Costa de Prata (The Silver Coast)

Costa de Prata stretches along 200 kms in the centre of Portugal from Espinho in the north down to Ericeira. Lagoons, small villages in the hills, castles, forests, the beautiful pine forest Pinhal do Rei, the Berlengas Islands where there is good sea fishing, sandy beaches which are considered to be among the finest in Europe. The Berlenga Grande has been declared a National Bird Reserve. Costa de Prata has a lot to offer and is popular for visitors all year round.

Coimbra, on the banks of the river Mondego, is the mainland's third-largest city. It is an ancient university town with one of the oldest universities in Europe and is also one of Europe's largest university cities. The students, wearing traditional black capes and faculty ribbons, add colour and life to the city. The famous week long festival, the Burning of the Ribbons, takes place in May, after exams.

The 12th-century Sé Cathedral and the Art Museum housed in a former Bishop's Palace are worth a visit. The city is famous for its particular style of Fado (traditional songs, exceptional to Portugal).

Other towns and villages in the Costa Prata:
Aveiro ("The Venice of Portugal", colourfully painted, graceful swan–necked boats), Conimbriga (with fine remains of a Roman town), Nazaré (a small fishing village with a long beach), Óbidos (a medieval town, completely walled in), Torreira (a typical fishing village), Anadia (the centre of the Bairrada wine), Figueira da Foz (modern beach resort, casino), Leiria (castle built in 1135 on a plateau high above the town, hand–blown glassware), São Martinho (the beach is ideal for families with children).