Places in central Portugal to escape from nearby – Portugal
Photograph: Óbidos Lagoon| the world of travel
Pateira de Fermentelos
The hottest days call for a beach, maybe a river, but why not also a lagoon? In Central Portugal, there are lagoons, like the Pateira de Fermenteloswhich is a great option for those who like to nature, hiking, birdwatching and sports, sports.
Pateira de Fermentelos, located in the Aveiro Region, also known by the beautiful name of “Lagoa Adormecida” is considered the largest natural lagoon in the Iberian Peninsula. It is rich in fauna and flora and its Wetland was integrated into the Natura 2000 Network, which protects the most important European ecosystems. It is home to several species of birds such as curlews, black kite and other nationally and internationally protected species, which is wonderful for those who enjoy bird watching and nature photography. The otter, the water mole and the Iberian frog are other species that can be observed in this place.
In recent years, the Lagoa has been the object of several conservation and protection actions and routes for walking, horseback riding or cycling. A picnic area and several places for bird and plant observation were installed, as well as for fishing and canoeing. Accommodation is also not a problem because in Fermentelos, in addition to other accommodation options, there is one of the most iconic inns in the country — the Hotel Estalagem da Pateira.
viseu
viseu it quickly conquers us with its history, monuments, good people, good food and good wine. What more can you ask for from a vacation destination?
There is no shortage of things to do in the city of Viriato. You can visit Cathedral and Grão Vasco National Museum; stroll through Rua Formosa, the beautiful Praça da República and Parque do Fontelo and also visit the great Feira de São Mateus which runs from early August to mid-September.
Make one Dão Wine Route, for those who appreciate this nectar of the gods, it’s a must! It starts at the Solar do Vinho do Dão (or former Episcopal Palace) and is one of the most sensorial routes in Viseu. If you appreciate haute cuisine, don’t forget to make a reservation at the Michelin-starred restaurant Mesa de Lemos, and let chef Diogo Rocha guide you on an unforgettable gastronomic journey.
Sports lovers were not disappointed: they can also tour the Dão greenway — the biggest cycle path in Portugal. It is located on the old Dão railway line (deactivated in 1988) and is the perfect place to discover landscapes, old pick-up stations, bridges, the Dão and Paiva rivers, even a steam locomotive. The cycle starts at Rua Adelino Pino and ends at the bus station. It has a length of 49 km (98 km round trip).
butters
Butters, located in Natural Park of Serra da Estrela It is a spectacular spectacle that offers us beauty, with an emphasis on things, and our country offers some of the best attractions, with an emphasis on cheeses and a special highlight.
“The heart of Serra da Estrela”, as Manteigas is also known, has a rich cultural heritage, but the greatest wealth of the region is undoubtedly its incredible natural heritage. Those who have traveled the narrow mountain roads are treated to incredible landscapes at all times. As more than many attractions, Poço do Inferno can be highlighted – a waterfall that, due to its rare beauty and crystalline waters, becomes an ex-libris of Serra da Estrela; O Zêzere Glacier Valley – the largest valley of glacial origin in the Serra; ONE Tower – the second highest point in Portugal and the Covão da Ametade – one of the most beautiful places in Serra da Estrela, which offers visitors a leisure area with essential support structures: a campsite open all year round, bar and changing rooms, picnic area and grills.
River beaches of Serra da Lousã
ONE Serra da Lousã hides precious treasures in its hills. stand out as Shale Villages, that delight all visitors, and the river beaches, how much more pleasant on hot summer days.
The main river beaches of Serra da Lousã are the Senhora da Piedade River Beach, Bogueira River Beach and Senhora da Graça River Beach.
ONE River Beach of Senhora da Piedade, on the ribeira de S. João, is part of a scenario of natural beauty where there is a lack of incredible places located in order to provide visitors with moments of rest and peace. Shale is a constant presence. Everything around the beach is made of shale, including the diving board, which is approximately 1.75 meters high. There is a shallower natural pool for children to cool off and play at will and a bar with an eplanade and fantastic views over the mountains and the Chapels of Nossa Senhora Piedade.
ONE Senhora da Graça river beach, located at the entrance to Serpins, uses the Ceira River to offer leisurely days and refreshing baths, both in the river bed and in the children’s pool. The valley surrounded by forest, where the fluã beach fits in, offers the most dynamic vacation proposals, activities such as hiking, mountain biking, slide and canoeing — all great ways to discover the rich natural and built heritage of Serra da Louã.
ONE Bogueira River Beach It is also born from the waters of the Ceira River. Location in the town of Casal de Ermio, welcoming holidaymakers and other visitors, on their walks through the county’s Schist Villages and is designed for families with children, both because it is supervised and the pool for the little ones.
All these beaches were awarded with the Blue FlagThey are called Accessible Beachesthat allows access to all people with supportive mobility and has access to all infrastructures to support bathers.
Ervedeira Lagoon
Located in the parish of Coimbrão, north of the municipality of LeiriaLagoa da Ervedeira is another haven of peace, leisure and nature that we can find in Central Portugal.
An excellent place for vacationers, the Lagoa is 600 meters long and has 2 areas, sought after for beach activities, sport fishing and other activities, such as canoeing. This lagoon of tranquility in the water, sweet its landscape by nature for 2018 forest, but now it is in frank definition, allowing the return of the tranquility that is a characterization. It has a support bar, picnic area and a wooden walkway..
Take your family to this unique place of peace, less than 30 kilometers from the center of Leiria and take the opportunity to visit the historic center of this beautiful Portuguese city. Let yourself be enchanted by its castle and picturesque streets and don’t forget to taste a breeze of lis!
Sarzedas village
The village of Sarzedas, located in the region of low edge is one of 27 Shale Villages distributed by the Center of Portugal. Of singular beauty, it is distinguished by the traces of color that mark the facades of the houses.
Your Pelourinho, Largo, Churches and Chapels, stand out in an urban fabric with houses with a beautiful layout that attest to the presence of History. In Alto de São Jacinto, next to the Igreja Matriz, the Belfry with its Bell Tower – which was left from the Church on the Outeiro – stands alone over the village that has gained a new lease of life with the recovery of community spaces such as the Lavadouro and Fountain of the Village. Nearby, the ruins of the old medieval castle, whose origins date back to the time of settlement, in the reign of Sancho I, have not forgotten the antiquity of this special and magical place, where you can’t help but taste sardines — like those typical of this village.
dornes
Mythical land of the Templarsthe small village of Dornes is full of stories and secrets to discover.
Located about 10 km from Ferreira do Zêzere, in a cove of Albufeira do Castelo do Bode, it helps us with its picturesque houses and traditions, to escape the urban and enter a more, more relaxed pace, where everything does more meaning and life regains its beauty and color.
Its river beach is a little paradise. It is an excellent destination for lovers of nautical or extreme sports. Activities include several mountain biking trails, boat trips, canoeing, skiing and diving (which allows exploring the old submerged villages when the Castelo do Bode Dam was built).
If you want something more peaceful, just pass the surrounding landscape, walk along the streets of the beautiful village or simply rest on the banks of the river.
Óbidos Lagoon
With almost 7 km, the Lagoa de Óbidos is one of the most beautiful Lagoons in Central Portugal. It borders the municipalities of Caldas da Rainha and Óbidos, allowing an easy visit to these two Portuguese cities.
This lagoon is separated from the sea by a string of coastal dunes, being considered by many as a place ideal for water sports or stand up paddle.
In addition to the great diversity of birds, the harvesting of bivalve molluscs – clams, cockles and mussels – plays an important role in this region. So, if you visit this area, be sure to try some of these bivalves in the local restaurants, they are delicious!