After a week in Lisbon we spent a second week in Pataias. We were looking to combine the beach with visits to historic monuments, some exercise and good food and drink. Delighted to say that we found them all!
The house is incredibly spacious and the owners very helpful and welcoming - when we arrived there was a bottle of wine, fruit and various other goodies waiting for us. This was a nice touch. At the end of the week I was given some bass fished from the sea a few miles away. This brings me to the kitchen which is the best equipped I have ever used, including a fish scaler for the bass! All the rooms are very spacious and there are three bathrooms, although only one has a shower. Two jacuzzis perhaps a bit excessive.
The beach in the photographs is a shortish drive and is one of many in the area. The waves are fantastic and the facilities good without being invasive. There are lifeguards who take their jobs very seriously.
Pataias itself is a functional town. There is a recently built supermarket close by, petrol stations, a couple of cafes and a great place where you can buy grilled chicken, beef etc. There is a good restaurant almost next door which is only open for lunch, where we ate well along with a number of locals. it is not a resort which as far as we were concerned was a bonus. NAzaré, famous for its waves, is nearby if you want something bigger.
We visited Batalha, Alcobaça and Tomar, buying a family ticket. We went for a great walk at Pio do Orso where there are also loads of mountain bike trails but no mountain bikes for hire. THe restaurant there is excellent, make sure you ask for the dishes of the day, rather than the standard menu which is also more expensive.
We also found a really good Parque aventura (go ape in the UK) about an hour's drive away.
What else - the house has a pool table and a bar! We used the pool table but not the bar. THere is a terrace with a large table and a mighty barbecue.
Overall we had a great week in Pataias. The house is incredible value for money and the owners could not have been more helpful. Obrigado.