Salir do Porto is a destination for travellers who want to combine a river beach with scenery and local history. Praia de Salir do Porto lies beside the calm waters of the Rio Tornada. There is also the dune, routes for cycling and running, and places of cultural and natural-historical interest. This makes it possible to shape your stay around the riverside landscape, outdoor activities and historical discoveries.
Praia de Salir do Porto and the Dune
Praia de Salir do Porto consists of two distinct areas. One is directly accessible from the village; the other is on the opposite side of the river, on the São Martinho and dune side. The beach is accessed via the village and Rua Dom Fernando; there is an outdoor car park there. When finding your way around, it is therefore important to distinguish between the village access and the beach area on the opposite bank.
Duna de Salir do Porto is about 50 metres high and 200 metres long. It protects the beach from Atlantic winds; from the dune, the view extends across the river and São Martinho Bay. The dune is considered Portugal’s largest coastal dune. At the mouth of the Rio Tornada is Pocinha de Salir, a mesothermal freshwater spring. The beach, dune and spring thus represent different aspects of the waterscape around Salir do Porto.
Cycling and Running Routes
The two cycling connections differ both in length and route. A cycling and walking path for outdoor exercise, approximately 1.5 kilometres long, connects Salir do Porto with São Martinho do Porto along the beach; the entire route runs along a wooden boardwalk. The approximately 8.2-kilometre cycle path along the Estrada Atlântica connects Foz do Arelho with Salir do Porto. For trail running, municipal routes pass through the village and offer, among other things, a view of Duna de Salir do Porto.
Waterfront Spots and Cave
Quebrada da Maria da Serra is particularly suitable for fishing. Quebrada de São Romeu is considered a suitable diving spot and lies just behind the bar that bounds the bay on the Salir side. At Quebrada dos Batos, the ground consists of millions of small, rounded pebbles. The three places are therefore distinguished by their respective features: fishing opportunities, a diving spot and stony ground.
Gruta de Salir do Porto also offers a distinctive natural feature. Visits are possible by appointment. Stalactite formations have existed in the cave for many years and have retained their original shapes; some animal species are also found there. Anyone including this place in their stay should therefore plan their visit with the required advance appointment.
Local History and Dinosaur Footprints
The former customs house served the entire community: boats were built and repaired there using wood from Pinhal de Leiria. The ruins of the former customs house and Salir Castle are considered valuable evidence of the village’s significant history. Capela da Senhora de Sant’Ana offers a special view of the sea and the bay.
Another discovery is the dinosaur footprint site at Salir do Porto. It is approximately 155 million years old; the footprints point to a rare swimming behaviour. The village’s history thus encompasses not only buildings and former crafts, but also a palaeontological glimpse far back into the past.
Discover more destinations: Lousal, Alfeizerão, Pedrógão Grande, Boa Vista, São Vicente, Salir De Matos, Roliça, Pataias.
View the main travel overview: Leiria.
