When we travel, we try to enrich our experience in the place we’ve chosen to get to know better. And of course, there’s no better way to get to know the culture of the places we choose to visit than through their gastronomy.

Gastronomy of the Silver Coast Portugal: Influences and characteristics

The region is bathed by the Atlantic Ocean and at the same time lives off its rurality, and the gastronomy is influenced by this dichotomy: the sea and agriculture. Here the dishes reveal a Portuguese tradition passed down from generation to generation, as well as room for innovation.

Typical ingredients

Fish and seafood: Sea bass, sardines, clams and barnacles are some of the stars at your table

Fruits and vegetables: “Rocha” pear, “Alcobaça” apple and high quality vegetables mark the region

Meat and sausages: Kid, piglet and blood sausage are used in local cuisine

Conventual pastry: Highlights include bean cakes from Torres Vedras, sponge cake from Alfeizerão and cornucopias from Alcobaça

Wines and liqueurs: Lisbon wines and sour cherry liqueur are very popular throughout the country.

Typical dishes from Silver Coast Portugal

Tradition is everything here, and the most typical dishes show it. The tradition of fishing and agriculture is at its most cultural in the gastronomy.

Fish stew: Towns like Peniche and Nazaré bring us one of the most emblematic dishes of the Portuguese coast. Caldeirada de peixe is a mixture of fresh fish, potatoes, peppers and tomatoes, which are cooked slowly to enhance the flavor and texture of the dish.

Bolhão Pato style clams: This unmistakable taste of Portuguese gastronomy is a simple but very tasty combination. Here the seafood combines with olive oil, garlic, coriander and white wine.

Seafood stew: The most important ingredient here is the fresh seafood, but the bread can’t be far behind. To all this is added garlic, coriander and poached eggs, creating a unique and irresistible flavor.

Grilled sardines: Here are the queens of the Portuguese festival! It couldn’t be more traditional. There is usually a special time to eat them, which is when they reach their appetizing size: between June and September. They are served with bread or boiled potatoes.

Silver Coast piglet: Yes, it’s associated with the Bairrada region, but in the West there are also very appetizing variations of this dish. Piglet is nothing more or less than a tender pig that is roasted and stands out for its crispy, juicy skin.

Traditional pastry

The monasteries throughout the region brought with them some of the most traditional sweets that can be found in some of the cities and towns in the Silver Coast.

Pão de Ló from Alfeizerão: This sponge cake is a little different from the rest because the inside is creamy and moist, giving it a different texture. For all lovers of conventual sweets, this one is a must try.

Cavacas from Caldas: Cavacas das Caldas are more or less like a sigh. They are a dry cake made from eggs, flour, sugar and lemon and are perfect with a nice cup of coffee.

Cornucópias from Alcobaça: Developed by the “white monks” or Cistercian monks, cornucopias are based on egg yolks and sugar and are shaped like a cone.

Ginja from Óbidos: Although it is a drink, it is a drink and not a sweet… this liqueur is served in a chocolate cup, giving it a new look!

Regional wines and drinks

The Lisbon wine region takes in much of the West and has some of Portugal’s most famous wines. We also highlight two other very special drinks here, Ginja de Óbidos and Aguardente da Lourinhã.

Wines from Torres Vedras and Alenquer: The red wines are usually full-bodied and the whites aromatic. Some of the whites have a salty touch due to the proximity of the vines to the ocean.

Ginja de Óbidos: this is a traditional liqueur from the West region, and it’s like a sweet Port wine.

Aguardente da Lourinhã: there are only three demarcated brandy regions in the world: Cognac and Armagnac in France and another in the West, more precisely in Lourinhã. This is a hidden treasure that you’ll have to discover.

Best time to visit and try the local specialties

There is no best time to visit the region, as they are all different and special, but here are a few tips to suggest the best time to try some of the local gastronomic specialties:

June to September: this is the perfect time of year to try grilled sardines.

Autumn and winter: be sure to try the fish stew or the seafood açorda, which are comforting dishes.

Gastronomic festivals not to be missed: Highlights include the partridge festival in Caldas da Rainha (A-dos-Francos), the seafood festival in Ericeira or the Medieval Fair in Óbidos.

Conclusion

If you like to eat, and you think this is a way of getting to know the local culture of the Silver Coast Portugal region better, then you should pay a visit and try all these suggestions, starting with fresh fish, passing through seafood, and not ending with meat but with sweets. As a digestif, try a Ginja from Óbidos or a brandy from Lourinhã. And if you want to get to know and taste more our local culture book the Caldas da Rainha Food Tour.

Enjoy your meal!

The post Silver Coast Portugal: a rich and diverse gastronomy appeared first on Silver Coast Travelling.

In this article we’ll explore what this region has to offer, so follow along for tips that will increase your curiosity about this destination.

But where is the Silver Coast Portugal?

