21 Best Sights in Coimbra and Central Portugal, Portugal

The main draw of Figueira da Foz is the magnificent 2-km-long (1-mile-long) beach that locals claim is the widest in Europe. It has calm waters that offer plenty of shallow areas for paddling tots, making it particularly popular among families. The golden strand is so broad you'll stroll for several minutes just to get your feet wet, and it's flanked by a promenade lined with sprawling terrace cafés. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards. Best for: sunrise; sunset; swimming.  It can get crowded, but walk towards Buarcos to find the quieter stretches.

Ovar is a veritable open-air art gallery of azulejo tiles, and the city's Rua do Azulejo (literally, "Street of Tiles") is a guided route by the Atelier for the Conservation and Restoration of Tiles (ACRA), leading to some of the city's most notable examples of the distinctive style. The tourist office can provide information about start times, locations, and themed events, such as tile painting.

Above the village of Sortelha are the ruins of a small yet imposing castle. The present configuration dates back mainly to a late-12th-century reconstruction, done on Moorish foundations; further alterations were made in the 16th century. Wear sturdy shoes so that you can walk along the walls, taking in views of Spain to the east and the Serra da Estrela mountains to the west. The three holes in the balcony projecting over the main entrance were used to pour boiling pitch on intruders.

Formerly Curia railway station, this beautifully restored building now houses a wine tourism hub run by the Associação Rota da Bairrada. Dedicated to promoting the wines and gastronomy of the Bairrada region, the space includes a wine bar in the old ticket office and a regional products shop in the former waiting room, decorated with original azulejos. Visitors can sample a rotating selection of Bairrada wines by the glass, as well as regional cheeses, conserves, and other delicacies.

This is Portugal's National Pantheon, the final resting place of the country's first two kings, Dom Afonso Henriques and his son Dom Sancho I. The lower portions of the interior walls are lined with azulejos depicting various religious motifs. Look a little closer and you'll notice flaws in the design---that's because the tiles were installed in the 18th century, as a quick fix after flooding damaged the 12th-century frescos that were there originally. The 16th-century baroque organ is a sight to behold. From the sacristy, a door opens to the Casa do Capitulo (Silent Cloister); this double-tier Manueline cloister contains scenes from the Passion of Christ, attributed to Chanterene.

In the early 17th century, the head of the Order of Barefoot Carmelites, searching for a suitable location for a monastery, came upon an area of dense virgin forest. A site was selected halfway up the slope of the greenest hill, and by 1630 the simple stone structure was occupied. To preserve their world of isolation and silence, the monks built a wall enclosing the forest. Their only link with the outside was through a door facing toward Coimbra, which one of them watched over. The Coimbra Gate, still in use today, is the most decorative of the eight gates constructed since that time. Early in the 20th century, much of the original monastery was torn down to construct an opulent royal hunting lodge under the supervision of Italian architect Luigi Manini. Never used by the royal family, the multi-turreted extravaganza became a prosperous hotel—now the Palace Hotel do Bussaco—and in the years between the two world wars it was one of Europe's most fashionable vacation addresses. Today many come to Buçaco just to view this unusual structure, to stroll the shaded paths that wind through the forest, and to climb the hill past the Stations of the Cross to the Alta Cruz (High Cross), their efforts rewarded by a view that extends all the way to the sea. There's a small fee to enter with a car, but pedestrians and cyclists can stroll or cycle in for free.

Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela is Portugal’s largest protected natural area, covering much of the country’s highest mountains. It is the only place in mainland Portugal to regularly see snow, with a small ski resort operating in winter, while summer offers hiking trails, glacier valleys, and natural pools.

Belmonte sits on the edge of the park, and scenic villages such as Manteigas and Loriga lie within, providing access to trails and local culture. There is no single entrance or tickets; visitors explore via roads, trails, and guided routes. The train from Lisbon to Belmonte-Manteigas (roughly four hours) is one of Portugal’s most scenic, following the Tagus river and its tributaries through hills and valleys into the mountains.

The Centro de Interpretação da Serra da Estrela in Seia provides maps, guidance, and seasonal updates. From there, visitors can plan routes for hiking, swimming in glacial lakes, or other outdoor activities throughout the year.

Less than 15 minutes' scenic drive from the bustle of Coimbra, this gorgeous river beach attracts sunbathers and swimmers in the June through September summer season. Crystal clear waters sit against a backdrop of deep green hills, and a cafe-bar on the sands provides ample opportunity to relax with a drink and petiscos after a swim. There are lifeguards, plenty of parking, and barbecue facilities for those who fancy grilling a fresh-caught fish. It's a Blue Flag beach, meaning it meets the highest environmental and safety standards. Amenities: lifeguards; food and drink; parking. Best for: swimming. 

