To have a Green Coast, as Portugal does, is already pretty amazing, but the real sensation is its Silver Coast. This name may be flashy, but it also very accurately describes what this coastline looks like: It does have an intriguing silver glow, not just around sunset. What causes this very special visual effect, is hard to say, but it seems to have to do with the omnipresent sand, the boulders on the cliffs and beaches, and of course with the sea and the sun, and maybe even with the kind of pine trees that you'll find right next to most of the beaches.
The region begins less than an hour's drive North of Lisbon and almost stretches all the way up to Porto. The Silver Coast has highly diversified landscapes - and more rivers and streams than any other part of the Iberian peninsula.
The country's oldest university you will find in the charming city of Coimbra. The University of Coimbra, which by the way is also one of the oldest academic institutions in the world, was founded in 1290, and it resides in a wonderful mix of old buildings that will also teach you a lot about Portugal's architectural history. Coimbra has a population of just over 100 thousand people. This ancient city is as well the country's most centrally located seaport.
If you travel South from Coimbra, this will soon take you to Marinha Grande, which is a grand old city indeed! You just have to like its nickname: The Crystal City. This name is truly deserved: It is in fact the European capital of the moulding industry. So when you visit and look for a souvenir, the search might take pretty long - as there is just too much to choose from...
