Read today's Portuguese stories delivered to your email Following undertaking her university degree in English with American Literature in the UK Cristina da Costa Brookes moved back to Portugal to pursue a career in Journalism where she has worked at The Portugal News for 3 years Cristina’s passion lies with Arts & Culture as well as sharing all important community-related news We appreciate that not everyone can afford to pay for our services but if you are able to we ask you to support The Portugal News by making a contribution – no matter how small You can change how much you give or cancel your contributions at any time Send us your comments or opinion on this article Reaching over 400,000 people a week with news about Portugal The hosting of major sporting events is a long-used two-way tact in politics In one obvious way it draws attention and trade to a single area to show off its vibrance and friendliness to business but it also deflects attention away from things that are going wrong or are making political parties in particular unpopular the FIFA World Cup and Formula 1 races are obvious examples There are nationwide local elections in Portugal later this year and obviously a generation shaped by one financial crisis and now being hit by a second one induced by the COVID-19 pandemic have a lot on their minds on what issues they will be voting on a small city on the western coast and one of the oldest known settlements in northern Portugal one political candidate is aiming to get elected by bringing motorsport to the streets representing the Social Democratic Party (PSD) president of Portugal’s motorsport federation FPAK They discussed Soares’ intention to use the coastal roads as the basis of a street circuit that will hold races starting from 2022 and according to his local party branch he “received enthusiastic support and willingness to cooperate to make this goal a reality” from FPAK Vila do Conde first hosted motorsport in 1931 the same year as future Portuguese Grand Prix venue Porto and current World Touring Car Championship track Vila Real with strong support chiefly from the local mayor and tourism commission that enabled several race weekends to take place Despite a popular first year there was no 1932 return an economic downturn and a world war meant the area wasn’t used again for motorsport until 1951 The circuit used had a pit straight close to a kilometre long and led into a 90-degree right-hander that after a short straight headed towards another right-hander The following straight joined onto the riverside Avenida Julio Graca via the high-speed Rio right-hander with a flatout kink coming halfway down that road before cars slowed down on the very tip of the Portuguese coastline to turn back onto the pit straight as Castle corner Local politics were key to Vila do Conde’s annual presence on the racing calendar with tourism becoming an increasing part of the area’s economy – particularly in summer So popular did it get that there were plans to hold endurance races too Being in sight of the waves of the Atlantic Ocean took its toll on the track surface particularly Avenida Julio Graca and the pit straight where there was only a few poles and wooden structures between the track and the sea and in 1966 the races were hit by a typical coastal storm that made the inclusion of motorcycle races in particular difficult to run and led to many wall-destroying accidents That was also the first year junior single-seaters took to the streets In 1968 there was a memorable incident where the temporary barrier system prevented a driver from flying off track and straight into a major body of water but the next level of defence behind wires and barriers was Circuit renovations in 1970 included relaying the weather-worn asphalt and shortening the pit straight to avoid a cobbled section after turn one with the corner after that now a chicane and a right-hander The safety improvements were popular but not totally effective and Formula Ford and FVee made their last appearance in 1972 before further safety changes came Racing stopped entirely soon after anyway with political turmoil after turmoil as Portugal fought to retain its colonies then got hit hard by the 1973 oil crisis and topped everything off by overthrowing its authoritarian republic in 1974 And that is where the modern-day revival bid for racing at Vila do Conde kind of begins The circuit was back in use by the 1980s once the country transitioned to democracy and held races all the way through to 2003 with further route changes including a second chicane before Avenida Julio Graca to lower the entry speeds there and then a tight chicane where the flatout Seca kink used to be [A modern version of the track is pictured above] Single-seaters even returned for the circuit’s first ever international event in 1999 when alongside Spanish GT there was a visit by the Portuguese Formula BMW championship (later known as the FBMW Iberia Junior Cup) but faster modern cars added complications that meant the first corner had to be reworked to lower speeds and the evolving landscape of the area from urban regeneration made it less and less suitable for racing A fortnight after the peaceful military and civilian coup that brought down the Estado Novo regime in April 1974 the PSD was created and became a mainstay of Portuguese politics that has been in and out of government multiple times since 1979 the PSD’s vice-president Rui Rio became mayor of Portugal’s second largest city Porto His first year in office was mired by his opposition to the construction of the FC Porto football club’s new stadium which some believed was going to come in at a cost of €90 million to the region At one point he did get construction to pause but then required a police escort as he became an unpopular figure Porto really didn’t think Rio liked their sport But fast forward two years and Rio was pushing for a sporting celebration by bringing back Porto’s Boavista street circuit and then in December 2006 dipped into the public purse to bring the WTCC to Porto on a bi-annual basis at an estimated €3,705,000 cost per event and with the removal of tram lines from the streets to be used for racing and towards the end of that spell in 2013 said: “I will experience this edition of the Circuito da Boavista exactly the same way and I hope my successors won’t waste the investment we have made with the aim of strengthening an internationally renowned mark of this city When it came to running the next scheduled race in 2015 his successors at Porto City Council promptly said no Portugal’s tourism board had slashed its event investment the council wanted to give people their trams back and work on other developments in the area was already taking place And Rio had left office just as the political picture was being upheaved In an attempt to increase government efficiency Portugal embarked on a nationwide gerrymandering in 2013 that by changing or aggregating the borders of constituencies led to larger and far fewer electing parishes In Porto the number of parishes was slashed by 36.55% and by 30% in the Vila do Conde county that lies within the district it makes each battleground more important in electoral terms and PSD’s political fortunes began to tumble It won the 2015 general election in a coalition but the government it formed lasted only 11 days before being thrown out and it lost many seats in the 2017 local elections In Vila do Conde its vote share went from 34.86% to 15.49% between 2013 and 2017 and the results were so bad that it triggered a leadership contest The new man elected to lead the party would be Rio Rio had to fend off a leadership challenge