Central Region

Viseu, Figueira da Foz, Óbidos, Alcobaça, Nazaré, Batalha, Fátima, Serra da Estrela, Manteigas, Gouveia and Aveiro

Viseu

Viseu is about one hour drive from Coimbra. It is a very scenic drive as the road climbs through the mountains toward this fresh-faced country town. It was very pleasant to sit in the tree-lined main square.

There is also a beautiful tiled "Azulejos" wall just opposite the square. If you walk up and down some of the connecting streets, there is plenty to see in this small pleasant town.

Figueira Da Foz

Figueira da Foz is one of the most popular resorts in Portugal. Its appeal is a two-mile long beaches that is one of the prettiest in  Europe. It also provides opportunities for surfing and wind surfing

The beauty of this town. Wide open expanses of beaches on beaches it went on for miles and more was under construction. 

The City is prosperous and attractive, a casino housed in a former Palace opens in the afternoon, two miles away is the unspoiled fishing village of Buarcos
Best of all it is but a short drive, about 45km, from Coimbra. Take route 111, which runs along the Mondego River and you are in for the treat of your life.

Óbidos

Óbidos is a picture-postcard town, flower-covered balconies, whitewashed houses, roofs of orange tiles and narrow cobblestone streets -- all surrounded by Moorish walls and dominated by an old castle. This tiny walled town has hardly changed at all since the middle ages. It started its existence as a fortress on the sea but the bay silted up leaving the town without a purpose. In 1228 King Dinis paused at Óbidos. His wife so admired the charm of the town, he gave it to her as a present.

The village is so small it can be easily explored on foot. So if you arrive by car, park your car in the ample parking lot outside the gates and explore the town by foot. It is an experience that is well worth taking the time to savor.

The massively towered castle has been converted into a beautiful Pousada. You must make reservations well in advance to get a room here as it is one of Portugal's most popular Pousadas.

The towns of Nazaré and Peniche with their beaches and fine fish restaurants are within easy driving distance. There are also facilities nearby for riding and playing golf. With the new highway system Óbidos is very convenient to many locations

Alcobaça

Then it was on to Alcobaça, the site of the Alcobaça Monastery that is the largest and finest church in Portugal -the Monumental Cistercian Abbey of Santa Maria, founded in 1152. It is a spectacular monument with marvelous halls and cloisters making this the finest Cistercian structure anywhere in the world.

It is here that King Pedro I, and his mistress Inês, were buried facing each other, so that on judgment day their first sight will be of each other.

Nazaré

Nazaré it is no longer the little fishing village. Now it is a tourists beach resort. It is still beautiful. The beaches are big, sandy, and expansive. A lot of fashionable houses on the cliffs overlooking the beach.

Batalha

The Mostairo de Santa Maria da Vitoria that is a masterpiece of Portuguese Gothic architecture. This town is aptly named by the Portuguese word for battle. A mighty army from Castile had invaded to contest the claims of King Joào I who had usurped the Portuguese throne. He vowed that success came his way he would endow a monastery. Joào won a resounding victory and construction of the monastery was began three years latter.

The first stage of construction consisted of the church, founder's chapel, royal Cloister and chapterhouse and was finished by 1436. The first architect, Afonso Domingues, was Portuguese, but the second was a Norman who lent feelings of English Gothic. King Joào's son Dom Duarte finished the founders chapel. His successor Afonso V appended a second cloister. Manuel I decorated various parts in the style named for him. Joào III added dormitories before stopping work for good in 1550. By then a century and a half of building by the mightiest monarchs of Portugal had created a monastery of surpassing majesty.

Today in the charterhouse lies the Tomb of Portugal's Unknown Soldier (from WWI) perpetually guarded.

Fátima

The shrine of Fátima was built on the spot where three children tending their sheep saw the Virgin Mary in 1917. There is chapel built on that spot and a Shrine was erected near by. The Shrine is very worthwhile seeing. A chapel has been built on the spot that the Virgin was seen.

On that Sunday, May 13 1917, the three little shepherds, Lucy, Jacinta and Francisco, had gone to Mass and as they were returning home they passed a place called Cova da Iria they were surprised by an apparition of Our Lady. She told the children that she would return here for six months in succession, on the 13th day, at this same hour.

