Central Portugal

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.

Depending on where you are travelling to in the centre you might be best suited to fly to either Porto or Lisbon to reach your final destination. There are a number of flight connections from the UK to either of these airports, it's really a case of finding an airline that suits your needs best wherever you may be.

Car Hire:

We have a longstanding relationship with both Avis & Europcar and are able to offer quotes with 0 excess and no additional charges for one way drop offs, to suit your travel plans.

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:

March

International Chocolate Festival - Obidos

During several days the medieval town’s narrow streets are transformed to showcases cakes and sweets that everyone can sample and purchase. For younger visitors, the “Kids’ Chocolate House” offers recreational activities and a kitchen where they can prepare several recipes.

Adults can attend culinary classes where chocolate is always the base ingredient and also watch competitions involving professional pastry-makers, to win titles such as the “Chocolatier of the Year” and the “International Competition of Chocolate Recipes”. Revelers can also marvel at an array of chocolate sculptures on display.

May

Queima das Fitas - Coimbra

For a week the city of Coimbra throws a party for its new graduates. The student celebration attracts thousands of spectators to its parades, serenades and dances.

Festa da Divina Santa Cruz - Monsanto

This religious festival takes place on 3rd May or the following Sunday in memory of the Monsantinos' survival of the enemy siege. Processions, parades, tambourines and lots of music liven up this Templar festival complete with a medieval fair.

Pilgrimages to Fátima – Fátima – 11-13 May

Fátima is famous for its religious sanctuary and the Marian apparitions that occurred in 1917. The immense square and basilica fills with pilgrims and devotees on the anniversary of the apparition. Celebrations include multilingual masses and candlelit processions.

July

Festa dos Tabuleiros - Tomar

This ancient festival takes place every four years in Tomar. The locals parade in pairs with females carrying tabuleiros on their heads which are actually made from bread and decorated with flowers. The festival includes various traditional ceremonies & processions. Festivities take place over 10 days with concerts, music, parades, traditional ceremonies and the most beautifully decorated streets in Portugal.

Ruas Floridas de Redondo - Redondo

Around 22 roads in the town of Redondo are decorated with flowers, colourful bunting and giant paper sculptures.

Medieval market – Óbidos

Step back in time at the medieval market in Óbidos, when the walled town recreates the spirit of medieval Europe for two weeks in July. Stroll around the city to see people dressed in full medieval costume – from noblemen to merchants and jesters. Wandering minstrels play music in the streets, while entertainers and fire-eaters perform for locals and visitors. The outdoor market offers a wide selection of traditional handicrafts and a number of events are held next to the castle, including jousting tournaments.

August

Feira de São Mateus - Viseu

With roots dating back to 1392 this popular fair lasts over a month with an array of cultural events, concerts, food stalls, restaurants, fair ground rides and shops.

Check out our offers page for holidays we may be featuring associated to these events.

Weather:

Much like the Lisbon region, central Portugal has a Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild winters. As you would expect the most rainfall is seen during the winter months where temperatures can drop down to around 6ºC with highs of 17ºC. At this time of the year it is also not unusual to see snow in Serra da Estrela. The arrival of spring brings warmer temperatures although the evenings can be rather cool much like in Autumn when temperatures can reach highs of 27ºC.

Currency:

Euro

Language:

Portuguese

Electricity Plug System

Electrical supply: 230V

Dialling Code:

+351

Health & Vaccinations:

Travellers do not require certificates of vaccination or immunisations to enter Portugal. If you are from an EU member state you should bring your European Health Insurance card to be entitled to free medical & hospital care. Visitors from other countries are advised to take out a medical insurance policy.

Religion:

The majority of Portuguese are Roman Catholic.

Tipping:

Tipping is not mandatory and is at the discretion of the visitor.