This 45-km (28-mile) delta of the Rio Vouga was formed in 1575, when a violent storm caused shifting sand to block the river's flow into the ocean. Over the next two centuries, as more and more sand piled up, the town's prosperity and population tumbled, recovering only when a canal breached the dunes in 1808. Today the lagoon's narrow waterways are dotted with tiny islands. Salt marshes and pine forests border the area, and the ocean side is lined with sandy beaches. In this tranquil setting, colorful moliceiro boats glide gracefully along, their owners often harvesting seaweed. The best way to see the lagoon is in one of the boats that depart from the canal across from the tourist office. A number of operators line the waterfront, most charging around €13 for a 45-minute tour.

On the Baixa district's Rua Ferreira Borges—one of the city's principal shopping streets—the very modest Arco de Almedina opens onto a courtyard. The 12th-century arch is one of the last vestiges of the medieval city walls, and above it are a Renaissance carving of the Virgin and Child and an early Portuguese coat of arms. The sino de correr (warning bell) was used from the Middle Ages until 1870 to signal the populace to run to the safety of the city walls.

On a hill between Coimbra and Figueira da Foz lies the well-kept castle of Montemor-o-Velho. Climb to the top and you'll be rewarded with some of the best views of the region. Montemor-o-Velho figures prominently in the region's history and legends. One popular story tells how the castle's defenders cut the throats of their own families to spare them a cruel death at the hands of the Moorish invaders; many died before the attackers were repulsed. The following day the escaping Moors were pursued and thoroughly defeated.

The castle walls and tower are largely intact. But, thanks to damage done during the Napoleonic invasions in 1811, little remains inside the impressive ramparts to suggest this was a noble family's home that once garrisoned 5,000 troops. Archaeological evidence indicates the hill has been fortified for more than 2,000 years. The two churches on the hill are also part of the castle complex; the Igreja de Santa Maria de Alcaçova dates back to the 11th century and contains some well-preserved Manueline additions.

At the top of the town's hill are the ruins of the 12th-century Castelo Templário. Not much remains of the series of walls and towers that once surrounded the entire community. Adjoining the ruins is the flower-covered Miradouro de São Gens, which provides a fine view of the town and surrounding countryside.

At Aveiro's northeast edge, the city's train station is an attraction in itself: the exterior of the whitewashed building displays a huge collection of 1916 azulejo panels depicting regional traditions and customs.

Facing Praça da República, in a small square a little way from the old town, you'll find the 18th-century Igreja da Misericórdia and its imposing baroque portal. The walls of the otherwise sober interior are resplendent with blue-and-white azulejos. Look out for the gilded altarpiece and finely carved woodwork, as well as the quiet courtyard next door, often missed by passers-by.

The exterior of this late-17th-century church is completely covered with blue-and-white azulejos. Inside, seven altarpieces span four centuries, crowned by a magnificent Rococo main altarpiece.

From the Old Town, the botanical garden sweeps down the side of the hill to the Mondego River. Designed by British architect William Elsden and two natural history teachers, Domingos Vandelli and Dalla Bella, it was created during the reform of the university in 1772 by the Marquis of Pombal. It's still a place of serious scientific study, with more than 1,200 species of plants covering 50 acres. There is also a foliage-filled greenhouse and a small botanical museum. The walk uphill along the marked trail takes takes around 45 minutes, or half that if you're headed down.

This bustling triangular plaza lined with cafés and restaurants sits at the foot of the Ponte Santa Clara over the Mondego River. The statue is of Joaquim António de Aguiar, and the pen in his hand represents the 1833 signing of a decree banning religious orders throughout Portugal.

Aveiro's opulent, palm-filled city park is the biggest green space in the city, attracting everybody from joggers and strolling couples to kids attracted by the playground and skate park. An open air kiosk, Café Macaca, is a lovely spot for a cold drink and a snack under the shade of the trees.

The 50,000-acre park along the Spanish border between Penamacor and Sabugal was created to protect the natural habitat of the Iberian lynx, which was threatened with extinction. Although this isn't a place of rugged beauty, it's nevertheless an attractive, quiet region of heavily wooded, low mountains with few traces of human habitation. Although you won't see the lynxes, the park also shelters wildcats, wild boars, wolves, and foxes. The northern boundary begins about 10 km (6 miles) southeast of Sabugal.

This 17th-century cathedral was patterned after the baroque church of Il Gesù in Rome, as were many such churches of the day. It took a century to build and shows two distinct styles as fashion changed from classical cleanliness to the florid baroque. Three enormous and elaborate gilded altarpieces are the highlight of the interior, flanked by 17th-century choir stalls moved here from Sé Velha (Old Cathedral). There's a pair of organs, both from the 18th century. A small and slightly bizarre ecclesiastical museum displays religious figurines in glass boxes.

A strange archaeological site on a dirt road has kept people guessing for years. The massive framework of granite blocks is thought to be of Roman origin, but experts are unable to explain its original function or provide many clues about its original appearance. Some archaeologists believe it was part of a much larger complex, possibly a Roman villa, and was subsequently used as a watchtower.