She returned again on: Wednesday June 13 1917 with the Immaculate Heart of Mary Pierced with thorns: --- Friday July 13 1917 with the Announcement of the Great Miracle and the Secret: --- Monday August 13 1917 Certainly Our Lady has Come; --- Sunday August 19 1917 The Apparition at Valinhos; --- Thursday September 13 1917 A Marvelous Apparition;--- Saturday October 13 1917 I am Our Lady of the Rosary. The beatification of Jacinta and Francisco was conducted on May 13, 2000 when Pope John Paul II will visited the Shrine for the Special Celebration in Fátima. Visit the site" Our Lady of Fatima Online"

Serra da Estrela

As you climb high into the Serra's, you are impressed with the beauty. This lunar landscape has been carved into the granite by the Ice Age glacier. You see many weird rock shapes. Grazing on the mountains are the sheep who have shaped the fortunes of this area by providing wool for the textile industry and the milk for Portugal's best know cheese, Queijo da Serra. Serra cheese is made from the milk of ewes. It is produced in rounds. It is pale, slightly runny and has a thick rind. The scenery is spectacular and you marvel at the diversity that can be found in this small country of Portugal. This is truly another one of Portugal's hidden gems.

Entered the Parque at Covilhã.Soon we were on N339 and starting the steep assent into the mountains. The road passes through pine, oak and chestnut trees along the way. Continued our climb into the Estrelas, you noticed a sign for the Estalagem Serra da Estrela. Stopped for a rest and have a pleasant lunch.

Higher into the Serras you will be amazed at the snow capped mountains in the distance. Then arrive at the point where N339 intersects with M338. This is a magnificent view of the Penhas Douradas, a line of three peaks called the golden crests. They rise to 6,539 feet andremain snow capped for all but the three hottest summer months.

The road N338 started a decent through 14 km. of tortuous bend toward the town of Manteigas. The scenery is superb small water falls cascade down the mossy rocks and tall pines provide the shade.

Manteigas

This is a typical mountain town sheltered in the lovely glacial valley of the River Zêzere. Its white, pink and beige houses reflect the bright mountain light. We continued with our climb up the serpentine road until we reached the Pousada de São Lourenço. This Pousada is located in the Serra da Estrela Narural Park. The location of this pousada makes it an ideal place to rest while exploring the Serras.

From this mountain perch you can take trips down both sides of the mountain. You can go to Manteigas and also drive to the next town of Gouveia.

Gouveia

This is attractive, ancient town in the hills rising from the Mondego Valley. The town is filled with tiny beautiful parks, gardens and lookout points. You can spend some pleasant hours walking through the town and sitting in the square in front of the church.

Aveiro

Aveiro is a lovely town - its canals are crossed by interesting carved wooden bridges and in the middle of town the Central Canal is lined with charming colorful houses. It was the boundless dreams of the Portuguese sailors that created this town's wealth, with its canals, tile-decorated houses, and the stirring convent of the Infanta Joana.

It is an active town which had impressive rows of cod-drying sheds standing at the edge of the" ria", bearing witness to its ancient traditions.

Aveiro is a wonderful blend of the old with the new. It is a very good example of how the Portuguese have managed to retain past traditions and also incorporate some of the latest innovations.
Here right in the downtown section of Aveiro they have constructed a beautiful modern mall and blended it into the scenery.
The mall is filled with very exclusive shops and is a pleasant way to just walk around.

Only 8 km. from Aveiro there are some very beautiful beaches. A beautiful lagoon separates these beaches from the mainland. These beaches alone make Aveiro well worth visiting.

You can visite three of the more important beaches. Take south on N109 and then cut over toVagueiro beach. You can stopped at the Bela Vista Restaurant which is right on the beach.
The next beach, Costa Nova. This is another beautiful area. Here the houses are painted with colorful strips. The town has the fell of a beach town and the beaches are wonderful.
the last beach, Praia da Barra. This is also a beautiful beach. Since this beach is the closest to Aveiro, it will probably be more crowded than the others that are more secluded.

Visit Aveiro