within his first 12 months then following the PSD’s worst ever national election result and then its second worst ever general election he started 2020 with another no-confidence motion The political gains the party have made have been controversial ones Reviving Circuito de Vila do Conde may be a small answer to PSD’s large problem but it’s a card that it has played (quite possibly in desperation) before PSD’s Vila do Conde candidate also met Amorim Their electoral promise was to bring back the circuit and they presented a detailed logistical plan of how that would be possible FPAK said it would “make every effort to make this project feasible which we believe to be of the greatest interest to national motorsport but also to all villagers” Preliminary investigating had already taken place on the feasibility of a return of racing there given the seafront area had been developed and the width of some of the circuit roads had changed entirely But the WTCC’s late move to Vila Real’s streets for 2015 had got motorsport fans encouraged by the possibility that anything could happen in a country that had spent four years being bailed out during the global financial crisis and where anti-austerity was the hottest political take This time around it could be an idea that goes somewhere if PSD does win especially as Portugal is riding a new wave of motorsport enthusiasm with the return of F1 a Formula E champion in Antonio Felix da Costa and its first MotoGP winner Rio’s knowledge of what it takes to clear the administrative hurdles to hold a street circuit event means he can lend personal support and well as the support of the national party to the plans in Viola do Conde and he had a good relationship with FPAK when he was Porto mayor Of course the PSD being in opposition in the national assembly means he can’t access public funds as before but in the same way the relocation of the United Kingdom’s World Rally Championship rally has become a point of parliamentary debate he could get greater interest in the circuit proposal just by raising it in the assembly chamber And the organising team at FPAK knows how to make street circuits safe for single-seaters too having brought International Formula Master to Porto in 2007 FIA Formula 3 engineer Pedro Matos raced in one of those FFord meetings in Porto and it’s that championship – which confusingly rebranded itself as Single Seater Series last year – that would be one of the more likely visitors to Vila do Conde if PSD gets elected and the 2022 racing weekend goes ahead Formula Scout understands Spanish-organised single-seater series are uninterested in involving themselves in the logistics of the event leaving FFord as an obvious candidate series Matos’ motorsport interest was actually sparked by watching races on the 2.78km Vila do Conde track as his father (pictured above) raced there during the final years of the circuit’s use but it used to [attract] so many people,” says Matos “People from the north of Portugal are very fond of racing also a lot because of Vila do Conde My first memories of racing are from there from watching my dad in Castelo corner in his yellow Opel Manta.” While safety advancements reduced how close spectators got to the action the racing was spectacular to watch from any point due to the track’s high-speed layout that rewarded absolute bravery Cars that carried too much speed into corners would slide laterally on the tyres and that wasn’t helped by the track often having sand being blown onto it from the coast That made turn one particularly exciting as the rear could step as soon as drivers hit the brakes and spectators were on the edge of their seats when there were side-by-side battles through the final Castle corner where understeer could turn into snap oversteer particularly if a dab of the brakes was needed A circuit very much about what you do with the weight of the car rather than what you do with the steering wheel It wasn’t just the grandstands that were filled as you would often see garden chairs sat on the top of nearby houses as 1000s flocked to the bay to watch the action Even parades of classic road and racing cars in recent years have been popular Portugal will again host an F1 race this year at the very spacious and isolated Algarve circuit but Vila Real is on the World Touring Car Cup calendar once again in June and will be only the second attempt at street circuit racing in Europe with a multi-series meeting since before the global pandemic This is a significant landmark as even FE has only managed to run on European streets once in the last 12 months – last weekend’s Rome E-Prixs – and currently plans to do so only once more in 2021 with the Monaco E-Prix FE’s race meetings currently run without support series and Monaco organiser Automobile Club de Monaco will use its E-Prix to warm itself up for the challenges of hosting F1 Formula 2 and the Porsche Supercup together later in the month Nobody knows how long the pandemic will truly last but a return of motorsport to Vila do Conde could well be one of the first highlights of a post-pandemic world in summer 2022 Despite continuing political pressure for a final and definitive cancellation of the event the Pau Grand Prix is on track to be run in 2022 and is highly likely to feature on the Euroformula calendar again as it famously did in 2019 The championship still intends to visit Macau with a final decision by the Chinese special administrative region’s local sporting department yet to made on whether to use the Dallara 320 car or FIA Formula 3’s Dallara F3 2019 machine but Chinese Formula 4 has already announced it will repeat its 2020 visit and will also return to the Wuhan street circuit Formula 2 is headed to Baku and Sochi this year and there is very little that will stop those events going ahead unless the number of COVID-19 cases exponentially climb Indy Lights is headed to Toronto and returning to Detroit for the first time since 2012 Petersburg in two weeks’ time along with Indy Pro 2000 and USF2000 Established in 2011 and previously found at PaddockScout.com Formula Scout is home to regular news and features from the world of junior single-seater racing tracking the progress of future grand prix stars We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze how you use this website and provide the content and advertisements that are relevant to you These cookies will only be stored in your browser with your prior consent You can choose to enable or disable some or all of these cookies but disabling some of them may affect your browsing experience Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns More than a week after a livestock carrier capsized and sank at Porto Vila do Conde in Barcarena failure to deal with the carcasses of thousands of drowned cows is becoming a health and environmental concern for nearby residents built 1994) was carrying 5,000 head of cattle destined for Venezuela On October 6 while moored at Porto Vila do Conde Crew members evacuated safely but almost all the cows were less fortunate Now decomposing animals on the beach are raising a stench but as yet no group has stepped forward to handle the problem The cattle were owned by beef producer Minerva SA which says the contracted shipping company (not named) is responsible for the cargo The Haidar belongs to Tamar Shipping of Lebanon Local authorities in Barcarena – in Para State in the north of Brazil – want all port activity suspended to prioritize disposing of the rotting animal remains They should be bright yellow so they are visible in the ocea.. 