3 Nights on Beach Somewhere Between Porto and Lisbon

Rick's Portugal book lists a few hotels (some quite affordable) on the beachfront in Nazare (served by long-distance bus or just a short bus connection from Valado train station). Just south of there, the town of Sao Martinho is on both the coast and the train line. Or will you be driving, and able to reach anything that strikes your fancy, and looking out for "quartos" signs?

Hi Laura We will be driving. Does 'quartos' mean quarters or places to stay? I'm wondering if we should just travel down the coast and look for a place. I do like the idea of staying in one place for all 3 nights, but I'm having a little trouble coming up with the perfect place. Thanks for your reply. Lisa

Quarto - room or bedroom

Quartos - plural - rooms or bedrooms

hi Lisa, the silver coast area of Portugal is amazing. Beaches near Aveiro offer a small town feeling but still close to the city to give you all the amenities such as movie theaters, shopping malls, public transportation. Try looking up Praia da Costa Nova or Praia da Barra. HomeAway is a very dependable site for private home/apartment rentals sometimes right on the beach at only a fraction of the cost of hotels. I've used them before and I've never been disappointed.
Cris

I'm currently spending a week in Sao Martinho do Porto. I'm looking out at the bay as I write this. There are lots of condos/apartments very close to the beach. We have visited Nazarre but I like Sao Martinho better because the town is smaller but still has everything we need. I would recommend Sao Martinho hIghly - especially if you will be here other times besides July and August.

We enjoyed nazare very much. Wide relaxing sandy beach and vg walkabout town.

Costa Nova by Aveiro. Check and see if air B&B has something.