Coimbra district |
Eat and sleep
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Personal notes
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Other opinions
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My favorites:
*** Not to be missed: Coimbra ** Very interesting Conimbriga Piódão Aldeias de Xisto * Interesting: Figueira da Foz Lousã With time: Arganil, Avô, Coja |
Arganil |
Famous for the dramatic roads across the forests that are the highlights of Portuguese rally, this remote city gathers some of the most preserved natural landscapes (now severely damaged by the fires in 2017).
Hard to reach because of the difficult winding roads, it is not a common destination for those who don't appreciate car racing. I´m one of those... |
S. Pedro chapel
The oldest monument in Arganil is this small chapel, located at the north entrance of town. It was built in the 13th century, and it was designed for the funerary chapel of the owners, which would not happen (they were buried in Santarém). The interior remains undressed, reason why the visit (only possible asking the key to the keeper) has a reduced interest. The most curious is its construction in loose stones, with local origin, only using masonry in the arches and wedges. |
Avô |
Coimbra
The capital of romance, Coimbra has much to show to the visitors. The library of the University is something not to be missed, and, if your visit coincides with any student event, then, be prepared... life is a feast! Standing halfway between Lisbon and Porto, it is common to make Coimbra an overnight stop. |
Coja
I was taken to Coja by some friends, in a trip across the central area of Portugal.
I must confess that I had passed there more than a dozen times without stopping. Not anymore. Coja became a perfect place for a break in any kind of trips in the area, and, next time, I know what to search for, and where. |
Figueira da Foz |
Lousã |
Piódão
Piódão is so remote and hard to reach that its visit demands, at least four hours from Coimbra. However, it is so beautiful that, if you have the needed time, a car, and guts to face the narrow winding roads, you should consider the visit. Piódão is a lost gem, something tight to the past, preserved by and for tourism. A Must see, indeed! |
Talasnal (Aldeias de Xisto - Shale villages)
A wide project s helping the recuperation of 28 isolated villages in the remote center of Portugal. Spread in wonderful landscape, the reconstruction respects traditional architecture, and the sometimes terrific access is being modernized. For being one of the most beautiful, more advanced in recuperation and easy to access, Talasnal is, maybe the number one of those villages.
Useful information is published in Aldeias do Xisto (unfortunately only in Portuguese)
Useful information is published in Aldeias do Xisto (unfortunately only in Portuguese)