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Rio Ave produced the second big upset in the Primeira Liga this weekend after sensationally defeating Porto 3-1 in Vila do Conde The promoted club took a 3-0 lead into the break after Aziz scored twice either side of creating a goal for Pedro Amaral Sérgio Conceição made three changes at the break in an attempt to turn the tide Mehdi Taremi missing a golden chance to close the gap from the penalty spot The Dragons huffed and puffed but couldn't find a way back against a dogged home side Toni Martínez’s added time goal far too little too late PortGOAL’s Matthew Marshall reports from Estádio dos Arcos Fábio Ronaldo fired the first warning of the game with his shot tipped wide by Diogo Costa The pitch appeared heavy and waterlogged in areas perhaps a deliberate plot to slow down the Dragons’ attack Bruno Costa saw his shot blocked before Evanilson fired wide Porto continually probing around Rio Ave’s 18-yard box The hosts stood strong and withstood the early pressure before taking the lead in the 22nd minute Pepe raced off his line to close down Fábio Ronaldo the 21-year-old playing it first time to Aziz Yakubu who went through the gap Iván Marcano unable to recover in time with the Ghanaian striker nonchalantly steering the ball past Diogo Costa Rio Ave were doing exactly what is necessary at home in a David vs Goliath clash passion and a high work rate to keep the home crowd on side The Vila do Conde club had only just got started however drilling the ball across the face of goal where Pedro Amaral was left completely unmarked to convert from close range Porto’s finishing would be their downfall all evening long in Vila do Conde Pepê Aquino shooting straight at Jhonathan before a weak Evanilson header provided the Brazilian goalkeeper with a routine save Rio Ave were not done and made it 3-0 on the stroke of half-time the left back sending a dangerous cross into the box where Aziz got behind Marcano and headed the ball past Costa Sérgio Conceição made a triple substitution at the break with Galeno Gabriel Veron and Toni Martínez replacing João Mário going on a driving run and playing in Toni Martínez who saw his shot blocked by Aderlan Santos Pepe fired into the side netting after staying up after a set piece as Rio Ave were unable to get out of their own half Zaidu Sanusi’s cross then hit the back Costinha’s arm with the right-back turned away from the ball Tiago Martins booked Sérgio Conceição on the way to view replays on the touchline monitor before awarding a penalty Mehdi Taremi slamming it off the woodwork and away from danger Gabriel Veron’s shot was saved and a fierce Toni Martínez strike saw Jhonathan tip the ball over the bar Luís Freire’s side were under the pump and unable to get out of their own half the Rio Ave manager making two changes in the 69th minute with Vítor Gomes and Emmanuel Boateng coming on for Amine Oudrhiri and Aziz Conceição responded by introducing André Franco for Iván Marcano which saw Mateus Uribe drop into central defence Galeno was unable to affect the game without open space to run into as Rio Ave continually sat deep Paulo Vitor and Ukra replaced Pedro Amaral and Joca in the 83rd minute with Vitor immediately involved going on a driving run that came to an end when he was taken down by Veron replacing Fábio Ronaldo who got a standing ovation for his efforts It was an action-packed eight minutes of added time André Franco forcing a smart save from Jhonathan before Martínez rose highest to head home Pepê Aquino’s cross Galeno couldn’t finish after going on a surging run and Otávio missed a great chance before the home crowd could finally celebrate their first victory against Porto since 2004 after a run of 36 consecutive games without a win Rio Ave supporters were fuming after the first home game this season, a 1-0 defeat to Vizela where they failed to register a shot on target They vented their anger towards President António Silva Campos after the final whistle with all the pre-season optimism seemingly going out the window It didn’t get much better in a 3-0 defeat to Sporting CP in Lisbon Luís Freire’s side gaining some much needed confidence with a 2-2 draw at Estoril last week They brought it back to Vila do Conde where they produced the second big upset in the Primeira Liga this weekend Freire has some more options up front with Hernâni & Emmanuel Boateng signed in the transfer window but it’s going to take something special to oust Fábio Ronaldo and Aziz after this performance let's see if Freire can get the same passion and effort out of his side week in week out Porto got out of jail in Vizela where Iván Marcano’s late header secured a 1-0 victory Their struggles on the road continued in Vila do Conde where Sérgio Conceição can have no complaints about the 3-1 defeat Conceição’s tactics simply don’t appear to be working away from Estádio Do Dragão the opposition congesting the middle of the pitch and forcing the Dragons to go wide where it’s only the full-backs providing any real threat this defeat is likely to see some personnel changes with the first one obvious Conceição has probably been waiting for an excuse to drop Iván Marcano and bring David Carmo into the team Let’s see what else the Porto boss has in store for the trip to Barcelos next week It has been an exhilarating summer for the School of Film, Media, & Theatre’s Professor Daniel Robin who travelled to Portugal in July to present his new film short "All the Leaves Are Brown" at the prestigious Curtas Vila Do Conde – International Film Festival Director of CommunicationsCollege of the Arts As one of the most important and top ten film festivals for short films in the world, Professor Robin (Film and Digital Media Production) was one of a few American filmmakers that was invited to the festival alongside a highly competitive field of internationally acclaimed filmmakers such as Laura Poitras (of Citizefour – the Edward Snowden documentary) Jia Zangke (multiple Cannes feature competition films) and Ben Rivers (the celebrated British experimental documentary filmmaker) Professor Robin (2nd from the right) at a panel discussion with fellow filmmakers “Having my film selected to screen in the International Competition at Curtas Vila Do Conde has been one of the most gratifying experiences I’ve had as a filmmaker with my experiences screening films at Sundance,” said Robin “The quality of filmmaking at Curtas Vila Do Conde is rich with innovation and risk and the conversation with filmmakers nourishing leaving me with a profound sense of both melancholy and joy when the festival was over.” "All the Leaves Are Brown" is an 11-minute autobiographical reflection on film, in which Robin turns to nostalgia for the past and for his life in California (as in the music of The Mamas & The Papas that the title suggests) in imprinted on the beautiful landscapes shot in Super8 (More info here) Tapping into the talents and resources of College of the Arts Professor Robin collaborated with School of Music’s Professor Gordon Vernick who played trumpet for the film's closing credits What's next? Look for the "All the Leaves Are Brown" at the 19th annual Sidewalk Film Festival in Birmingham in August Congrats to Professor Robin for this prestigious and important honor Filed Under: Academic Unit News Advance Your Craft Without Putting Your Career on Hold: Georgia State’s Low-Residency MM in Conducting Jennifer Barker Appointed Director of School of Film, Media & Theatre M.F.A. Film Candidate Deena Ramadan is Set to Embark on Creative Filmmaking Journey with Open Options Georgia State Soprano Graces Commencement Stage With Final Performances of National Anthem Dr. Serena Scibelli Joins School of Music as Assistant Professor of Violin College of the