Beaches (Paio, Palmeira and Pedra ~ Portugal)

4 September 2022

The trip from Ponte de Lima to Aveiro was a 100 or so k so decided to break it up a bit by stopping at a few coastal places en-route (place chosen c/o Atlas Obscura) - Praia de São Paio, Tidal Pools of Leça da Palmeira and Capela do Senhor da Pedra. 

The first stop, Praia de São Paio, is interesting as along various signs of iron age life, grooves in rock where weapons were sharpened, the remains of round houses along with nice beach and rock formations and of course a coffee shop.

Suitably recharged with coffee we headed a bit further down the coast to the Tidal Pools of Leça da Palmeira which are on the outskirts of Porto so the traffic at this stage was noticeable heavier. The beach boasts two saltwater swimming pools built to blend seamlessly into the natural landscape. Rough rock formations frame each pool—one for kids, one for adults.

It was here we also saw the Portuguese version of a British Beach Hut, and have to say they were quite practical as they protected the beach goers from being sand blasted.

From here we passed through,  or over really, Porto and the traffic was bad enough doing that we were glad we didn't need to drive into Porto  - great views though.

Our last stop Capela do Senhor da Pedra. Here in a effort to Christianize Europe during the 17th century, the hexagonal chapel was constructed to ‘reclaim’ the land from the ‘heretic,’ naturalist pagans who used to worship on the same rock outcropping. 

Next stop Aveiro - aka the Venice of Portugal.