Do you know São Martinho do Porto?
Located about 100 km north of Lisbon, São Martinho do Porto is a charming Portuguese town looking out to the Atlantic Ocean. Boasting one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal, the town’s shell-shaped bay opens onto the ocean via a narrow passage, protected on either side by a cliff.
In the past, the town was a bustling port, home to shipbuilding and fishing industries. Today, it offers outstanding quality of life for local residents and holidaymakers alike. There are two distinct parts to the town – the beachside area where restaurants, bars and shops make for some lively summer evenings, and the upper part of town and its historic centre, located on the hillside and offering a breathtaking view of the bay. Take a stroll through the heart of the town and discover the Capela de Santo António, a small chapel built in the 16th century which features some beautiful azulejos tilework telling the legend of how the bay was formed. Then continue to the Miradouro do Cruzeiro, a lookout point affording an extraordinary view of the town, the bay and its surroundings.
What to see and do?
The bay harbours a sandy beach stretching over 2 km. There is a beautiful walk through the dunes to the northern end of the bay and a charming little harbour where a multitude of colourful boats are moored – simply gorgeous!
The calm waters and the fine sandy bay form a natural swimming pool, the ideal place to spend some wonderful afternoons with family or friends. You’ll be kept busy all day with sunbathing sessions, sandcastle competitions and water sports!