Arts Newshub   Diálogo Américas agents of the Brazilian Federal Police (PF) and the Brazilian Federal Revenue made the largest seizure of drugs ever recorded in Pará state The operation took place in the Port of Vila do Conde where authorities seized nearly 3 tons of cocaine Investigations indicated that the drug was bound for Sines The operation had the help of a sniffer dog still registers the highest drug movement in the country the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) indicated in an early July report that narcotrafficking is moving to smaller ports in the country which recorded no drug seizures between 2009 and 2018 authorities seized 1,462 kilograms of drugs in 2019 and 1,430 kg in 2021 “This was one of the largest seizures of cocaine in Brazilian ports The action was the result of a continuous investigation that the institutions carried out but a police investigation was opened to gather evidence that points to the authors of this crime,” the PF said in a statement The Pará-Portugal route is already well known to federal security agencies in the region as it is widely used to access Europe by waterway with the aim of serving warrants in cities in Pará against international narcotrafficking The operation was conducted with the participation of the Portuguese Judicial Police and the European Union law enforcement agency Europol with the support of the Brazilian Federal Revenue During the operation the PF served 22 search and seizure warrants as part of an investigation into the exportation of 320 kg of cocaine seized in Portugal at the end of June The cocaine smuggled into Portugal was hidden in a large cargo of açai also shipped via the Port of Vila do Conde the Portuguese police arrested two people for international narcotrafficking from Paraíba state whom authorities caught in the act Europol cooperated with the PF and the Portuguese Judiciary Police to continue the investigations and dismantle the criminal group Authorities arrested Marco Antônio Faria Júnior who described himself as a nutritionist on social networks and boasted a life of luxury and travel A third person was arrested a week later while trying to return to Brazil “The search and seizure warrants served this morning [October 5] occurred at residences and businesses suspected of being part of a criminal group that takes large amounts of cocaine to Europe Electronic devices and documents that can strengthen the investigation and indicate the possible participation of other people in the crimes were seized,” the PF said in a statement a fourth person from Pará was arrested when he arrived at Tom Jobim international airport He was also a native of the municipality of Barcarena and was considered a fugitive suspected of participating in a scheme to send cocaine mixed in a cargo of açai to Europe he presented his passport with the name of another Brazilian national According to information from federal authorities the detainees and the suspects may be involved in a much larger scheme run by Ruben Oliveira considered the biggest Portuguese drug dealer known as Major Carvalho and the Brazilian Escobar For more on security and defense issues around the globe Latest UpdatesCountries Why Join?IL MagazineFree Daily E-LetterVideoOur ExpertsTestimonialsFAQsTopics Living overseas since 2011 Terry and her husband went on a housesitting assignment to Portugal in 2018 and they knew they’d found a place they wanted to call home In recent years, Portugal has become one of the most livable destinations in the world not only for retirees but also for digital nomads and young families with children It’s not surprising given its endless miles of Atlantic coastline Portugal offers seaside living for almost every budget this part of the country sparkles like an emerald with lush But more green means that the area receives more rain Most of the rain falls during the winter months leaving the rest of the year for sunbathing while summers are mild and never get too hot less than an hour’s drive from the Spanish border features a 16th-century church and town hall and a sprinkling of restaurants offering the freshest seafood at affordable prices With rich ties to the cod fishing and shipbuilding industry this compact town offers a slice of Portuguese life and culture Viana do Castelo is situated at the estuary of the Lima River with pristine Atlantic coast beaches nearby and others who enjoy the natural surroundings and white supple sand Life in this affordable haven comes complete with a private hospital Here's a breakdown of a budget for a couple living in Viana do Castelo Just a 30-minute drive from the beloved city of Porto is the coastal town of Vila do Conde this charming stretch of scenic coastline is frequented by Portuguese families who delight in the relaxed vibe It’s situated at the mouth of the Ave River which divides the beaches into two distinct types—a more tranquil area for families on one side and a surfer’s paradise on the other Once a center for shipbuilding and seafaring life in Vila do Conde revolves around the sea The women here still produce traditional bobbin lace with intricate designs inspired by the sea But you’ll also find all the necessary amenities and gyms offer expats who choose to live here all the comforts of home It’s also easy to get to Porto by car or public transportation A couple can live nicely in Vila do Conde for $2,500 a month or less It is possible to rent a two-bedroom apartment just a short walk to the beach for under $1,000 a month Here's a sample monthly budget for a couple living in Vila do Conde Often dubbed “the Venice of Portugal,” the picturesque city of Aveiro is a livable Portuguese city with all the modern amenities needed to make it home Aveiro does have its share of tourists who come to relish the charms of the colorful boats called “moliceiros,” once used to collect seaweed but now serve only to transport tourists Just a ten-minute drive from the center of Aveiro are the multi-level candy-striped homes that face the seafront in an area called the Costa Nova this magical little village offers a relaxing vibe picture yourself living in one of the darling shanties and grab a giant draft beer called “a caneca” while you sun your buns It is possible to find a long-term rental with sea views for $1100 or perhaps to find less costly places just ten minutes away in Aveiro you would need to commute to Aveiro for groceries Here is a sample monthly budget for a couple living in Costa Nova or Aveiro: Discover why we love a slower pace of life Portugal and info on other European countries in our daily postcard e-letter Simply enter your email address below and we’ll send you a FREE REPORT – Explore the Old World in Laidback Portugal Considered by some to be the “real Portugal,” the Silver Coast begins below the city of Aveiro near the coast of Figueira da Foz and extends north to Lisbon Named for the color reflected off the ocean waves when illuminated by the sun the area receives a good amount of rain per year and springlike summers for those who cannot take the heat the Silver Coast is bursting with potential and affordable seaside options The parish of Nadadouro sits on the border of the well-known lagoon of Óbidos, Portugal’s largest coastal lagoon. The tranquil lagoon empties into the Atlantic Ocean at Foz do Arelho, giving swimmers the best of both worlds. Just a short drive from Nadadouro and Foz do Arelho is the city of Caldas da Rainha The name Caldas da Rainha translates to “the queen’s baths” since the city was constructed around a thermal hospital The medieval village of Óbidos is just a short drive from the city center Óbidos comes alive with its medieval and