Figueira da Foz area
Figueira da Foz, just 40km west of Coimbra, is one of the liveliest towns on the west coast of Portugal. Situated where the Mondego River meets the Atlantic and sheltered by the mountains of the Serra da Boa Viagem this coastal settlement was a major deep-sea fishing port long before it became a popular tourist destination. Literally 'Fig Tree at the Mouth of the River', Figueira is home to Portugal's largest beach, a three kilometre stretch nick-named 'Rainha das Praias', the queen of beaches.
Praia da Tocha
To the north of the resort of Figueira da Foz is a virtually endless stretch of fine sandy beach backed by low dunes and thick pine forest. Whilst much of this coast is equally sandy, the sea is the same blue and the pines smell just as piney there are only a few points where you can actually drive down to the coast.
Praia da Mira
A little less remote than Quierios and Tocha, Praia da Mira sits on a small lagoon 35km north of Figueira da Foz and 29km south of Aveiro.
