls and the sound of the sea.
Coffee at the town market
The Municipal Market has local growers every morning — Coimbra tomatoes, Tomar cheese, honey from the Serra da Lousã.
Lunch overlooking the Mondego
Fish stew, razor-clam rice, a glass of chilled vinho verde, with the river mouth and the ocean as a backdrop.
An afternoon in Coimbra or on the Lagoon
The University of Coimbra (a UNESCO site) or kayaking on the Óbidos Lagoon — culture and nature half an hour apart by car.
Sunset at Cabo Mondego
One of the finest sunsets in central Portugal, in a spot the locals know and keep to themselves.
Culture & Festivals
Queima das Fitas — May, Coimbra
Portugal's biggest student festival — serenades, parades and the symbolic burning of the coloured ribbons since 1899.
Summer Carnival — August, Figueira
The largest summer carnival in Europe. Floats and music into the small hours — drawing 400,000 people.
Nossa Senhora da Nazaré — September
Colourful processions and the traditional dress of the fisherwomen. The Nazaré that is still like this.
Moliceiros and Markets — Aveiro
The colourful boats of the lagoon, ovos-moles stalls, Art Nouveau streets. Aveiro is small and perfect.
Holy Week — March, Batalha/Tomar
Processions of medieval solemnity, with the Batalha Monastery as a backdrop.
Feira de São Pedro — July, Leiria
One of the oldest medieval fairs in Portugal, in the shadow of the castle.
The Cooking That Makes No Apologies
Bairrada Suckling Pig
Roasted in a wood-fired oven, with crackling skin. The most addictive dish in central Portugal.
Eel Stew
The Óbidos Lagoon yields remarkable eels, stewed with tomato, pepper and coriander.
Ovos-Moles de Aveiro
A convent sweet of egg yolk and sugar, moulded into shells and boats, created in the 18th century.
Bairrada Wine
Sparkling and red, with its own denomination of origin. Alongside the suckling pig, the most Portuguese pairing there is.
Where to Live
What You Need to Know
Figueira has an ocean beach and surf — livelier, more of a seaside resort. Aveiro has its lagoon, canals and a distinctive identity between water and city. Both with excellent quality of life.
Yes. Nazaré has the biggest waves in the world. Figueira, Tocha and Quiaios have consistent waves for every level — a serious surfing destination.
Significantly more affordable — ocean-view homes cost less than half of Lisbon. With rising values, it is one of the best investment opportunities in Portugal today.
Yes, in Coimbra there are schools with international curricula and an established expat community around the university.
Other Regions You Might Like
If the Costa de Prata is not quite your Portugal, perhaps one of these is.
Homes on the Costa de Prata
A sample of what we have available in this region.
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Tell us what you’re looking forFOZ VILLA · Costa de Prata
The Portugal that is
Worth Living In
FOZ VILLA was born here. We know every beach, every street, every home. Let us show you the Costa de Prata you will not find on the portals.