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
Northern Central Portugal includes the following districts:
Entre Bouro e Vouga : Baixo Vouga : Dão-Lafões : Serra da Estrela
About Northern Central Portugal
This region, sees the transition between the North West and the Silver Coast. It has a fine, sandy coastline which has remained relatively unspoilt and is characteristically backed by sand dunes and pine forests. And the splendour of the river valleys begins to give way to fertile plains.
The River Volga has a complex estuary where the towns of Aveiro and Ovar are situated. Nearby, is the lovely beach and wildlife refuge at São Jacinto. A fertile plain runs inland from the for about 30 kms before reaching the hills of the Serra Caramulo and Serra Gralheira. Here the villages and towns tend to be set on high ground and the land is cut with drainage channels.
Once a great sea port, Aveiro is famous for its canals and, especially, the "ria", a lagoon which links to the sea. The town of Mealhada is famous for its numerous Restaurants that attract many visitors and Santa Maria da Feira, which derives its name from its long tradition of monthly fairs. has a romantic castle on a wooded hill. Ovar is reputed to host one of the most colourful Carnival parades in Portugal.
This is a productive district - from the shoe and textile industries around São João da Madeira through to the vast milk produce of Vagos.
The area is rich in fish and water fowl. There are excellent fishing facilities both in the Aveiro lagoon and on the open sea. Hunting is permitted in season and water sports are available on the larger stretches of water.
Towns and Villages in Northern Central Portugal
Aveiro is one of Portugal's most beautiful towns - especially at night when the lights of the town are reflected in the town’s lagoon.
It is criss-crossed by a series of beautiful canals, with art nouveau houses and whitewashed fishermen's houses and spanned by hump- backed bridges reminiscent of Italy's Venice. 'Moliceiro' (colourfully painted sailboats) glide up and down the canals all day and most of the night.
Once a big sea port, Aveiro sits in a region of valleys and fertile plains. The "ria" (lagoon) was formed in the 16th century following severe storms. It covers an area of approximately 11,000 hectares, with four main inlets and countless islands and islets.
Specialities of the local cuisine include: eel stew and various sea and lagoon fish soups. Aveiro is particularly known for its sweets - especially "ovos moles" (soft eggs); sweetened egg yolk in candied casings shaped like fish or barrels.
Facilities include:
- Good range of shops
- Shopping Mall
- Cinema
- Restaurants
- Cafés
- Banks
- Post Office
- Railway Station
- Street Market
- The early morning Mercado do Peixe - the fish auction for the previous night's catch
Approximate Driving Time from Portuguese Airports:
- Porto – 1 hour
- Lisbon – 2 hours 20 minutes
- Faro – 4 hours 30 minutes
Technically just north of the Central region, the lively and charming town of Viseu is the capital of Beira Alta and the centre of the Dão wine-growing region.
Surrounded by lovely wooded scenery, the old town has interesting buildings, including the cathedral and the museum of Grão Vasco (a 16th-century artist).
The town has a fair in August and September.
Facilities include:
- Shops
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Cafés
- Banks
- Post Office
Approximate Driving Times from Portuguese Airports:
- Porto - 1 hour 35 minutes
- Lisbon - 3 hours
- Faro - 5 hours