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A day in Obidos
In Óbidos, a millenary and literary village, there is an immensity of well-kept secrets from the time it was offered to the Queens as a wedding dowry.
You can start your walk through the village within the walls, wandering through the narrow streets and among the small traditional shops that swarm in every open door that we see.
Be sure to visit the churches (not to miss the Sanctuary of Senhor Jesus da Pedra on the outskirts of the village or the church of S. Pedro inside the walls), the bookstores and the nooks and crannies of this wonderful and enchanted village.
Take the opportunity to have lunch in one of the picturesque restaurants: 1º de Dezembro, Advocato, Infusion (the latter two already outside the walls), among many others to discover.
In the afternoon, go to Lagoa de Óbidos, do a little paddle or windsurf, surf on the beaches of the Beltico, or just go for a walk.
You can also discover the treasures of the parishes of the municipality, the Convent of São Miguel in Gaeiras, the small library of Sancheira or the cherry factory in Sobral da Lagoa.
For dinner there is also a wide variety of restaurants, the Blackbird where you can enjoy Portuguese tapas, the Caldeirão, behind the Senhor da Pedra church, or the Pousada do Castelo restaurant, with the window overlooking the Castle fence , where even today lovers ask their loved ones in marriage.
Of course there is still a lot to discover, your imagination sets the limit.
A day in Caldas da Rainha
Despite everything in Caldas da Rainha revolving around "miraculous" thermal waters, where you can cure some ailments, there are other pearls to discover in this neighboring county. Martim Cabral reinforces some treasures that you can visit in the episode of Boa Cama, Boa Mesa below.
Start your walk through Parque D. Carlos, one of the largest and most beautiful in Portugal, visiting the mythical Museu José Malhoa, then wandering around Praça da Fruta, where you can find the best fruit and vegetables in the region since the 19th century.
You can also visit several restaurants in the city centre, such as Casa Antero, Marathon, Casa do Bingre, the pizzerias in the old Praça do Peixe, among others. You can also buy Bordalo bread and pastries in the Beco oven. Don't forget to try Cavacas, Beijinhos or Falos das Caldas (yes, you got it, the real one from Caldas).
Speaking of ceramics, don't miss the city center through the Bordaliana route, a tribute to Bordallo with sculptural works by the artist. You can also visit the Casa Museu de São Rafael, where pieces created in the famous Bordallo Pinheiro factory are exhibited, and purchase the colorful pottery and ceramics in one of the traditional stores.
Finally, be sure to head to Foz do Arelho or São Martinho and enjoy a good day at the beach in the West.
https://sicnoticias.pt/pais/2021-05-15-Boa-Cama-Boa-Mesa-nas-Caldas-da-Rainha-e3740821
A day in Peniche / Baleal
Currently one of the favorite surfing destinations in Portugal, the Capital da Onda has a lot to discover.
As for gastronomy, Peniche is a land of people and genuine food: fresh fish and good meat can be found around every corner. Tasca do Joel is a good example and there are several restaurants scattered around the surroundings, Tribeca in Serra Del'Rei or Acácios in Lagide, toasts in Ferrel, as well as several typical taverns.
Go to the Corvos nau and don't miss the factory of Gero's fiberboards, made by Rui Formiga and painted by Quim: Fatum Surfboards .
You can also visit in Vermelha the factory of Koala Surfboards managed and manufactured by hand by Gomes da Koala, one of the founders of Polen and the first Portuguese shapers and surfers.
Don't forget to take a day to discover the beautiful island of Berlengas.
Here are some tips for a good relationship with the population:
- Respect the places, regardless of your surfing level;
- Be discreet;
- Do not leave trash on the floor;
- Discover the beaches that best suit your level;
- do not enter the water in unfamiliar and unfrequented places.
A day in São Martinho / Nazareth
São Martinho and Nazaré, like the rest of the West, are two picturesque fishing villages where you can enjoy clean waters and beaches as far as the eye can see.
The gastronomy and traditions are unique, such as seafood and dry horse mackerel from Nazaré, or the warm waters of São Martinho Bay. The seven skirts and the algae culture, so much to discover.
Other places you can't miss:
- Lourinhã - Dinoparque and beaches (35 minutes)
- Cadaval - Eden Buddha (15 minutes)
- Leiria (30 minutes)
- Batalha - Convent sweets and monasteries (30 minutes)
- Alcobaça - Convent sweets and monastery (30 minutes)
- Torres Vedras (30 minutes)
- Lisbon - 45 minutes
- Fatima - 45 minutes
-among so many other pearls of central Portugal.