chocolate festivals The coastal areas are a lively mix of beaches no vacation is complete without some relaxing family time on the beaches Here’s a sample budget for a couple living in Nadadouro/Foz do Arelho: The resort town of São Martinho do Porto sits on the north side of a sandy bay protected from the Atlantic Ocean by a rocky bluff the beaches are positioned along a horseshoe-shaped bay with tranquil waters the perfect spot for families with small children or the elderly On the south side of the resort is a raised walkway used to meander around the entire bay and admire the pristine natural surroundings the nearby city of Caldas da Rainha is just a twenty-minute commute and the municipality city of Leiria is just a bit further Here’s a sample budget for a couple living in São Martinho do Porto: The capital city of Lisbon and its environs offer some spectacular but expensive real estate and coastal havens. But with a bit of patience, it is possible to find bargains. The city of Setúbal has some of the country’s best beaches known for its stunning coast and crystal-clear waters long-term rentals can be found for $1000 or under if you look hard The industrial city of Setúbal sits on the northern bank of the Sado River estuary and has become a popular destination for expats from around the world Even the Portuguese find that living in Setúbal is more affordable and commuting into Lisbon for work—just thirty miles south—is doable on a daily basis The best part is that the city has some of the finest beaches in the country Praia da Albarquel and Praia da Saúde are within walking distance from the city center or a short commute for those living further out Setúbal has a large traditional mercado filled with produce along with restaurants to sample the goods Here is a sample budget for a couple living in Setúbal: The southernmost region of Portugal, the Algarve And it’s no wonder since the area boasts some of the best weather in Portugal and all of Europe dry summers and mild winters with little to no rain outdoor enthusiasts never have to stay inside walking along the stunning coastline is a favorite pastime for many who relish the clear the Algarve has some high-dollar real estate and rentals And because of the influx of English-speaking tourists during the summer months English is typically spoken by many of the locals The tranquil village of Armação de Pêra sits less than 10 miles from the party town of Albufeira in the central Algarve but offers a much different pace Colorful fishing boats can still be seen perched along the waterfront directly on the beach since there’s no harbor here Fishermen can be spotted mending their nets called “armaçãos”—Moorish apparatuses from centuries gone by the town retains its Old-World charm with small food stores and restaurants not far from the extensive sandy beaches It’s just a short commute into Albufeira for more options long-term rentals can be difficult to find in the Algarve Here is a sample budget for a couple living in Armação de Pêra: In the western Algarve, near the expat haven of Lagos sits the sleepy resort town of Praia da Luz the town is a tourist destination during the summer but takes on a more local vibe in the winter The town wraps around the sandy bay of beaches that are protected from the mighty Atlantic Ocean by towering black rock basalt headland Lagos is just a ten-minute drive from this coastal resort expats will find top-notch private hospitals and a large expat community to socialize with The turquoise waters of the beaches are dominated by craggy rock formations that form caves and grottoes—the ideal spot for adrenaline junkies to explore by boat or kayak and stairs that overlook the picturesque coastline Here is a sample budget of a couple living in Praia da Luz: In the eastern Algarve, not far from the Spanish border, is the village of Vila Real de Santo António The streets and main plaza of this coastal village look more like Lisbon than those of its neighboring towns like Tavira After the great earthquake of 1755 that destroyed Lisbon and other parts of Portugal this Algarve town was reconstructed using a design similar to Lisbon's the quaint village is lined with shops and restaurants catering to both tourists and locals alike Praia de Santo António is the easternmost beach in the Algarve and even in all of Portugal which leads into the border town with the same name this dazzling stretch of coastline is a favorite for nature lovers VRSA, as it’s called locally, is serviced by a private medical clinic. The nearest hospitals are located in Faro. A handful of shopping options exist in the town, but more can be found in nearby Tavira Here’s a sample budget of a couple living in Vila Real de Santo António: Portugal offers an array of stunning coastal towns Whether you’re looking for the lush landscapes of the north the historical richness of central Portugal or the sun-drenched beaches of the Algarve there’s a seaside spot to fit your budget and preferences and overall vibe of each location to find your perfect beach town in Portugal Business Director of VIA Outlets in Portugal said in a statement: “The opening of Boss is in line with our strategy of positioning based on the offer of major prestigious brands and on the affirmation of this centre as a reference space in the world of fashion The focus on the men’s segment is a conscious bet of Vila do Conde Porto Fashion Outlet  where practically half of the visitors are men.” Contact us: info@rli.uk.com Text description provided by the architects. The project concerns the construction of a passage through two buildings leading to a square which lies eight meter below, leveled by one elevator, inside the staircase. The passage works like an exhibition space, for paintings, sculptures and video arts. Conducts directly to the “Galleria Solar”, gallery which is specialized in cinematic art video and shortcut films. There is also a city bookshop. The original building was constructed in the sixteenth century, being deeply transformed in the eighteenth century. The refurbishment is done after the building was totally ruined. SectionBeing the passage a public space, which is opened from 8:00 am until 12:00pm, the art is protected by glass panels which are provided with natural heating and ventilation. In the middle of the passage, we left some remains, testimony of the sixteenth century original building: a stone portico and some steps characteristic of this period. © Fernando Guerra | FG+SGOn the first floor and in the attic, the space is converted into one student residence with eighteen bedrooms, kitchens and living spaces. Here, the strategy of the project is different. While on the ground floor, all the stone remain nude, without plaster and the floors are made of stone or cement, in the student residence, the space has been treated in terms of comfort: the floor was paved with wood and the walls were plastered and painted. PlansThe common areas of the residence communicate with the gallery through pre-existing windows that provide transparencies and interaction between the gallery, the artworks and the common areas of the residence. The building also communicates with the city through windows placed specifically to frame the special views of the monuments of the sixteenth century. © Fernando Guerra | FG+SGThe presence of the colored glass helps to make the transition between the historic manor house built in stone and the staircase constructed in pigmented concrete. Both materials went through unfinished treatments, evidencing the imperfection of the mankind. The space with the color glass illuminates the passage which incorporates a space for art