Coimbra
The university's main entrance is the Iron Gate, a 17th-century confection designed by architect António Tavares in 1634 on the orders of Rector D Álvaro…
Must-see attractions in The Beiras
Coimbra
This heavy-duty Moorish gateway, just off the main shopping drag, leads through to Coimbra's upper town. Follow through the arch and head up the steep…
Coimbra
The early-16th-century Palácio de Sub Ripas, now home to the university's Instituto de Arqueologia, is a striking example of 16th-century architecture. It…
Núcleo da Cidade Muralhada/Torre de Almedina
Coimbra
Housed in the medieval tower over the Arco de Almedina, this small museum has a plaster cast of the city's early layout, complete with castle and…
Convento de Santa Clara-a-Velha
Coimbra
This Gothic convent was founded in 1330 by the saintly Queen Isabel, Dom Dinis’ wife; it served as her final resting place until flooding forced her to be…
The Beiras
There’s little left of Castelo Branco's hilltop castle, which was built by the Knights Templar in the 13th century and subsequently extended by Dom Afonso…
Aveiro
Set in Aveiro's most eye-catching art nouveau building, this small museum above a cafe has a modest one-room exhibition on art nouveau design and…
Coimbra
This small square, formerly part of the cloister of the Mosteiro de Santa Cruz, is dominated by its monumental centrepiece: a lemon-yellow, four…
Coimbra
Bissaya Barreto was a local surgeon, scholar and obsessive hoarder of fine arts, and his late-19th-century mansion is now a small museum. A guide (not…
Viseu
Traversing the historic centre, Rua Dom Duarte was originally the most direct path to the hilltop citadel. The narrow lane is flanked by many beautiful,…
The Beiras
This 14th-century tower, originally the keep of Guarda's castle, stands on the highest point in town. You can't go into the tower but even from the base…
The Beiras
Across the road from the Portas do Prado by the courthouse car park, you'll find an untended mass of grey rocks, many of which have been shaped into eerie…
Coimbra
The brainchild of local collector Bissaya Barreto, this is a cute theme park where kids clamber over, into and around micro versions of Portugal’s most…
Coimbra
At the base of the old town, this park extends from Parque Dr Manuel Braga along the riverfront. It has wooden walkways as well as a giant green bear and…
The Beiras
A local landmark, this robust rectangular tower is one of the most visible features of the town's medieval defences. It was originally built to protect a…
The Beiras
This arched gateway framed one of the original portals in Guarda's vast defensive walls. It connected the town with routes to Covilhã and Celorico, from…
Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela
Here's the deal: revheads (big kids and small) and keen collectors will love this, others might think 'meh'. Over 3000 miniature vehicles are on display…
Núcleo da Guitarra e do Fado de Coimbra/Torre de Anto
Coimbra
The Torre de Anto, once part of the ancient city walls, takes its name from the poet António Nobre (1867–1900) who lived here in the late 19th century…
The Beiras
This annex of the Museu Histórico Militar illustrates the construction of the fortress. However, you'll need to understand Portuguese to decipher the…
The Beiras
This small display of swords and muskets in the exterior entrance of the Portas de São Francisco is an annexe of the town's military museum, the Museu…
The Beiras
This tiny museum above the turismo displays reconstructions of typical rooms in local homes, complete with tools, pottery and furniture. There are also…
Viseu
The grandest route into the old town is through the Porta do Soar, a 15th-century gate set into a section of Afonso V’s town walls. Look for the shield…
The Beiras
Adjacent to the Museu da Guarda, the Paço da Cultura stages temporary exhibitions in a suite of rooms off an 18th-century courtyard.
Viseu
One of Viseu's seven medieval gates, this has a niche containing the image of São João Baptista and an 18th-century sculpture of São Francisco.
The Beiras
One of several city gates, the Porta da Erva was constructed in the 13th century. It was originally known as the Estrela Gate.
Viseu
North of the cathedral along Rua Silva Gaio is the longest remaining stretch of Viseu's medieval town walls.
