Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela
In the heart of Covilhã's gritty historic centre, the 16th-century Igreja de Santa Maria is a startling sight. Its facade is entirely clad in blue and…
Must-see attractions in The Beiras
The Beiras
Figueira da Foz's main beach is one of Portugal's largest, a vast expanse of yellow sand. It gets packed to the gills in summer, but has all the services,…
Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela
This waterfall, which descends the steep gorge of Ribeira de Lenadres, is a magnificent spectacle, particularly in spring. To get there from Manteigas,…
The Beiras
In the wetlands south of the city, this small museum charts the centuries-old history of salt production in the area. Old photos and models illustrate…
The Beiras
This extraordinary museum is spread over two buildings, a mid-18th-century house in Rua dos Cavaleiros (Knights Street) and a clashing contemporary…
Museu Municipal de Arte Moderna Abel Manta
Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela
This fascinating modern-art museum pays homage to Abel Manta, a (controversial) Portuguese modernist painter, who was born in Gouveia in 1888. Around 23…
The Beiras
The only remaining vestige of the defences the Knights Templar built in the 13th century is the Torre de Menagem. Also known as the Torre dos Templários,…
The Beiras
Housed in the severe 17th-century Episcopal Seminary, Guarda's main museum showcases an eclectic collection of archaeological finds, artworks and early…
Museu Municipal Dr Santos Rocha
The Beiras
This modern museum, beside the Parque das Abadias, houses a wonderfully eclectic collection of local archaeological finds, Roman coins, medieval statues,…
Aveiro
Aveiro's cathedral was formerly part of a Dominican convent and contains a Manueline stone cross of Saint Domingo. The cathedral's sober white interior…
Viseu
This 10-hectare haven of woodland and verdant space sprawls beyond the Portal do Fontelo. Here you'll find the 16th-century Antigo Paço Episcopal (former…
Centro de Interpretacão da Serra da Estrela
Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela
In a park to the west of the town centre, this centre provides an excellent introduction to the Serra da Estrela region. A nine-minute film in English or…
Aveiro
The closest beaches to Aveiro are the surfing hangouts of Praia da Barra and Costa Nova, 13km west of the town. Both are developed and busy in summer;…
Coimbra
A serene place to catch your breath, the lovely university-run botanic garden sits in the shadow of the 16th-century Aqueduto de São Sebastião. Founded by…
The Beiras
The main draw of this sleepy little village is Penedono's small but splendid castle. Towering over the main street in the upper village, this crenellated…
Coimbra
A great spot for a restorative timeout, this tranquil riverside park was planned by the landscape gardener Jacinto de Matos in the 1920s. Amidst its tree…
The Beiras
This a 19th-century stone barn near the cathedral houses an impressive olive-oil press made in the traditional way with huge tree trunks providing the…
The Beiras
Overlooking the rugged valley of the Rio Côa, hilltop Marialva is dominated by its forbidding 12th-century castle. Below the fort's robust walls, the…
Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela
This museum, housed in a lovely converted mansion, traces the history of Portuguese toys, from the Victorian to the contemporary, providing an interesting…
Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela
This popular museum, set in a huge complex with mill wheels, a restaurant and rustic buildings, celebrates the history of traditional bread making. The…
Igreja Nossa Senhora Conceição
The Beiras
Resembling a strange, Disney-like vision of what a quaint village church should look like, Piódão's white church stands out like a beacon against the grey…
Viseu
The 19th-century, azulejo-adorned Museu Almeida Moreira is housed in the former home of art critic and collector Francisco António Almeida Moreira,…
Viseu
Housed in a smart stone house on the river Pavia, this small cultural centre focuses on the area's traditional way of life and artisanal skills. There's a…
Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela
This striking footbridge spans the valley east of the old town, connecting the centre with the town's outer suburbs. Zigzagging over the valley floor, the…
Museu Histórico Militar de Almeida
The Beiras
Dedicated to Almeida's military history, this interesting little museum occupies the casamatas, a series of underground rooms originally used for storage…
Coimbra
Lording it over the main university square, King João III turns his back to the sweeping city views behind him and faces his great centre of learning. It…
The Beiras
For those with wheels, this wooded headland carpeted in pines, eucalypts and acacias is a fine place for panoramas, picnics and cool walks. To get there…
Aveiro
Right in the centre of town, Aveiro's covered fish market is a fun place to watch the local fishmongers sell their daily wares. If you want to taste as…
The Beiras
Penedono's 14th-century castle, effectively an irregular hexagonal keep crowned by a fairytale crenellation, commands fine views over the Planalto. You…
The Beiras
On a hill in the northeast corner of the historic centre is Trancoso's landmark castle, with its crenellated towers and the distinctively slanted walls of…
Viseu
The north side of Praça da República is adorned with a series of striking azulejo (hand-painted tile) panels depicting scenes from regional life. The blue…
The Beiras
Sernancelhe's principal church is a lovely example of Romanesque architecture. Dating from the late 12th century, it has a striking facade whose main…
Viseu
Facing the cathedral is the 1775 Igreja da Misericórdia, whose white rococo exterior contrasts markedly with its rather dull neoclassical interior. A…
Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela
Visible for miles around, Linhares' 13th-century castle is a formidable sight, with its two crenellated keeps and impregnable walls. Not a lot remains…
Coimbra
Part of the main university complex, this ornate 16th-century chapel has a brightly painted ceiling, lavish tilework, Manueline features and a gilded 18th…
Viseu
An attractive sloping square looking up to the Passeio dos Cônegos, this was the city's principal square until the 19th century. Standing in the centre is…
The Beiras
Nestled in a quiet corner of Belmonte's charming historic centre, this small museum has a well-presented display of Jewish artefacts, mostly modern, with…
The Beiras
Get your camera ready. This viewing balcony commands huge views over the village's red roofs down to the baking plains below. It also looks up to an…
Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela
Commanding fabulous views, the leafy Jardim Público, north of Praça do Município, is a popular local haunt and a pleasant spot for a sunset drink at the…
Viseu
At the southern end of Praça da República is the late-18th-century Igreja dos Terceiros, all heavy, gilded baroque but apart from the luminous azulejos …