exhibitions, introducing a section of cinematic gallery inside. © Fernando Guerra | FG+SGBy this way, people meet art when walking through the city public spaces, being directly confronted and surprised by the regular exhibitions of the gallery. It combines the old with the new design, taking the atmosphere and ambience of gothic vitrals into contemporary architecture. The way that the luminous color panel is seen at the entrance of the building, attracts people to come and see the bright colors: the light at the end of the tunnel. © Fernando Guerra | FG+SGThe Gallery was designed taking into account the principles of reuse of construction materials building material which predominates in the building complemented with pigmented concrete used in the construction of stairs and lift box This project exposed the enormous capacity for conversion of the granite material seen as natural and environmentally friendly The huge thermal inertia of the granite associated with its high density permits this material to be used as heat accumulator during the summer releasing the energy accumulated during the winter months thereby avoiding the use of forced air-conditioning spaces Our little contribution to the desirable sustainability You'll now receive updates based on what you follow Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors If you have done all of this and still can't find the email Starbucks has hit the milestone of 30 stores nationwide, with the opening of a new space at Vila do Conde Fashion Outlet has a usable area of ​​150 m2 and can seat 62 customers the first 100 customers to visit the store will receive an offer from the brand “We are very pleased to reach the milestone of 30 stores in Portugal it is a result of the success and acceptance of the brand in the market we reaffirm our commitment to offering a unique experience to consumers always maintaining the high quality of our coffee the new store promises to be a popular place for coffee lovers who visit the Vila do Conde Fashion Outlet” General Director of Starbucks Portugal and Spain As a barista for this location this is false information The store cannot sit 62 customers and it is a kiosk 43,000+ global companies doing business in the region 102,000+ key contacts related to companies and projects news and interviews about your industry in English Sporting Clube de Portugal secured a hard fought 1-0 victory against Rio Ave at Estádio dos Arcos Chances were few and far between in Vila do Conde Emanule Boateng with the first clear cut opportunity in the 53rd minute when he surged into the box but was unable to beat Adán The game was headed for a goalless draw until Sporting scored the decisive goal in the 84th minute Youssef Chermiti was in the right place at the right time the giant 18-year-old netting his first senior goal after his shot got past Jhonatan Chances were hard to come by in Vila do Conde Sporting showing more initiative with Manuel Ugarte firing over the bar Pote’s shot blocked and Hidemasa Morita missing the target from the edge of the 18-yard box The Lions were focusing all their attacks down the left wing Nuno Santos heavily involved but the Lions unable to test Jhonatan Rio Ave had to wait until the 36th minute to fire a shot in anger taking advantage of Morita’s turnover which resulted in Fábio Ronaldo’s shot deflected way over the bar The hosts had their best chance of the game shortly after the break but couldn’t take advantage beat Gonçalo Inácio and raced into the box but couldn't beat Adán who came off his line to make an important save Rúben Amorim made two changes in the 55th minute when Arthur Gomes and Francisco Trincão replaced Nuno Santos and Marcus Edwards his left-footed effort from distance skimming off the top of the bar Luís Freire went to his bench in the 65th minute Miguel Baeza and Leonardo Ruiz making way for Hernâni and André Pereira replaced by Miguel Nóbrega with Freire taking the opportunity to bring on João Graça for Boateng The game appeared to be headed towards a bore draw before the Lions broke the deadlock in the 84th minute Gonçalo Inácio’s hopeful pass evaded Patrick William the ball falling perfectly for Youssef Chermiti who struck the ball at Jhonatan the Brazilian keeper getting plenty of purchase on it but unable to prevent the ball from rolling into the net Ousmane Diomande and Héctor Bellerín came off to make their debuts as Sporting closed it out gaining confidence before hosting Porto at Estádio José Alvalade on Sunday Youssef Chermiti was handed his first senior start in Sporting’s 5-0 demolition of Braga last week producing a strong all round performance and assisting Hidemasa Morita with a clever backheel The 6’3 18-year-old tried hard to bring his teammates into play in Vila do Conde but was largely starved of service in a match with few chances his debut goal an important one that gave his side all three points He celebrated enthusiatically with the weary travelling support who had to endure another 9.15pm Monday night kickoff cherishing a moment he will remember for the rest of his career By Matthew Marshall at Estádio dos Arcos A livestock carrier loaded with cattle turned over alongside a pier at the Port of Vila do Conde in Barcarena had just loaded approximately 5,000 cattle and was departing for Venezuela when the ship started taking on water and eventually capsized next to the pier Photos and video of the scene show cattle scrambling up the side of the vessel and others swimming in the water The beef producer Minerva SA is now saying thousands of cattle are thought to have perished in the incident The producer said that responsibility lies with the shipping agents The local port authority Companhia Docas do Pará is expected to launch an investigation into the incident The 6,449 DWT MV Haider is one of six livestock carriers owned by Tamara Shipping Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter and never miss an update and updates delivered daily straight to your inbox Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Iran on Wednesday that it will face consequences for supporting the Houthis even as the United States has relaunched talks with Iran over its nuclear program The US economy contracted at the start of the year for the first time since 2022 on a monumental pre-tariffs import surge and more moderate consumer spending a first snapshot of the ripple effects from President Donald Trump’s trade policy President Donald Trump’s tariff onslaught has roiled Washington and Wall Street for nearly a month the next upheaval will hit much closer to home Subscribe to gCaptain Daily and stay informed with the latest global maritime and offshore news Stay informed with the latest maritime and offshore news For general inquiries and to contact us,please email: [email protected] To submit a story idea or contact our editors, please email: [email protected] For advertising opportunities contactEmail: [email protected]Phone: +1.805.704.2536 Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page a joint venture between Golar LNG and Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners has executed a memorandum of understanding with Norsk Hydro to develop the first LNG terminal in the north of Brazil The project will enable the supply of LNG to Norsk Hydro’s Alunorte refinery plant located close to the Vila do Conde Port in the municipality of Barcarenal Alunorte will also be the first operational customer for the Barcarena FSRU that Golar Power plans to bring into operation during the first half of 2022 A final investment decision on the project is expected this year The LNG terminal aims to supply gas to Alunorte and also to the Centrais Elétricas Barcarena thermal power plant previously contracted under a 25-year contract The project will fulfil Norsk Hydro’s 2017 commitment to the Pará state government to pursue a natural gas-based energy solution for one of the world’s largest aluminium plants.  “We are delighted to be helping Norsk Hydro achieve its ambitious global sustainability goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030 and at the same time contributing to a significant reduction in energy prices and environmental emissions within the entire north region of Brazil The project should have the potential to significantly reduce energy costs support environmentally responsible and sustainable industrial growth throughout this immense region and facilitate the unlocking of its unique natural resource endowment and economic potential,” said Eduardo Antonello Golar Power estimates a potential for replacing approximately 1.8m tons of LNG equivalents per annum of LPG Shipowners Company news Statutes and Rules parts of the Amazonas and Pará states have recorded lower-than-expected levels of rain The ongoing drought is expected to last until at least December 2023 according to the National Center for Natural Disaster Monitoring and Alerts (Cemaden) This means that some rivers may not reach their normal levels this year The situation has been further aggravated by the fact that Manaus is amid an environmental crisis with fires in the region producing a thick cloud of smoke further hampering navigability in the rivers several restrictions now apply to inland navigation Below is an update related to some of the key ports and rivers: Manaus: Cabotage services to and from Manaus have temporarily been suspended Local operators are directing vessels bound for Manaus to alternative ports One of the many options adopted by shipowners is to unload cargo in Vila do Conde barges are used to transport cargo to Manaus Projections indicate that operations at the port of Manaus will resume with restricted capacity from mid-November (week 46) Madeira River: Night navigation has been suspended and daytime navigation is compromised Leading barge and ferry companies are reducing the load transport by more than 50% Tapajós River: Significant restrictions apply Barge convoys are assembled with smaller loads than normal with some reductions reaching around 50% of total capacity Porto Novo: a portion of the port has collapsed and fallen into the Amazon River this port was already suffering from erosion caused by "fallen lands," a typical phenomenon during the dry period in the Amazon region In an effort to speed up authorization for the use of smaller vessels that can navigate the region's waters the National Waterway Transport Agency has approved an order that authorizes cabotage chartering for all types of cargo in the area This release is of an exceptional nature and will be valid for a period of 90 days We would like to thank our local correspondent Proinde in Brazil for assisting with the above information .css-ql7t40{font-family:var(--chakra-fonts-anchor-font-family-default);line-height:1.5rem;color:var(--chakra-colors-anchor-gray-70);}LinkedIn clarified that the intention is to "study and investigate extraordinary phenomena" that occur in the country and their "scientific validation" nor identify phenomena at a great distance" stressing that the objective is to treat "with seriousness" the extraordinary aerospace phenomena and help the population to understand them "Currently there is a need to clarify the population and foster a more balanced opinion of what these phenomena are," he argued adding that CIFA "is not based on conspiracy theories" Founded in July 2021 by a team of researchers who studied these phenomena in the 1980s and 1990s CIFA is currently composed of a multidisciplinary team that includes lawyers The investigation of aerospace phenomena triggered by the centre is based on archives - physical and digital - as well as documents and reports from other organisations that have been collected "behind the scenes and anonymously" since 2018 CIFA's work is also based on information released in the Portuguese media an "important source" on which the team will also focus its attentions confronting it with the knowledge of other entities such as the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) there are almost 2,000 records of extraordinary events We know that narratives are narratives and we want to go further" "We want to later create protocols of effective collaboration with the Air Force and the Republican National Guard (GNR) to reach the isolated cases that may occur in the interior of the country," he said justifying that the purpose is to "act fast and make a more effective clearance" Vítor Moreira stressed that the team has already developed "a work of assessment of events that were relevant last year" which resulted in the Annual Report of Occurrences in which "no case was given as extraordinary" having existed an explanation and scientific validation for the 19 sighted events the percentage of cases explained involves drone technology as well as various types of balloons," said the official Vítor Moreira stressed that CIFA hopes next year to present "a more consistent and accurate model" of the reports received projecting for 2023 to continue working "not with hypotheses Feature Films Database Southern Mediterranean films database Scriptwriters European Film Schools Production Companies Distributors International Sales Submit a Film Industry Reports Co-Production Podcast Online Screenwriting Training Course Guided Course for Feature Film Writing Script Analysis Analysis of the potential of your series Cineuropa's Training Catalogue Film Festival Photographs Newsletter Photogalleries EUFCN Location Award Euro Film Fest 27 Times Cinema GoCritic! Advertise on Cineuropa Logos and Banners FESTIVALS Portugal by Vitor Pinto 29/06/2016 - An exhibition will feature new works by the duo ahead of the Pompidou retrospective in November and the upcoming premiere of The Ornithologist The body of work of Portuguese directors João Pedro Rodrigues and João Rui Guerra da Mata will be in focus at the upcoming Vila do Conde Short Film Festival (9-17 July) at an exhibition running in parallel with the festival and due to be held in the Solar – Gallery of Cinematic Art Billed as an event offering an amusing journey through the universe of the projects that the duo have co-directed over the past few years (mainly short films, but Guerra da Mata was also credited for the 2012 feature The Last Time I Saw Macao [+see also: trailerfilm profile]) the exhibition includes a series of nine new films and video installations It also paves the way for the comprehensive retrospective of Rodrigues’ films scheduled to unspool at the Centre George Pompidou in Paris which starts on 25 November and runs until January 2017 Still to premiere before the end of the year is Rodrigues’ new film (co-scripted by Guerra da Mata), The Ornithologist [+see also: film reviewtrailerinterview: João Pedro Rodriguesfilm profile] but since Rodrigues is a regular on the festival circuit it would come as no surprise to discover the film at one of the post-summer holiday gatherings the two directors also have a carte blanche at Vila do Conde which includes a series of titles by very different filmmakers Besides the usual local and international selection of the latest titles in the short format the 24th Vila do Conde Short Film Festival is also presenting a series of interesting film-concerts British band Tindersticks – known for having composed the scores of Claire Denis’ films – and Swedish singer Jay-Jay Johanson will be fusing music and moving images