Central Portugal

The diverse region of Central Portugal stretches from the busy coastal resort of Figueira da Foz to the heady heights of the Serra da Estrela, Portugal’s highest mountain range. The landscape varies significantly from vineyards, wheat fields and market gardens to green pine forests and natural lagoons.

Coimbra, a fascinating and bustling town, is home to Portugal’s oldest university and, as such, one of its main tourist attractions. This stately old town is also the perfect base from which to access the forest of Bucaco and its 700 native and exotic plant species, including the venerable ‘Bucaco Cedar’.

This vast area is also a land steeped in history and legend, with a rich heritage of fortified towns and castles, idyllic villages with slate roof houses painted in white and ochre and a world of Roman columns and mosaic pavements as in Conimbriga. Defending Portugal’s borders from Spanish invasion was of extreme importance during the reign of King Dinis (1279-1325). The towns of Almeida, Guarda and Belmonte are perfect examples of these fortified townships.