The Estremadura on the lower half of the Costa de Prata (Silver Coast), is the alternative Algarve in every sense of the word. Discerning visitors who were familiar with the Algarve twenty years ago will find much that is familar here. Sixty miles north of Lisbon is an area totally unspoiled, which boasts quite an extraordinary wealth of architecture and fascinating towns. The beaches equal any in the Algarve, and the countryside is open and undeveloped with fertile rolling hills just as beautiful as the famous Minho ranges.

The Silver Coast is easily accessible from the main cities and airports, only forty minutes from Lisbon and two hours from Porto.
A modern Golf course has recently been opened and of course literally on the doorstep a host of watersports, horseriding, tennis, etc. There are many interesting sights for all the family within close range, or perhaps you would prefer to just laze away your days at the side of the pool.
Eating out is very reasonable and the local dishes are quite delicious, with a wide selection of restaurants to choose from, ranging from the small local tavernas to quite up market restaurants. Children of any age are welcome in restaurants in Portugal.
Night life can vary from sitting outside listening to the crickets over a bottle of wine, to rustic dancing in the street at one of the village Festas. Or of course you can always dance the night away at a Discothèque until dawn.
We recommend starting a holiday in or nearCaldas da Rainha, which is perfectly situated in the heart of a fascinating list of places in the better guides. Make Caldas your base and you may find you do not want to wander far afield.

Caldas Da Rainha:- The spa of Caldas da Rainha gradually developed round the Free Hospital which was founded by Queen Leonor in 1485. Today it is an important fruit growing region and a centre for the production of traditional ceramics. A pleasant town with a wooded park and boating lake in the centre.
It is a traditional retreat for the Portuguese escaping the heat of the city of Lisbon. Popular for it's spa, clean air, and nearby beaches.
Caldas is a working and regional market town, with three markets every weekday. It has city status and was founded by Queen Leonor who formed the thermal hospital at the springs.

Fruit market:- The daily fruit market is central to the activity; it sells fruit, vegetables, nuts, cheese and some basket wear and ceramics. You can then take a stroll through the pedestrian precinct from the fruit market, with its great variety of clothes and shoe shops.

Fish Market:- The covered fish market. The fish sold here is caught by the fisherman of Nazare and Peniche. Sardines are traditionally cooked over barbecues outdoors. Try pouring a little olive oil over your boiled potatoes for a Portuguese lunch.

Small Daily Market:- In the car park opposite the fish market there is a durable goods market every weekday. This sells clothes, shoes, fishing nets etc.

Quayside Market:- Most days there are a few market stalls on the harbour square at Foz do Arelho beach, especially on Sunday mornings.

Monday Market:- Every Monday there is a massive market just out of town.. This market sells everything from Tractors and chickens, to shoes and furniture. Barbecued chicken is served in the tent style restaurants.

Banks:- Most banks are open from 9 to 3 on weekdays. If you are changing money or travellers cheques the charge is often 6 to 10 euros per transaction (not per cheque). So change as much as possible at one time to avoid repeated charges. Most major credit/bank cards will give you cash from the many Multibanco machines around towns. The machine should instruct you in your own language, just enter your PIN number at the prompt.

Shops:- Shops often close between 1 and 3 for lunch, many of the small supermarkets are now open all day. There are several hypermarkets which are open all day, 7 days a week. At the hypermarket credit cards are accepted. Just push the green button twice on the electronic terminal at the checkout.

Eating Out:- Unlike other regions of Portugal, around Caldas it is normal to have one portion between two people, or in the restaurants which give you two prices the lesser price is for half portions (meia doce - pronounced maya dose). One portion will often feed three kids. Half a portion will feed one adult. Credit cards are now taken in many restaurants, but you will often find the smaller places have barely heard of them. Often this is where you will eat the genuine local dishes.

Off the beaten track:- Recommended in the Daily Telegraph, Restaurant 'A Lareira' (upper price range). Adults are not encouraged to share one portion at this restaurant. The waiters mostly speak English. Halfway between Caldas and Foz turn towards Alto do Nobre at the sign.

French Cuisine:- 'Comme Chez Nous.' Situated in the road in front of the Park in Caldas, this restaurant has a variety of French and Portuguese dishes. Imaginative and very tasty. You will find their dishes of the day on a blackboard over the fireplace. Medium price range, no half portions, and they speak English. They also have a special menu of selected European beers. Try the 'Kwak' - the beer is good, strong and comes in an interesting glass!

Good value:- 'A Ribetajana.' The only place we know where fish is almost as reasonably priced as meat. (when grilled it is often over cooked, we recommend 'a monier' or fried). Their speciality is Javali (Wild boar).

Thai food:- The only Thai restaurant North of the Algarve, and the best Thai restaurant south of Paris (according to the Thai Embassy) is 'Supatra' , (upper price range - no half portions). The only restaurant we know that has a vegetarian dish on their menu.

The best T-bone Steak:- The traditional steak restaurant known as Solar dos Amigos (mid price range) It looks rough, but you will have the best Steak in the region cooked before you on an open fire. Adega Velha, in the village of Fanadia. Recommended are Bacalhau a Lagareiro (salted cod, garlic, oil, and small potatoes in their skins), Entrecosto (pork ribs) and Trancha de Novilho (beef fillet on a skewer).

NEARBY PLACES TO VISIT.

Caldas da Rainha is perfectly situated in the heart of so many places of interest, including the picturesque mediaeval walled town of Obidos. And with the capital city of Lisbon being so close, only 40 minutes from Caldas, how could we start anywhere else?