Portugal

casinos and overpopulated beaches. From its central square to its stone seawalls, it
remains unspoiled. Take Avenida do Brasil north from Figueira da Foz to get to Buarcos.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES Figueira da Foz is on a wide, sandy beach, on a site first
occupied by the Lusitanians. In July and August, the beach is usually packed body to
body. Those who don’t like sand and surf can swim in a pool sandwiched between the
Grande Hotel da Figueira and the Estalagem da Piscina on the main esplanade.
You can also trek into the Serra da Boa Viagem, a range of hills whose summit is a
favorite vantage point for photographers and sightseers. Bullfights are popular in season;
the old-style bullring operates from mid-July to September.
Near Figueira da Foz, the Quiaios Lakes are ideal for sailing and windsurfing. (For
information, contact the tourist office in Figueira da Foz; see above.) Another good
center for windsurfing is the bay at Buarcos, adjoining Figueira da Foz. You can rent
most windsurfing equipment at kiosks right on the beaches.
SHOPPING If you’re looking for handicrafts, head for Shangrira, Rua Dr. Calado
(& 23/342-80-11), or Chafariz, Rua do Estendal 34 (& 23/342-06-86). They carry
terra cotta, glazed porcelain, and some carved wood, leatherwork, and incised or burnished
copper and brass. Looking for gold or silver filigree? Try the Ourivesaria Ouro
Nobre, Praceta Dr Joaquin Lopez Feteira 11 (& 23/342-39-52), for one of the town’s
most appealing selections.
WHERE TO STAY
Ibis Figueira Da Foz Just a 5-minute stroll from the sandy beach, this is a
midsize, efficiently run, affordable, and functional hotel. It’s dependable but hardly dramatic,
with a chain format and streamlined but standard bedrooms. The structure itself
has more character than most cookie-cutter Ibis hotels because it was created out of a
vastly restored stone house that was erected during World War I. Bedrooms are medium
in size and comfortably though blandly furnished, each with a small bathroom.
Rua da Liberdade 20, 3080-168 Figueira da Foz. & 23/340-81-90. Fax 23/340-81-95. www.accorhotels.
com. 47 units. 55€–79€ double. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: Bar. In room: A/C, TV.
Mercure Figueira da Foz This renovated 1950s-era hotel, on the seafront promenade
overlooking the ocean, is the leading choice in town, and it’s a leading favorite with
tour groups. The hotel’s interior is a world of marble and glass, more like that of a big-city
hotel than a resort. A few of the midsize rooms on the sea have glass-enclosed balconies; most
have open balconies. The hotel is open all year, though it’s sleepy here in January.
Av. do 25 de Abril 22, 3080-086 Figueira da Foz. & 23/340-39-00. Fax 23/340-39-01. www.mercure.com.
102 units. 95€–125€ double; 165€–185€ suite. Rates include continental breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities:
Restaurant; bar; babysitting; room service. In room: A/C, TV, hair dryer, minibar, Wi-Fi (5€ per hour).
Pensão Esplanada Across from a sandy beach, this little boardinghouse is in a
building that dates from the turn of the 20th century, although the establishment itself
dates from the late ’80s. This recommendation is strictly for the frugal traveler who wants
a Portuguese seaside holiday on a slim purse. Frankly, the place has creaky joints, and the
rooms are not at the peak of their glory, although they are scrubbed daily. Hallway bathrooms
are generally adequate unless the hotel is operating at its peak capacity. At least no
one complains when it comes time to pay the bill.
Rua Engenheiro Silva 86, 3080-086 Figueira da Foz. & 23/342-21-15. Fax 23/342-98-71. www.pensao
esplanada.com. 16 units, 10 with bathroom. 50€–70€ double. Rates include buffet breakfast. No credit
cards. In room: TV.
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FIGUEIRA DA FOZ