on stage Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive more stories like this directly in your inbox 14/07/2016Locarno 2016 – Portugal The Ornithologist and Correspondências to compete at Locarno 05/05/2025Festivals / Awards – Czech Republic Czech Republic’s Anifilm goes sci-fi 05/05/2025HOFF 2025 The Shadow and U Are the Universe win at Estonia’s Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival 05/05/2025Crossing Europe 2025 – Awards The New Year That Never Came and The Flats crowned at Crossing Europe 30/04/2025Cannes 2025 16 works to be presented in the Immersive Selection at Cannes 30/04/2025Festivals / Awards – Romania The New Year That Never Came sweeps the Romanian Gopos 30/04/2025goEast 2025 – Awards Holy Electricity comes out on top at goEast Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the most important daily or weekly news on European cinema Crossing Europe 2025 Review: Callas, Darling Cannes 2025 Marché du Film The Party’s Over! leads France TV Distribution’s Cannes slate CPH:DOX 2025 CPH:DOX Industry Europa Distribution explores the release of documentaries at CPH:DOX Cannes 2025 Marché du Film AFCI runs its second annual Global Film Commission Network Summit at Marché du Film Festivals / Awards Czech Republic Distribution / Releases / Exhibitors Europe European Arthouse Cinema Day set to return on 23 November Cannes 2025 Marché du Film Indie Sales presents a three-star line-up at Cannes HOFF 2025 Crossing Europe 2025 Awards Cannes 2025 Marché du Film Be For Films to sell Love Me Tender in Cannes Cannes 2025/Sponsored Latvia set to shine bright at Cannes, led by Sergei Loznitsa’s competition entry Two Prosecutors Las Palmas 2025 MECAS/Awards Manuel Muñoz Rivas and Joana Carro win awards at the eighth MECAS Market TrendsFOCUSA busy spring festival season awaits the European film industry. Cineuropa will continue to keep its readers up to date with the latest news and market insights, covering the buzziest events, including Cannes, Kraków, Karlovy Vary, Tribeca, Hot Docs, Annecy, Brussels, Munich and many others Distribution, Exhibition and Streaming – 06/05/2025Europa Distribution explores the release of documentaries at CPH:DOXThe network has held a case study workshop as part of its brand-new partnership with the Copenhagen-based festival Distribution, Exhibition and Streaming – 02/05/2025Slovak crime-thriller Černák becomes the highest-grossing film in domestic cinemasThe second film in the saga about a local mafia boss, directed by Jakub Króner, outgrossed its first part, which dominated Slovak cinemas last year Jaśmina Wójcik • Director of King Matt the First The Polish director discusses her approach to taking on a 1920s children’s literary classic in an unexpected way Želimir Žilnik • Director of Eighty Plus The Serbian director discusses his deep suspicion of ideologies in relation to his irresistibly charming latest feature, which follows a man whose life spans three political systems Paulina Jaroszewicz • Distribution and marketing manager, New Horizons Association Cineuropa sat down with the Polish distributor to discuss her company’s strategy as well as the connection between its distribution line-up and BNP Paribas New Horizons Festival’s programme Lorcan Finnegan • Director of The Surfer The Irish filmmaker discusses his mystery-thriller, how he created the character with Nicolas Cage and his approach to the use of colours in the film Privacy Policy The images used on this website have been provided by journalists and are believed to be free of rights if you are the owner of an image used on this website and believe that its use infringes on your copyright We will remove the image in question as soon as possible We have made reasonable efforts to ensure that all images used on this website are used legally and in accordance with copyright laws About us | Contact us | Logos and Banners Mission | Partners | Team | Donations | Terms and conditions Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Porto Check out these nearby beaches for a day in the sun there's plenty more to see in the surrounding towns and cities It would be criminal not to head to one of the beautiful beaches nearby We've rounded up the best beaches near Porto all easily reachable by car or by bus in less than an hour Here are the best beaches near Porto.  RECOMMENDED: 📍 The best things to do in Porto 📍 The best things to do in Lisbon📍 Our essential guide to Portugal This article was written by the editorial team at Time Out Porto. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines A social fixture for Porto residents at the height of summer and it's also good for kids; the sand stretches for 2km so it's ideal for volleyball and football. Plus the beach is set in the Mindelo Ornithological Reserve which makes it a great spot for birdwatchers © João SaramagoBy car: 30 minBy bus: 1h 15 min Probably the quietest beach on this list – it doesn’t even feature any massive building sites Moreiró Beach is a typical family destination for people after a fuss-free sunny day out Take the kids here in the mornings to make new friends without little ’uns charging about with water pistols a bar right next to the sand and a chunk of history: the iconic Obelisco da Praia da Memória (or Obelisco da Memória – Obelisk of Memory) Aterro is seriously good for sports – but that's not all it's got going for it located in Leça da Palmeira.  A trip to Foz is a must for anyone visiting Porto and so is spreading out a towel on the Praia do Homem do Leme it has a Blue Flag and is dramatically set among the rocks For the little ones there’s a play area in the shape of a boat; for the grown-ups don't want to travel too far, and have a little geologist in you This is not just any beach: Lavadores beach is an authentic open-air geological museum due to the incredible variety of granite rocks there © Marco DuarteBy car: 20 minBy bus: 30 min ‘Praia das Sereias’ means ‘Mermaid Beach’ but we’ll just come out and say it: there are no mermaids here What there are are plenty of families and big groups of friends who tend to gather near the base of the massive boulder where they’re sheltered from the wind climb to the top of the rock: there’s usually not a lot of people up there It’s also a popular beach for surfing © Marco DuarteBy car: 11 minBy bus: 26 min Madalena's long stretch of beautiful sand is simply begging for you to come and take a stroll or do some sunbathing This is one of the most popular beaches in Gaia put them on and take a walk along Madalena's wooden walkway.  Named one of Europe’s prettiest beaches in 2015 thanks in part to the famous Senhor da Pedra (Lord of the Rock) chapel It’s in the municipality of Vila Nova de Gaia This beach is one of the best on this list for children a vast sweep of sand that’s great for ball games and a nice café-bar for tantrum-diffusing snacks and ice creams you can walk from Miramar to Granja without having to step out of northern Portugal’s typically cool/chilly waters take advantage of the wooden boardwalk over the dunes and stop at Chez Maurice to enjoy a panini with an ocean view If you've got wheels and want a leisurely day out head for the Praia de São Pedro da Maceda The route passes through a protected pine forest the Perímetro Florestal das dunas de Ovar The beach is good for surfing and windsurfing By car: 1h 2 minBy bus: 1h 40 min This beach is right in the Dunas de São Jacinto nature reserve The route there from Porto is just as spectacular especially as you skirt the Aveiro Lagoon or estuary Social media addicts will probably want to take a snap or 50 Thanks for subscribing! 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