Unlike the historic centre of Porto, the former civil parish of Leça da Palmeira in the municipality of Matosinhos doesn’t receive many tourists and that has more to do with convenience than appeal.
Leça, as the locals call it, has some of the best beaches on the northern coast of Portugal and the second-largest lighthouse in the country, O Farol de Leça da Palmeira (also called Farol da Boa Nova), after Farol da Barra in Aveiro. If you’re feeling intrepid, climb the stairs to the top for the views — here are the hours.
Leça’s other major point of interest is the fine dining restaurant designed by famed Porto architect Álvaro Siza Vieira, winner of the 1992 Pritzker prize. Originally Casa de Chá da Boa Nova (Boa Nova Tea House) when it was built in 1958, it was restored in 1991, then again in 2014 when it was reinvented by celebrity chef Rui Paula. Nestled into the rocks, Restaurante Casa de Chá da Boa Nova is a fine example of architecture merging with the landscape instead of overtaking it.
The promenade of Leça isn’t served by metro or bus (the 507 gets as close as Piscina das Marés), which makes it more of a car destination. But if you get a chance to make it there (parking is much easier than around the town and beach area of Matosinhos), take a walk along the wide promenade and enjoy the leisurely pace that the locals come here for.
June 5, 2016
Album: Portugal [Spring 2016]
