São Martinho do Porto

São Martinho do Porto is a small coastal town on the Silver Coast, roughly between Nazaré and Caldas da Rainha. It has a population of around 5–6 thousand people.

The town’s main feature is its perfectly round bay, connected to the ocean by a narrow channel. This creates much calmer waters than the open Atlantic, making it historically a family-friendly resort.

Key Features

• Shell-shaped bay — a rare natural formation in Portugal

• Calm water — ideal for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding

• Small, well-kept town center with a waterfront promenade and restaurants

• Coastal hiking trails around the bay, which are a highlight of the area.; Below see the list of hiking trails:

• Quebrada do Almeirão – a coastal trail with scenic cliffside views, relatively short and easy.

• Quebrada Marina da Serra – a slightly longer trail, offering panoramic views over the ocean and surrounding hills.

• Quebrada Velha – an old path along the cliffs, quieter and less frequented.

• Quebrada dos Batos – a path that can get you to the Praia da Pipoca – a small beach near the cliffs, often less crowded than the main bay. Just be careful there.

• Quebrada de São Romeu – a trail connecting the town outskirts with small viewpoints over the bay. Walk to Capela de Santa Ana – a small chapel on the cliffs with views over the bay.

• Quebrada Larga – a wider trail, good for walks with less steep sections.

• North trail (toward Salir do Porto): climbs up the cliffs for panoramic views of the whole bay. You can also reach the dunes and a long sandy beach.

• South trail (toward the lighthouse, Farol): a wilder section with cliffs and open ocean views — great for sunsets.

There are much safer trails and passes closer to the São Martinho do Porto. One of them is Passadiços da Baía de São Martinho do Porto, - wooden walkways along parts of the bay, perfect for easy walks with scenic viewpoints and access to several trails.

Overall, if you like hiling, this is a nice spot to stay 1–2 nights to relax away from more touristy places like Nazaré while still enjoying the ocean and coastal scenery.