//
Photo: Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Lagoa de Óbidos is situated between Caldas da Rainha (Foz do Arelho and Nadadouro civil parishes) and Óbidos (Vau and Santa Maria civil parishes). The lagoon flows into the Atlantic Ocean. It offers many aquatic activities, including sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, rowing, kiteboarding, jet-skiing, waterskiing, stand-up paddling. The beaches on the shore offer opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, and making sandcastles.
The Lagoa de Óbidos is the largest coastal lagoon system on the Portuguese coast. It has a total area of approximately 6.9 square kilometres (2.7 mi2) and an average depth of 2 metres (6.6 ft), with depths ranging from 0.5 metres (1.6 ft) to 5 metres (16 ft). It is located in the Oeste region and it is bordered by the municipality of Caldas da Rainha to the north and by the municipality of Óbidos to the south.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Óbidos Lagoon Sail School
Learn canoeing, windsurfing, catamaran, kitesurfing, SUP/paddle board, surfing, foiling, wing foil, and optimist (small, single-handed sailing dinghy intended for use by children up to the age of 15) on Óbidos Lagoon. They offer courses, group lessons, private lessons, and team building. They rent equipment and will assist with accommodation and gear storage and repair. Their bar offers beverages and light meals.
This huge boulder with an arched opening was formed by rain and wind erosion. It is millions of years old and dates back to the Jurassic period.
Foz do Arelho beaches
Foz do Arelho has the two closest beaches to Caldas da Rainha, about 10 km NW of the city centre. One faces the Atlantic Ocean (Praia do Mar), and other is on the calmer Lagoa de Óbidos (Foz do Arelho–Lagoa). They are connected by a narrow channel. These beaches are popular with both Caldenses and visitors. Both beaches have earned the coveted Blue Flag (Bandeira Azul). The criteria for Blue Flag beaches cover four main areas: water quality; environmental information and education; environmental management; and safety and services.
Indoor go-karting on a 315 m track.
Rugby is not as popular as football (soccer) in Portugal, but the country manages to field an active league. Caldas plays in the league's second tier.
Ten lanes of bowling plus snooker, video games, and Thursday karaoke. The restaurant's menu includes salads, omelets, fish, meat, pizza, pasta, and a kids' menu. Beverages include coffee, soda, milkshakes, hot chocolate, beer, wine, and liquor. Bowl. Eat. Drink. Repeat.