Sightseeing in Central Portugal

Serra da Estrela (Mountains of the Stars).

Personally for me, nothing in Portugal, can ever beat this fantastically beautiful mountain
range. 1993 metres above sea level at its highest point, it has layers of different worlds as
one drives up, some green and lush and some hard, bare and stony. I have driven
through there on my own and heard myself amazedly repeating over and over "this is
beautiful, oh, this is beautiful". Every different trip was a new experience. Driving through
a terrifying blizzard with snow 3 metres thick on each side of the road. Driving in thick fog,
the bare open isolated stretches of scenery looking like one was on the moon. On a lovely
warm day, blue sky, clear views below seeming to stretch over the whole of Portugal.
The Black Madonna, is a life size statue of the Virgin Mary, hewn out of the rocks along
the roadside near then peak. In the little mountain villages they sell puppies along the
roadside and it can be quite hard to resist having a look inside the interesting craft shops
selling sheepskin products, mountain cheese, hams, sausages, honey, liqueur, thick brown
rye bread, handknitted chunky jerseys and colourful ceramics. If there is only one place
in Portugal to see, this is IT.

Coimbra:
Only 42 km away from the coast, this lovely old University town is a must to visit even if it
is just once. Visited by many tourists including many Portuguese ones, there are a
myraid of tourist attractions to visit including a mini Portugal for children. The
cathedrals are impressive if one likes visiting churches as well as the University itself.
The allegedly best Orthopedic hospital in the world, also finds itself in this friendly city.
Conimbriga: About 20 km south of Coimbra not far in from the main Lisbon highway,
is the most interesting of Roman ruins. Exquisitely preserved mosiacs cannot fail to
impress and delight all those who take the time to visit. Also to be seen are an
aquaduct and baths. There are interesting remains of big houses as well as shops.
Lousa: Lousa brings to mind the words "wood" and "forest" and so it is not strange
to find that there is a big paper factory. 2 miles south of the town, high up in the
forests is the remains of an interesting old castle. Beside this, tucked in the folds of
the hills are three shrines forming a sanctuary called Our Lady of Piety. A long
climb up, but well worth it. Many little winding paradisical walking paths can be
followed along the river by those who love exploring.

Luso:
This is probably Portugal's most famous spa town where one can take your 5 litre
empty bottle(s) and fill them up with the delicious water for free. Many Portuguese
and some foreign people visit there to benefit from the therapeutic value of the hot
water which is alleged to relieve many who suffer from ailments like rheaumatism, of
their symptoms. This famous water can be purchased in bottled form all over the country.
In Luso there are also some grand hotels and an interesting souvenir street market, a
lovely rolling garden park and a tea house with delicious cakes to thrill the palate.

Bucaco :
This is what I imagine the real paradise to look like. Part ancient woodland and part
aboretum, it is a magic place, filled with centuries old cycads and other prehistoric
seeming plants and trees. Long shady winding walks and tracks, crossing over streams
and passing the little chapels and grottos of the hermits who used to roam there. Most
interesting of all is the former Manueline monastery, now the luxury Grand Palace Hotel.
If the outside is impressive, one will rave about the internal architecture and decoration.

Piodao:
Hanging on the the bleak precipices of the Serra de Acor, this is called the most authentic
Portuguese village. Absolutely everything is built of slate even the streets where it is laid
vertically. Out of the way, and, until recently, only reachable with a 4 x 4, it is definitely
worth a visit.

Aveiro:
This is an individual little city, with whitewashed fishermans' houses, along canals,
very flat and often misty, and is surrounded by lagoons. Architecturally it is interesting
due to the many colourful candy striped wooden fishermans cottages built along the
dunes as well as some Arte Nouveau mansions in the city. The fish market is a hive of
activity in the early mornings when the previous night's catch are peddled. Interesting
city.

Mira:
This is one of the three most popular beaches along the west coat of Central Portugal.
A long wide white beach, it is one of the quieter ones around, so ideal for those who
seek to sunbathe in peace and quiet. A few nice fish restaurants are located along
the boulevard.

Figueira da Foz:
This city situated on the west the coast is amazingly cosmopolitan and lively. It is
here that a great part of the Portuguese population themselves holiday. In summer
the beach is packed with visitors and the boulevard often one long tailback of
sportscars, buggys and mopeds.With an unbelievably wide beach this is THE holiday
centre of the north.

Further beyond.........

Below just a few of my personal favourites:

Outside of Central Portugal the sights one MUST try not to miss are: The Convent
at Mafra, the
walled medieval town of Obidos, the double bridge in Porto, the whole of Lisbon,
Evora and
Marvao