Martinho do Porto is a bay on Portugal’s Silver Coast. It is about an hour and a half (by vehicle) from Lisbon and a few minutes from Nazaré or Alcobaça, where you can visit the monastery.
The region is home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the country, a scallop-shaped cove with calm waves and fine white sand. The natural bay is inviting and tranquil. You will find many stores and restaurants near the beach, making it a perfect place for a relaxing day with the family.
Even though the port is not as busy with business as it used to be, the beach and tourist activities give it a unique energy, especially in the summer.
A few metres of opening connect the bay to the sea. As a result, the water is calm, ideal for youngsters, and even better for sailing, windsurfing, or kayaking. There are several cafes, restaurants, and patios along the road along the sea where parking is difficult to come by. From the port area, a small pedestrian tunnel provides direct access to the open water.
Friar Estevo Martins, the 12th abbot of the Monastery of Alcobaca, wrote about the town for the first time in a letter he sent in 1257. The bay served as Alcobaça’s seaport, where fishing and shipbuilding operations flourished.
Because of local growth and the installation of the pier, the beach area saw a second settlement in about 1885.
Points of interest
Viewpoint – Located on Santo António hill, this viewpoint provides a panoramic view of the harbour.
The Santo António hill lighthouse – Built in ancient times close to a fort that protected the bay’s entrance, it is part of an orientation system for sailors that comprises two headlights placed in the dunes in front of the bar.
Tunnel – It’s a lovely walk, and contemplating the opposing sides of the tunnel is a beautiful experience. The tranquil waters of the Bay on one side, the turbulent seas of the Atlantic Ocean crashing violently on the cliffs on the other.
Frederico Ulrich Square Garden – A green leisure place devoted to children.
The viewpoint of the José Bento da Silva Square – Direct access to the Outeiro Elevator and a spectacular view of the Bay.
Ruins of the artisanal Customs where the caravels that participated in the explorations and conquests were made during the reigns of D. Afonso V and D. João II. Parts of the ships that transported D. Sebastio to Alcácer Quibir were also built here.
Little Slop (Salir do Porto) – This is a freshwater spring that emerges near the ocean. It is said to be miraculous water for various ailments, including characteristics that are useful to skin issues.
Dune (Salir do Porto) – Once Europe’s largest, the Dune of Salir stands out in the scenery of São Martinho Bay, with an altitude of around 50m and a length of 200m. The Dune’s core is made up of red sandstone, a remnant of an earlier fossil dune.
