Portugal – Foz do Arelho (En)

Last Friday we arrived at Foz do Arelho and we stayed in the motorhome area in front of the Lagoon Óbidos and the Atlantic Ocean, the location is great with amazing views. The area has all the facilities for emptying and filling the water and emptying the chemical WC, and for 1 euro you have hot water in the shower. In total 9 euros with electricity so really good.

Foz do Arelho is a special place because its ocean feeds into the Óbidos lagoon — the largest saltwater lagoon in Portugal — creating two distinct beaches. Over at the main beach, you can swim and surf in the waves or just relax on the long stretches of white sand. Expect cold waters, even in summer. This part of the Atlantic Ocean doesn’t warm up much. The lagoon can warm to a more comfortable swimming temperature during low tide. We went first to see the side of the Lagoon in the morning where Asha has a ball swimming and playing, and I collected a lot of beautiful shells.

A wooden pathway was recently constructed meandering along the sea cliffs and overlooking the ocean. I’ve seen endless picturesque sunsets there reflecting deep pinks, violet purples, and burnt oranges on the water below. In the evening we walked this wooden pathway on the ocean side and we saw an amazing sunset and flamingos but I had not time to take a photo. On this side, the fishermen take sea bream.

Foz do Arelho is an amazing destination for fresh seafood and Portuguese barbecue chicken, also for the cockles (berbigão), which are native to the lagoon. On Saturday we went to lunch in the beach bar called O Banheiro located at the lagoon right on the sand and we tried the cockles, a huge plate for 10 euros and they were yummy! and the typical chicken from here is really tasty. We recommend trying both dishes if you come here, especially the cockles. In the beach bar, Asha was playing with the children sitting at the table next to us and we were chatting with an English couple living here and a Portuguese couple from here also.

At night we took pictures of the lit hotel on the top of the mountain and the lagoon.

And today Sunday we are preparing to go tomorrow to Sintra, a charming town situated within the cooling hills of Sintra Mountain, near Lisboa, the capital of Portugal. Hidden among its majestic pine forest, you will discover whimsical palaces, extravagant villas and the ruins of a 10th-century Moorish castle. And you can see it in the next post!