After leaving Sintra, we headed to the coast – about 5 miles as the crow flies but a 30 minute drive down the mounting. Similar the California, a lot of microclimates – it was 95 degrees Lisbon, 85 degrees in Sintra village, and 75 degrees at the Palace at the top of the mountain – not a cloud in the sky. At the coast, it was 60 degrees foggy. We started at Cabo da Roca which is the westernmost point of continental Europe and drove to Nazare – stopping for dinner in Ericeira.
Cabo da Roca 
Ericeria – shielded beach
I was looking forward to using a body board on the 100 foot waves in Nazare…but the waves were only 10-15 feet on the north beach and no one was in the water. It was rough and the only people surfing or using a body board was on the south beach which was partially protected and in a limited area. Maybe 5 foot waves and packed with people. Also – the water was mid-60s and a little cold without a wet suit. So I rented a bike and rode up the coast a couple of hours to San Pedro de Moel on the “Estrada Atlantica” bike path while Sharon and Annelise relaxed in Nazare.
Top of the cliff in Nazare 
4 hours later 
North of Nazare 
North of Nazare 
Top of our Street in Nazare 
View from AirBNB 
10-15 foot waves – no one in the water 
Pit stop on bike ride 
South Beach of Nazare – shielded with much smaller waves 
Sharon and Annelise enjoying the beach while I was working hard on my bike ride 
Sharon and Annelise enjoying the beach while I was working hard on my bike ride
Pretty much the entire coast going north from Cabo da Roca to Figueira da Foz is a potential part-time retirement spot – the further north you go it is harder to get to Lisbon. You would have to have a car.
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