Silver Coast lies between three districts: Lisbon, Santarém and Leira, straddling both the Atlantic coastline and the interior of the country. As well as stunning landscapes and charming towns and villages, the region is close to the capital Lisbon.

Destinations in focus in the Silver Coast Portugal

Óbidos the most charming medieval town in Portugal

This town is one of the most picturesque in the country, surrounded in its entirety by medieval walls (well preserved), offering visitors narrow streets full of flowers and whitewashed houses creating a charming atmosphere.

These are some of the points not to be missed during a visit to the town:

• Town main entrance and its XVII/XVIII-century tiles
• Church of Santa Maria de Óbidos
• Santiago bookstore (ancient royal chapel)
• VIII century Moorish castle

Peniche, the surfers “Meca”

This is probably the best-known surfing destination in Portugal and abroad. This peninsula is home to some of the best waves in the world. Supertubos beach and Baleal are the beaches of choice for practicing this sport. You can always combine sport with the rich gastronomy associated with fresh fish.

Not to be missed in Peniche:

• Supertubos beach
• Baleal beach
• Carvoeiro cape
• Museum of Independence

Nazaré, the land of Giant Waves and fishing traditions

Yes, if Peniche is known for being the “Mecca” of surfers, Nazaré is no exception and in the last 15 years has become known as the land of giant waves. Today the town attracts professional surfers from all over the world who want to surf what are considered to be the biggest waves in the world.

Then, of course, there’s so much more! Highlights include the breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and the coastline, as well as the traditions associated with its people, such as the drying of the fish or where the oldest women still wear seven skirts. Caldeirada de Peixe (fish stew) or Arroz de Marisco (seafood rice) are two gastronomic dishes to try.

What to visit if you’re in Nazaré:

• São Miguel Arcanjo fortress
• Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré
• Funicular

Caldas da Rainha and its centuries-old thermal baths

This city planted between hills and beaches is known for its thermal baths, where its thermal hospital is considered the oldest in the world. But not only that, the city is also known for its rurality, where the “Praça da Fruta” is the only traditional open-air market open every day of the year. Here you can find fresh fruit and vegetables as well as a variety of local cheeses.

Off the beaten tourist track, this is the place to visit:

• Thermal Hospital
• Street market
• D. Carlos I
• José Malhoa Museum

Alcobaça the city of love

Alcobaça is known for its monastery and for the love story of King Pedro I and Queen Inês de Castro. But there’s more to discover in the city. In association with the monastery of Santa Maria, you can try the convent sweets, including the cornucopia.

Not to be missed in Alcobaça:

• Santa Maria monastery (UNESCO heritage)
• Wine museum
• Conventual pastry

Silver Coast Portugal: Culture and traditions

The Silver Coast Portugal is rich in cultural traditions, crafts and festivities, some of which are centuries old. These include:

• Ginja de Óbidos: A true nectar of the gods that today is drunk in a glass of chocolate.
• Bordalo Pinheiro: The master who revolutionized ceramics and the dynamics of the city of Caldas da Rainha.
• Dried fish: In Nazaré there is an open-air museum showing how this activity is carried out.
• International Chocolate Festival: This is one of the most eagerly awaited festivals in the country and brings even more magic to the surroundings of Óbidos castle.

Gastronomy in the Silver Coast Portugal region

The Silver Coast is known as the “breadbasket” of the capital. Fresh ingredients abound, transforming the quality of any dish.

• Fish stew: in this stew, the star of the dish is the fresh fish
• Bacalhau à lagareiro: as it should be, here too we find the king of the Portuguese table (codfish)
• Pão de Ló de Alfeizerão: This delicacy of the gods is one of the most popular conventual pastries in Portugal (similar as a Sponge cake).

When is the best time to visit the Silver Coast Portugal?

• Summer: this is the ideal time to visit the region’s long sandy beaches and also to enjoy festivals such as the Óbidos Medieval Market.
• Autumn: The mild temperatures will allow you to visit the historic towns, or go birdwatching in the Óbidos lagoon.
• Winter: Ideal for watching the giant waves of Nazaré
• Spring: If you like hiking or walking outdoors, this is the ideal time to visit the region.

Events not to be missed in the Silver Coast Portugal

Let’s make a list of events and activities that you’ll want to visit in the Western region:

• Medieval Market: In the summer this is probably the most popular event. It takes place during July and August in the town of Óbidos
• Caldas Late Night: This is an art festival held by university students at Caldas da Rainha (late May)
• International Exhibition of Alcobaça Conventual Sweets & Liqueurs: takes place during the month of November
• World Surf League: Every March at the Supertubos beach in Peniche

Conclusion

In conclusion, this region north of Lisbon is the perfect example of how you can mix history, culture and nature in your trip, and is ideal for planning a shorter or longer visit if you have the time.

Either way, we’re here waiting to show you the best we have to offer. Get to know more about the Silver Coast destinations.

Get local with a local!

The post The Silver Coast Portugal: A guide to explore this fascinating region appeared first on Silver Coast Travelling.