Shops
Mini Markets- there is a small supermarket in Usseira, it's open every day but closed for lunch 1pm to 3pm.
Hypermarkets - the closest supermarkets are Pingo Doce and Continente which are opposite each other just outside the city walls in Obidos. There is also an Intermarche on the N8 to Caldas. There are also lots more in Caldas da Rainha including Le Clerc, Continente, Intermarche, Lidl.
Pharmacy- The nearest “Farmacia” can be found in Obidos near the tourist information office, on the way to the main entrance to the walled city.
Cashpoint- There are cashpoints in the 2 supermarkets in Obidos and also on the Rua Principal in Usseira.
Local Market
Caldas da Rainha : Every morning in the centre of town at the Praca. The fish market is a couple of streets away.
Restaurants
There are several restaurants within walking distance of the house... Tracadinho is on the road down the hill to Obidos and Toca da Coelho is towards Bombarral opposite the petrol station. There is also Poco dos Sabores on Rua Principal which is very popular so be sure to book a table.
There are, of course, numerous restaurants in Obidos, Caldas da Rainha and Bombarral.
Obidos
The beautiful walled city of Obidos is a 5 minute drive/40 minute walk from the house. It's downhill on the way there but you might need a taxi back? Once the wedding present of a queen, the preserved medieval town of Óbidos lying 100 km north of Lisbon is without doubt one of Portugal's most classic walled settlements. Walking the ramparts, visitors can enjoy views of windmills, vineyards and surrounding farmlands.
This provides fantastic views but is not for the fainthearted....and not for children under 3! In the residential area below, narrow cobblestone streets are lined with whitewashed houses sporting terracotta roofs. The shops are piled high with local handicrafts and there are some lovely restaurants and cafes. For full details see www.portugalvirtual.pt/_tourism/costadeprata/obidos/index.html
Beaches
Foz do Arelho
About 20 minutes drive from the house is the lovely resort of Foz do Arelho. It lies on one side of the Obidos lagoon. It is an unusual place as the beach has calm lagoon water on one side and Atlantic waves on the other. It has cafes and restaurants along the beachfront and can be busy in summer but worth a visit.
There are lots of water sports too on the Foz side and Bom Sucesso side of the lagoon, see websites for details:
https://escoladeveladalagoa.com/
http://www.silvercoasttours.com/
Praia do Bom Sucesso
About 20 minutes drive and on the other side of the lagoon. There are still a few beach bars and restaurants but this beach is much quieter with loads of space even in high summer.
Salir do Porto
The beach at Salir do Porto is a 20 minute drive from the house. It is at the western end of a crescent shaped bay which goes all the way around to Sao Martinho do Porto. The beach is huge so you really shouldn't have trouble finding a spot! The other attraction at the Salir end of the beach is the sand dune which the children love running up and sliding down again. A bridge goes over the estruary and leads to a boardwalk which goes all around the bay. Perfect for an early evening stroll or early morning jog!!!
Sao Martinho do Porto
A 20 minute drive from the house is the lovely little resort of Sao Martinho do Porto. The beach is very safe as the bay is almost totally enclosed so you are safe from the Atlantic breakers. The water is colder than the Med so brace yourselves...but it great when you are in!
The resort is popular with Portuguese and French but you will hear the occasional English voice. There are many restaurants, bars and cafes along the seafront and luckily eating/drinking out is still cheap compared with other European resorts.
The resort is busy in summer and parking is hard to find so it is better to park a little closer to Salir and have a stroll along the seafront. For more information see www.visit-sao-martinho-do-porto.com/html/ing-index.html
Nazare
Possibly the most famous fishing village in Portugal, Nazaré is unique in many ways. It is not full of culture or monuments prevalent in other Portuguese towns, but it has an atmosphere of times gone by, contentment and traditions which continue to thrive, which make it a special place to visit. Along the N8 for about 15 minutes and you'll be in this quaint little seaside town.
Nazaré is split into three main districts – Praia (beach), Pederneira and Sitio. Located on a rocky promontory over 100m above the main part of the town, Sitio provides wonderful views over the bay and beach of Nazaré. Although this mainly residential part of Nazaré is accessible by car, by far more interesting is the funicular carriage which takes passengers up the sharp slope for a small fee. More information on the history is available on www.portugalvirtual.pt/_tourism/costadeprata/nazare/index.html
Peniche
Great for surfing, Baleal beach is one of several in Peniche and our particular favourite. There are load of beach bars for a burger at lunchtime or cocktail at sunset.
There are big waves at one end of the beach and small ones for body boarding further down, plus a resident life guard
Also in Peniche is a water park called Sport Agua, great for kids www.sportagua.com/
Golf
Local Golf Courses
There are 4 golf courses all within about a 25 minute drive from the house. With spas for the ladies too.
http://www.royalobidos.com/home
https://www.praia-del-rey.com/en/resort
https://www.westcliffs.com/en/
http://www.bomsucesso.net/en/golf/
Buddha Eden
This amazing place has to be seen to be believed. Hundreds of Buddha statues as well as more modern artwork, lovely waterside walks and cafes...and a vineyard so wine shop to boot.
It's about a 10 minute drive from the house. Small charge for entry to the gardens.
https://www.bacalhoa.pt/
Caldas da Rainha
The nearest large town, (15 minutes drive) the spa of Caldas da Rainha gradually developed round the Free Hospital which was founded by Queen Leonor in 1485. Today it is an important fruit growing region and a centre for the production of traditional ceramics
A pleasant town with a wooded park, boating lake and childrens' playground in the centre. Caldas da Rainha has a lively bustling market in the town square. Return to the old world of the food with real flavours- the freshest local and regional produce including vegetables, fruit, nuts, cheese, chickens, flowers, sausages and fresh-baked cakes. The cobbled side streets are excellent for clothes shopping with branches of Mango and Etxart & Panno and other well-known retailers. There are dozens of shoe, sports, lingerie, kids, casual and perfume shops.
Alcobaca
The city of Alcobaça became notable after the first King of Portugal decided to build a church there. The church later evolved into the Monastery of Alcobaça, one of the most magnificent gothic monuments in the country. In the church are the tombs of King Peter I and his murdered mistress Inês de Castro. Over the centuries this monastery had an important role on Portuguese culture. The town is about 45 minutes drive from the house.
Fatima
Fátima's claim to fame is the shrine called the Basilica, built to commemorate the events of 1917 when three peasant children claimed to have seen the "Virgin of the Rosary", Our Lady of Fátima. When the children asked for her name, she said "I am The Lady of The Rosary". There is lots to see here and full details are given at the house. About an hour's drive from Salir.
Mira D'Aire (Grutas)
This is Portugal's largest caves system and the underground tour leads down through a series of colourfully lit caverns with some impressive speleothems. The last cavern, 110m below the surface contains a huge lake with artificial waterfalls and dramatic artificial fountains. Exit is via a fast elevator to the surface. It's about an hour from the house and 15 minutes from Fatima. There is also a water park next to the caves so take swimming stuff. www.grutasmiradaire.com
Vineyards
There are many in the area that sell wine and offer wine tasting, here are a few links
www.vinhos-sanguinhal.pt Near Bombarral, about 20 minutes away
https://www.vinhoscortem.com/ 20 Minutes drive, offer wine tasting
https://www.facebook.com/HumusWines/ Encosta da Quinta, outside Caldas da Rainha