Summer Traditions on Portugal’s Silver Coast
- Portugal the Simple Life
- Aug 8
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 11
There’s something magical about summer on Portugal’s Silver Coast. It’s more than just sunny days and beautiful beaches — it’s a season of traditions that bring generations together, blending a deep connection to nature, community, and family.
From the gentle sound of waves at São Martinho do Porto to the smoky scent of grilled sardines in Nazaré’s narrow streets, the Silver Coast offers an authentic slice of the Portuguese lifestyle — simple, soulful, and unforgettable.
Here are some of the most cherished summer traditions on Portugal’s Silver Coast — timeless customs that continue to bring people together and celebrate the very best of the Portuguese way of life.
Striped Beach Tents: A Family Tradition
Summer days on the Silver Coast begin with a ritual that’s as nostalgic as it is practical — setting up the iconic cloth beach tents.
At beaches like Foz do Arelho, São Martinho do Porto, and Nazaré, the sands are dotted with colourful tents in traditional stripes. These are more than just sunshades; they’re family meeting points, passed down through generations.
Here, families spend entire days by the sea — kids run between the waves and the tent, grandparents read the newspaper in the shade, and everyone gathers to share sandwiches and “bolas de Berlim” after a swim.
It’s not unusual to see groups staying until the very last ray of sun disappears, watching the sunset with a quiet reverence and a cold drink in hand. It’s a simple, joyful tradition that captures the rhythm of Portuguese summer life.
Picnics, Hikes & Forest Escapes
Just a few minutes inland, the Silver Coast reveals a lush, green landscape perfect for picnics and hiking.
Pine forests and eucalyptus groves offer cool shade on warm afternoons, and locals take full advantage — packing up baskets with fresh bread, cheese, and fruit for a day spent in nature.
Across the Silver Coast, “percursos pedestres” — organised hiking trails — offer a unique way to explore the region’s breathtaking nature, rich history and cultural heritage. These well-marked routes vary in length and difficulty, making them accessible to all ages and fitness levels. From coastal paths with ocean views to forest trails that wind past ancient chapels, windmills and Roman ruins, each trail tells a story and invites walkers to connect more deeply with the land.
Whether it’s a short hike with friends or a lazy afternoon on a picnic blanket, this tradition is all about connection — to nature, to family, and to life’s slower pace. There’s no rush, just time well spent in good company, with birdsong in the background and the scent of wild herbs in the air.
Café Culture & Sunset Moments
Summer afternoons are made for lingering — especially at an outdoor “esplanada”, where locals chat with family and friends while sipping on an ice-cold Sagres or Super Bock and enjoying snails or "tremoços" (two of Portugal's favourite summer "petiscos"). It’s a moment of pause, often leading seamlessly into a golden hour stroll or an impromptu dinner by the sea.
One of the most cherished summer rituals? Watching the sunset.
Whether from the cliffs of Nazaré, the calm bay of São Martinho do Porto or the breathtaking oceanfront at Foz do Arelho, there’s a collective appreciation for the beauty of the day’s end — the sun slowly sinking into the Atlantic, casting a golden glow on faces and hearts.
A Celebration of the Sea
In Portugal, summer is synonymous with seafood. The country’s centuries-old connection to the ocean is never more visible than at the table.
On the Silver Coast, it’s not summer without grilled sardines, clams in garlic and olive oil, or a whole fresh fish slowly cooked over embers — the old-fashioned way.
Along the cobblestone of downtown Nazaré Beach, the alleyways fill with locals and tourists as restaurants grill fish outside, drawing crowds with the unmistakable scent of salt and fire. It’s a sensory celebration, one that locals embrace with pride and joy — often with a glass of "vinho verde" in hand.
Markets & Seasonal Flavours: A Taste of the Land
Another cherished summer ritual on the Silver Coast is shopping at the local farmers' and fish markets.
Here, the locals value seasonal freshness — choosing what's in season and locally grown with care.
Strolling through stalls at the markets such as the "Praça da Fruta" in Caldas da Rainha (one of Portugal's most famous farmers' markets!) is a feast for the senses: the ripe scent of sun-kissed peaches, vibrant peppers, fragrant herbs, and tomatoes that actually taste like tomatoes fills the air.
Whether you're picking up ingredients for a picnic or preparing a family meal, these markets offer a direct connection to the land and the people who nurture it.
Festas: Music, Faith and Community
Perhaps no tradition captures the soul of Silver Coast summers like the "festas" – parish and town celebrations that transform quiet communities into vibrant celebrations of faith, food, and fellowship. From June through September, nearly every village along the coast hosts its own "festa", creating a rolling carnival of Portuguese culture.
As the sun sets, the villages and towns come alive when communities come together at the “festas”, celebrating everything from patron saints to sardines. Each parish has its own traditions, but they all share something in common: community spirit.
The streets are filled with music, laughter, dancing, and delicious aromas. Long tables line the squares, serving grilled meats, seafood, and local sweets. Religious processions wind through the streets, uniting everyone — regardless of faith — in a celebration of heritage and togetherness. In Portugal, the festas are for everyone.
“Matar as Saudades”: The Return of Emigrants
Summer is also a time of reunion. Across the Silver Coast, you’ll hear accents from France, Switzerland, Luxembourg, the United States… Portuguese emigrants return home to “matar as saudades” — to kill the longing for their land, their people, their roots.
Two waves of returnees reshape the coast each summer. The older generation – those who left decades ago seeking better lives in France, Germany, Luxembourg, or the Americas – return with grandchildren who speak Portuguese with foreign accents but Portuguese hearts. They come bearing gifts and stories, filling family homes that stood empty for eleven months with the sounds of multiple generations reconnecting.
The newer wave consists of Portugal's contemporary diaspora: highly educated professionals, entrepreneurs, and scholars who've built successful careers across Europe but maintain unbreakable bonds to "a terra" – the land. These digital nomads and international executives bring global perspectives home, often working remotely from Silver Coast cafés while their children rediscover Portuguese summers their parents never forgot.
As a country shaped by emigration, Portugal carries hospitality in its DNA. The same spirit that drove Portuguese navigators to explore unknown seas now welcomes those who choose the simple life along the Silver Coast.
Locals, emigrants, international residents and tourists... everyone contributes to the summer's unique energy, and villages pulse with life as friends and families reunite, giving new life to ancestral homes and introducing foreign friends to Portuguese summer traditions. The sound of multiple languages mingles with Portuguese in market squares, creating a welcoming atmosphere that makes these ancient traditions feel even more cherished.
Summer on Portugal’s Silver Coast: A Season of Welcome
These summer traditions of the Silver Coast reveal something profound about Portuguese culture: its ability to honor the past while embracing change, to maintain authenticity while welcoming newcomers.
The striped beach tents now shelter international families alongside Portuguese ones, the forest picnics include visitors learning to appreciate "vinho verde", and the festas welcome tourists who share the joy of dancing to traditional "marchas".
In a world that often moves too fast, the lifestyle on Portugal's Silver Coast offers a gentle reminder that the best traditions aren't museum pieces – they're living practices that grow stronger when shared.
Whether you find yourself under a beach tent in Nazaré, sharing sunset moments with newfound friends, or savoring fresh sardines at a village "festa", you're not just witnessing Portuguese culture – you're becoming part of its next chapter.
Enjoy the sunsets. Eat with the seasons. Celebrate the festas. Laugh with strangers. And remember — here, the simple life is the good life.
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