4 Best Sights in Arouca, Coimbra and Central Portugal

This zigzag wooden walkway along the Paiva River offers scenic views of the river and the Arouca Geopark. From start to finish, the 8-km-long (5-mile-long) trail takes about 2½ hours and allows visitors to experience the surrounding landscape—waterfalls, granite cliffs, endangered species, and five geosites—without disrupting it. There's river beach access from the walkway, including the popular Praia do Vau midway through, perfect for a refreshing dip. The walkway has a modest €2 entrance fee (tickets required in advance). Near the Areinho entrance, you'll find the spectacular 516 Arouca suspension bridge, though separate €12 tickets are required to cross it. You can access the walkway from either Espiunca or Areinho. Check in advance that all sections of planned routes are open, as some parts required major rebuilding following wildfire damage in summer 2024. If in doubt, go with a walking tour.  While there are cafés located at both ends of the trail, make sure you pack enough water and snacks and wear comfortable walking shoes as this is a strenuous hike, requiring you to climb a lot of stairs, and can be especially challenging in the summer heat.

Covering an area of 126 square miles, this UNESCO-recognized park is home to one of the longest pedestrian suspension bridges in the world, the 516 Arouca. The park itself is surrounded by the Freita, Montemuro, and Arada Mountains and crisscrossed by several rivers including the Paiva River, which makes it a great place for canyoning, canoeing, kayaking, and mountain climbing. There are 41 significant geosites—including a collection of giant trilobite (ancient marine animals) fossils, some of which are 465 million years old—and 14 mostly easy hiking trails that take visitors to the sites. The park is also home to the world-famous Paiva Walkways.

The 516 Arouca bridge was created with the intention of raising Arouca's profile as a tourist destination, and its opening in 2021 as the world's longest pedestrian suspension bridge (it was surpassed in 2022) led to a sudden influx of curious visitors. The 516-meter-long (1,693-feet-long) bridge, suspended 175 meters (574 feet) above the Paiva River, offers breathtaking views of the Aguieiras Waterfall, Paiva River gorge, and surrounding Arouca Geopark. The metal grid floor allows views straight down to the river below. Visitors cross in guided groups at scheduled times. Two access points require short hikes from parking: Areinho (500 stairs) or Alvarenga (easier 20-minute walk).

Some of the world’s largest trilobite fossils—ancient marine creatures that could grow up to 90 cm long (nearly 3 feet)—are on display at this museum in Canelas, a village about 7 km (a 10-minute drive) southeast of Arouca, within the Arouca UNESCO Global Geopark. Set among the slate hills and forested slopes of the Freita Ridge, the fossils were discovered in nearby quarries and were key to the region’s Geopark status. Opened in 2006, the small museum showcases these Ordovician-era giants as its star attraction. Allow 20 minutes or so for the short film which tells the fascinating story of these creatures and their discovery in Arouca.