The centre of Portugal is a diverse region, home to mainland Portugal’s highest mountain range, Serra da Estrela as well as the historic cities of Tomar, Coimbra, Guarda and the pilgrimage destination of Fatima. In the centre is where you will also find the enchanting Schist Villages painstakingly restored to their original charm and the seaside towns of Nazare and Peniche, famed for their big waves and some of the best seafood in the country.
Coimbra, located on the banks of the Mondego river is a medieval town rich in history and art. It is home to the oldest university in Portugal with a vibrant nightlife and artisan scene stemming from its student population. Perched on a hill with views of the river and city, lies the university. Founded in 1290 it receives a number of tourists who come especially to visit its baroque Joanina Library and the Chapel of Sao Miguel. Steeped in history with lavish gardens, magnificent monuments and historical landmarks, Coimbra makes a great base for discovering this region of Portugal.
The Natural Park of Serra da Estrela is a vast area of natural beauty with 300km of trails, endless landscapes and glacial lagoons. It offers unique opportunities for hiking and climbing as well as being home to Portugal’s first medical mountain spa, o Aquadome. Nearby you will find Portugal’s highest city, Guarda with a rich historical past. This pretty town has a charming historical centre with churches, traditional houses and cobbled streets.
A visit to Viseu would not go a miss. A beautifully preserved historic town perched high on a hill, with the ancient Sé Cathedral looming over it. Known for its religious arts and renaissance architecture but also for its mouth-watering cuisine and Dão wine from the neighbouring Dão region.
The city of Aveiro is also a popular tourist destination, situated on the edge of the Ria de Aveiro, a saltwater lagoon historically farmed for its salt & seaweed. The colourful traditional moliceiro boats which were once used to collect the seaweed now standby to transport tourists through the crisscross network of canals. Aveiro, unlike a lot of Portuguese towns and cities is relatively flat so you can get around easily either on foot or on one of the BUGA bicycles which are free to rent. The town has numerous squares, churches, restaurants and shops and if you are a fan of architecture, Aveiro has some wonderful Art Nouveau buildings and even a museum dedicated to this movement.
Heading back down to the lower part of the centre region is the city of Tomar, once the religious home of the Knights Templar and later the Order of Christ. This ancient religious order was based at the Convento de Cristo, a sprawling convent which along with the Castelo de Tomar was classified by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The city itself sits along the banks of the Nabão River and has a calm ambience with a scenic town square surrounded by traditional houses and a 15th Century church. The medieval Almoural Castle which sits on a tiny island in the middle of the Tagus River is a 30 minute drive from Tomar and accessible by boat.
The monasteries of Alcobaça and Batalha complete the treasure trove of historic and artistic monuments in this region and the city of Obidos, encircled by a fortified wall remains one of the most well preserved examples of medieval architecture.
Central Portugal is home to a variety of festivals that celebrate its history, culture and traditions. Here are some of the most notable festivals in the region:
