Portugal Regions
North West ·North East ·Northern Central ·Eastern Central ·Central ·Silver Coast ·Lower Central ·Northern Alentejo ·Lisbon Coast ·Southern Lisbon Coast ·Central Alentejo ·Coastal Alentejo ·Southern Alentejo ·Western Algarve ·Central Algarve ·Eastern Algarve ·Madeira ·The Azores ·Cape Verde
Central Portugal includes the following districts:
Baixo Mondego : Pinhal Interior Norte : Pinhal Interior Sul
- The Climate in Central Portugal
- About Central Portugal
- Towns & Villages in Central Portugal
- Local Business Directory for Central Portugal
The Climate in Central Portugal
The climate here is more forgiving than the southern areas of Portugal with comfortably hot, sunny summers and crisp winter nights that quickly give way to temperatures warm enough to sit out in just a thin jumper to enjoy a morning coffee in the sunshine.
The Central region is one of Portugal’s most surprising and beautiful areas. It remains one of those ‘secrets’ that the British love, and consequently has a thriving ex-patriot community - it reminds us of the Lake District ..... but with a much better climate!
It is about one hour’s drive south of Porto and two hours north of Lisbon. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty and full of deep contrasts. From the sandy beaches on the west coast, this landscape is one of rolling hills covered in pine and eucalyptus forests; lush green valleys; and the high mountain peaks. Numerous rivers slowly meander through the towns and villages. This is a region bursting with breathtaking views, characterised by soothing colours and enhanced by the wonderful scents of Mimosa in the late winter and Eucalyptus and Pine in the summer.
Central Portugal is home to the “Oxford” of Portugal - Coimbra. Sited on a hill overlooking the River Mondego, life in this historic and atmospheric city is focussed around the university and complimented by a diverse range of cultural attractions …… Coimbra is definitely a city to nourish the soul.
Travel just a few kilometres to the south east of this ancient City and you will find yourself in the heart of this Central region. Life in Central Portugal is relatively inexpensive and those who relish good food will discover that the local bars, restaurants and cafés offer tasty, wholesome Portuguese fare which, when washed down with very palatable local wine, is so affordable that there really is no better excuse for not cooking at home!
Leisure facilities and pursuits in the region include:
- water park
- swimming
- fishing
- boating
- canoing
- walking
- horse-riding
- river beaches
- Louçainha
- Poço Corga (near Castanheira de Péra)
- Nossa Sra da Piedade de Tábuas (near Miranda do Corvo)
Praia das Rocas water park is situated just outside Castanheira de Péra . Set in 10 hectares, Praia das Rocas has a 7,000 m² circular swimming pool and a wave pool with waves up to 2.10 m high!
Louçainha has natural, fresh water pools where you can swim and bathe - there is also a café and picnic area. Louçainha is set in the Serra da Espinhal and lies approximately 6 kms to the east of Penela and is south of Miranda do Corvo.
Poço Corga - Set on the river de Pera, south of the Louçã Mountain Range, are the river beaches at Poço Corga with restaurant, bar, wcs and sports.
There is also a natural swimming pool close to Miranda da Corvo called Nossa Sra da Piedade de Tábuas.
Towns and Villages in Central Portugal
- Alvaiázere
- Ansião
- Arganil
- Castanheira de Péra
- Coimbra
- Condeixa-a-Nova
- Figueira da Foz
- Figueiró dos Vinhos
- Lousã
- Miranda do Corvo
- Pedrógão Grande
- Penela
- Soure
- Vila de Rei
- Vila Nova de Poiares
This small town has a 16th century Mother Church, a 1930's domed bandstand and lots between!
The landscape is one of valleys where the slopes are covered with vineyards and olive groves; and crossed by the calm waters of the rivers Nabão and Alge.
From the top of the Alvaiázere sierra, the highest peak in the mountain range, there are fantastic views over the fertile, green plains interspersed with pine woods and tiny villages of white and ochre houses.
The county is also rich in caves (algares) - situated in the north-east of the sierra is the Algar da Água (water cave) which is about eight metres high and has springs, stalactites and stalagmites.
Produce of this area includes an excellent olive-oil which is used in many of the regional dishes, for example: roast rabbit in wine sauce; corn soup with cabbage; and cod with chícharos (a type of kidney bean).
Local handicrafts include: inlaid wood, basketry and rugs.
Facilities include:
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Restaurants
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Cafés
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Bars
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Shops
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Banks
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Post Office
Approximate Driving Times from Portuguese Airports:
- Lisbon - 1 hour 45 minutes
- Porto - 2 hours 10 minutes
- Faro - 4 hours
A small market town situated approximately 15 minutes' drive from Pombal where the A1 motorway connects Lisbon to Porto. Situated between the Coast and the Mountains, it is in the district of Leiria. This area is characterised by pine forest.
Facilities include:
- Cinema
- Banks
- Hairdresser
- Library
- Sports Centre
- Fresh Produce Market
- Restaurants
- Pre, Primary and Secondary Schools
- Health Centre
- Chemist
Leisure
- Sports Centre
Approximate Driving Time from Portuguese Airports
- Lisbon – 1 hour 50 minutes
- Porto – 1 hour 55 minutes
- Faro – 4 hours
The market town of Arganil is set in dramatic countryside which includes the lowlands of the Mondego and the heights of the Serra do Açor (Goshawk mountain). This is an area of extreme beauty - where isolated villages perch on mountainsides.
This county is the source of the river Alva is born where it runs down slopes to reach green fields of corn and fertile vegetable plots.
Facilities include:
- good range of shops
- supermarket
- a weekly market (held on a Thursday)
- banks
- post office
- library
- cafés
- restaurants
- Hospital with emergency centre
- Doctors
- Dentists
- Schools
- nursery
- infant
- primary
- secondary
- Parks
- Picnic areas
- Public swimming pool
- Campsite
Approximate Driving Time from Portuguese Airports
- Porto - 2 hours
- Lisbon - 2 hours 35 minutes
- Faro - 4 hours 30 minutes
Castanheira de Péra is situated on the high plains of the Serra da Lousã, north east of the town of Leiria. This is an area dominated by pine forests and the Rio Péra, the latter with fresh, clean water and a river beach at Poço Corga. There is a water park at Praias das Rocas (approximately 1 km outside Castanheira de Péra), set in 10 hectares with a circular pool of 7,000 m² and a wave pool with waves up to 2.10 m high!
Facilities include:
- Shops
- Restaurants
- Cafés
- Library
- Internet Café
- Chemist
- Health Centre
- Pre, Primary & Secondary Schools
- Post Office
- Bank
Leisure
- Water Park at Praia das Rocas
- River Beach at Poço Corga
Approximate Driving Time from Portuguese Airports
- Porto – 2 hours 15 minutes
- Lisbon – 2 hours 15 minutes
- Faro – 4 hours
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Facilities include:
- Good long-distance transport – buses and train services
- Extensive shopping
- Large selection of restaurants, cafés and bars
- Banks
- Post Offices
- Hospital
- International Shopping Mall
- Schools
- University
Leisure
- Numerous Cultural Attractions
- International football stadium
- International pop concerts
- Theatre
- Ballet
- Multi-screen Cinema
- Canoing
Approximate Driving Time from Portuguese Airports
- Porto – 1 hour 20 minutes
- Lisbon – 1 hour 50 minutes
- Faro – 3 hours 30 minutes
Situated approximately 15 kilometres south of the city of Coimbra. This is a self-sufficient, busy market town set just a few kilometres from the main Lisbon to Porto motorway. This is a region seeped in history and is famous for its excavation of roman ruins, Coimibriga, which is the largest site in Portugal - we are reliably informed that this is very impressive and well worth a visit. The town also has an excellent Pousada.
Facilities include:
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Cafés
- Shops
- Supermarkets
- Banks
- Post Office
- Schools
- Market
- Outdoor Swimming Pools
Approximate Driving Time from Portuguese Airports
- Porto – 1 hour 25 minutes
- Lisbon – 1 hour 40 minutes
- Faro – 3 hours 30 minutes
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This is a popular and well-established seaside resort and fishing centre, particularly favoured by the Portuguese. Its main attractions are its Casino, fantastic surf and huge sandy beach. The surfing beaches lie to the north of the town and there are lovely secluded beaches past the Cabo Mondego headland.
Facilities include:
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Casino
- Marina
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Cafés
- Shops
- Banks
- Post Office
- Railway Station
- Bus Services
Approximate Driving Time from Portuguese Airports
- Porto – 1 hour 30 minutes
- Lisbon – 1 hour 45 minutes
- Faro – 4 hours
The town has a lovely municipal garden and the Mother Church, which is classified as a national monument, has a beautiful Renaissance portal, an altarpiece with paintings by José Malhoa (a well-known 19th century Portuguese artist who lived here) and a 13th-century burial vault. There is a Handicrafts Centre in the town which is open throughout the year and sells region's traditional products including: wicker, wood, tin and woven fabrics.
This is an area of lush, green scenery; highlands and valleys; fertile fields; and lots of water - streams, dams and lakes. The Alge stream, which is a tributary of the River Zêzere, has fishing and other water sports.
Local specialities include: many dishes with freshwater fish including trout and carp; sweetened chestnuts; and pão-de-ló (a kind of sponge cake).
Facilities include:
- Supermarket
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Cafés
- Banks
- Internet café
- Doctors Surgery
Approximate Driving Times from Portuguese Airports:
- Porto - 2 hours 15 minutes
- Lisbon - 2 hours
- Faro - 3 hours 55 minutes
Lousã is a charming town surrounded by hills, olive groves and lush vegetation and the land rises to meet the mountains of the Serra da Lousã.
Facilities include:
- Banks with ATMs
- Shops
- Supermarkets
- Swimming pool
- Restaurants
- Cafés
- Bus station
- Leisure activities include:
- hiking
- off-road driving
- rock climbing
- trout fishing
- hunting (wild boar and deer)
- natural lake - with a restaurant
Approximate Driving Times from Portuguese Airports:
- Porto - 1 hour 55 minutes
- Lisbon - 2 hours 15 minutes
- Faro - 4 hours
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An attractive Market Town with interesting Portuguese architecture and a ruined castle, situated approximately 20 km south of the University City of Coimbra and set on the edge of the Serra da Lousã (mountains). It is about 15 minutes drive from the Lisbon/Porto motorway.
Facilities include:
- Good range of shops
- Supermarkets
- Market - held on a Wednesday
- Restaurants
- Cafés
- Bars
- Hospital
- Health Centre
- Hotel
- Banks
- Post Office
- Dry Cleaners
- Cinema
- Railway Station – train services to Coimbra and Lousã
- Primary and Secondary Schools
Leisure
- Castle
- Mountain water Swimming Pool nearby
- Riding School
Approximate Driving Time from Portuguese Airports
- Porto – 1 hour 50 minutes
- Lisbon – 2 hours 5 minutes
- Faro – 3 hours 55 minutes
The countryside here features mountains and deep gorges that contrast with the calm waters in the lakes (formed by dams) and the intense green of vast wooded areas.
At the heart of this market town, a large square (Largo da Devesa) has a pleasant garden full of leafy trees.
Nearby is the Cabril Dam on the River Zêzere with a river swimming pool and surrounded by terraced hillsides. Fishing is permitted on the dam of Bouçã with: carp; perches and dace.
Specialities of the local cuisine include: a soup with a variety of fish; wild boar with beans; and açorda de carne de porco (a bread dish with pork).
The traditional handicrafts include: wood; cork; tin; fine lace; and embroideries
Facilities include:
- market
- shops
- banks
- cinema
- pools
- restaurants
- cafés
- bars
Approximate Driving Times from Portuguese Airports:
- Porto - 2 hours 15 minutes
- Lisbon - 2 hours 10 minutes
- Faro - 4 hours
An unspoilt, picturesque town dominated by the walls of a Moorish Castle with outstanding views of the Serra da Lousã and the village of Corujeira. Penela is host to a number of colourful folk festivals, the largest of which is the festival of São Miguel in September and well worth a visit.
Facilities include:
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Cafés - including an internet café
- Good selection of shops
- Bakery
- Small supermarket
- Weekly Market - held on Wednesdays
- Banks with ATMs
- Post Office
- Chemist
- Medical centre
- Dentists
- Cinema - films showing Friday and Saturday evenings, Sunday afternoons. Children's matinée on Saturdays
- Library
- Schools
- Petrol Stations
- Indoor and outdoor swimming pools & other sporting facilities
- Festivals
Approximate Driving Time from Portuguese Airports
- Porto – 1 hour 40 minutes
- Lisbon – 1 hour 55 minutes
- Faro – 3 hours 45 minutes
A typical Portuguese town, Soure is well positioned for access to the Silver Coast beaches and the main Lisbon/Porto motorway. It is set on fertile lowland crossed by three tributaries of the great river Mondego.
Produce of this area includes: rice, wine, olive oil, corn and potatoes.
Specialities of the local cuisine include: sponge-cake; olive oil biscuits of Soure; and home-made Rabaçal cheese from the mountain village of Degracias.
The annual festival is held every September.
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Facilities include:
- Shops
- Restaurants
- Cafés
- Banks
- Cinema
- Swimming Pool
Approximate Driving Time from Portuguese Airports
- Porto – 1 hour 40 minutes
- Lisbon – 1 hour 50 minutes
- Faro – 3 hours 40 minutes
The small town county town of Vila de Rei is home to an 18th-century Parish Church and the Miserichord Chapel.
The surrounding countryside is covered with pine woods and is situated in the geographical centre of Portugal - as indicated by the 600 metre (2,000 feet) tower at Milriça Peak (well worth a visit to see the fantastic, far-reaching views). This area is also home to the Penedo Furado (pierced boulder) - in a site of great natural beauty.
Another place worth visiting is the Saint Michael Castro, a National Monument sited at the top of the Ladeira mountains. At an altitude of about 493 metres (1,600 ft), this fortified walled settlement is thought to be of Celtic origin and dating from the Iron Age.
Facilities include:
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Restaurants
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Cafés
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Bank
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Post Office
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Shops
Approximate Driving Times from Portuguese Airports:
- Lisbon - 1 hour 35 minutes
- Porto - 3 hours 5 minutes
- Faro - 3 hours 25 minutes
This town is set in a lovely landscape - framed by the Carvalho, Bidueiro and Soutelo mountains and crossed by the fresh waters of the rivers Mondego, Alva and Ceira. The are is peppered with typical houses (with porches and balconies), windmills, chapels and churches.
Local handicrafts follow a great tradition and include: the famous local black pottery; woodwork; basketry; carved ornamental toothpicks (originally cake and sweet decorations carved by nuns who came to live at the nearby Monastery of Lorvão in 1200).
Local cuisine includes two speciality dishes with strong, rural flavours: chanfana (goat stew with red wine) and arroz de bucho (pork belly stuffed with rice).
Facilities include:
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Restaurants
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Cafés
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Banks
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Post Office
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Supermarket
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Shops
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Weekly market
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Hospital
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Fire Station
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Schools
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Leisure facilities include:
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Go-Karting Track with a Bar
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Bowling Alley with pool tables and night club/bar
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large sports complex with Swimming Pools, Tennis Courts, restaurants, etc.
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several outdoor swimming pools in the locality
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Approximate Driving Times from Portuguese Airports:
- Porto - 1 hour 40 minutes
- Lisbon - 2 hours, 15 minutes
- Faro - 4 hours