Portugal: A Relaxing Getaway—A Trip Along the Atlantic Coast with a Spa Included

Hotel Golf Mar: holidays with the Atlantic as the star

Discover Hotel Golf Mar, a clifftop retreat in Vimeiro where views of the Atlantic and direct access to Porto Novo beach put the sea at the heart of your holiday.

Here it’s easy to combine relaxation and fun: the hotel has pools, a spa, a gym, a restaurant and tennis courts, plus a range of adventure and leisure activities.

Its location, about 50 km north of Lisbon, also invites you to explore some of the major attractions of the Portuguese coast, with Óbidos, Peniche, Mafra and Ericeira as rewarding day-holiday options.

Guests particularly praise the location, as well as the cleanliness and comfort.

Sea, nature, wellbeing and plenty to enjoy: book your escape to Hotel Golf Mar and let the Vimeiro coast win you over.

Vimeiro

Vimeiro is a small town in Portugal’s Oeste region, just over an hour from Lisbon, where farmland and vineyards stretch almost to the Atlantic cliffs. Famous for its mineral-medicinal waters and the battle that bears its name, it’s a peaceful, authentic destination, ideal for families and couples seeking nature, beach and relaxation away from the crowds.

What to visit?

The area’s great symbol is the Monument to the Battle of Vimeiro, erected on the heights above the town on the site of the 1808 clash between Anglo-Portuguese and Napoleonic troops, offering magnificent views over the whole valley; alongside it, the Vimeiro Battle Interpretation Centre explains that historical episode. Don’t miss the Termas do Vimeiro either, set in a beautiful garden beside the Alcabrichel River, nor the town’s Igreja Matriz.

What to do?

The top activity is a day at the spa and thermal baths, long renowned for their waters. Very close by is Praia do Porto Novo, a sheltered beach between cliffs at the river mouth, perfect for walks and sunsets, and a string of Silver Coast sands ideal for surfing. If you enjoy outdoor sports, the area has a golf course and hiking and mountain-bike routes through the Alcabrichel valley.

What to eat?

The Atlantic rules here: grilled fresh fish, caldeirada, arroz de marisco and plenty of bacalhau in all its versions. From the land come the pêra rocha do Oeste and the region’s fresh, light white wines from Lisbon. Two local treats not to miss are the pastel de feijão from Torres Vedras and Aguardente DOC Lourinhã, one of only three demarcated regions in Europe for brandy made from wine, alongside Cognac and Armagnac.

Our recommendation

For good food without spending much, Restaurante Braga in Vimeiro itself is a local institution: a buffet of traditional saloia cuisine, generous portions and excellent value. For a more special meal, make the short detour to Dom José in Bombarral, awarded a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand, a family-run restaurant of honest Portuguese cooking where the feijoada de porco preto stands out.

Nearby excursions

Just ten minutes away is Lourinhã, Portugal’s dinosaur capital, with its museum and outdoor theme park, a great day out with children, as well as the distillery where its famous aguardente is made. A little further afield, Óbidos awaits with its walled medieval town, whitewashed streets and castle, one of the most picturesque scenes in Portugal.