Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TRAIN
Leiria is on the train line that runs about three times daily from Figueira da Foz (€5, one
hour) to the Mira Sintra-Meleças station near Lisbon (€10.35 to €11.40, 2½ to 3½ hours).
The station is 4km northwest;
bus 4
runs here frequently from Largo Comendador José Lú-
cio da Silva (€1.25, 10 minutes). A
taxi
costs about €5.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Pinhal de Leiria
First planted by a forward-looking monarch some 700 years ago, the Pinhal de Leiria is a
vast forest of towering pines whose fragrance and stippled shade make this one of the
loveliest stretches of Portugal's Atlantic coast. Dom Dinis expanded it significantly as a
barrier against encroaching dunes and also as a source of timber for the maritime industry
- a great boon during the Age of Discoveries.
Today, the protected forest covers more than 100 sq km along the coast west of Leiria.
Narrow roads and well-maintained bike paths cut through it, leading to a number of really
excellent beaches and three resort towns:
São Pedro de Moel
, 20km west of Leiria;
Praia da Vie-
ira
, 16km north of São Pedro along the coastal highway; and
Pedrógão
, 2km further north.
Sleeping & Eating
São Pedro de Moel is the most appealing of the three towns.
Orbitur
( 244 599 168;
www.orbitur.pt
; São Pedro de Moel; sites per adult/child/tent/car €6.40/3.20/8.40/5.90;
)
In among the pine trees but in the centre of town, this well-equipped, pretty site in-
cludes a swimming pool, disabled facilities and a playground. Two-/four-/five-person bun-
galows cost €92/102/107 in August or €67/77/82 the rest of the summer.
CAMPGROUND
€
HOTEL
€€
Hotel Mar e Sol
( 244 590 000;
www.hotelmaresol.com
; Av da Liberdade 1, São Pedro de Moel; r €85-130; )
This well-
refurbished seafront hotel is comfortable and sparkling clean, with minimalist modern de-
cor. It's in a great position; the best rooms, with balconies and grand views over the tuss-
ling sea, cost €35 to €45 extra. There's a rooftop sundeck and a gym and spa complex
