Central Portugal is full of history and culture and with an abundance of picturesque towns and villages. Below are some suggestions of places to visit

> Home
> Holiday Accomodation
> Activity Holidays					Praia das Rocas Castanheira de Pera Opening Times Tuesday-Sunday 10am to 7pm
> Property Management
> Property for Sale
> Useful Information
> Eating Out
> Local History
> Local Activities
> Local Services
> Places to Visit
> Castanheira de Pera			Praia das Rocas open air swimming pool with wave machine. Located in the centre of Castanheira de Pera town, there is ample free parking spaces and a great day out, well worth a visit.
> Figueiró dos Vinhos
> Pedrógão Grande
> louçainha
> Lousã					Poço Corga Praia Fluvial Castanheira de Pera Opening Times All year round
> Góis
> Figueira da Foz
> Serra da Estrela
> Praia da Pedrógão
> Nazaré
> Peniche Harbour
> Évora
> Elvas
> Coimbra			A natural fresh water river beach a few minutes drive from Castanheira de Pera town. With ample shaded areas to sit and open spots to sunbath and a restuarant/cafe bar within walking distance, Poço Corga is a great place for a day out.
> Conimbriga
> Batalha
> Buçaco
> Dornes
> Horticulture					Capela St António da Neve Castanheira de Pera Opening Times All year round
> Books, CDs and DVDs
> Contact Us
> Site Map
> Links
> News & Events
> Public Transport
			A small chapel over 200 hundred years old sits at the top of Santo António da Neve in the mountain range of Lousã. Take the mountain road from Castanheira de Pera to Lousã and follow the signs to ´Capela e Poços´. In 1954 the chapel was acquired by the council of Castanheira de Pera and in 1986 was classified a listed building.
					Os Poços St António da Neve Castanheira de Pera Opening Times All year round
			Beside the Capela de Santo António da Neve stand 3 stone houses (poços) used many years ago to store ice. Take the mountain road from Castanheira de Pera to Lousã and follow the signs to ´Capela e Poços´.
			> top of page
					Foz de Alge Figueiró dos Vinhos Opening Times All year round
			Foz de Alge, a natural fresh water lake, used locally for fishing, swimming, sailing or just relaxing and soaking up the sun shine. Take a picnic or eat out at 2 local restaurants/cafe bars.
					Ana Aldeia de Aviz Praia Fluvial Figueiró dos Vinhos Opening Times All year round
			Ana Aldeia de Aviz praia fluvial located just off the IC8. During the summer months various activities are held such as aquatic games, gimnastics, rafting and treasure hunts. There is also an onsite restaurant and cafe bar.
			> top of page
					Barragem Cabril Pedrógão Grande Opening Times All year round
			Barragem Cabril, a natural fresh water lake, used locally for fishing, swimming, scuba diving or just relaxing and soaking up the sun. Eating out at the Lago Verde lakeside restaurant is recommended, the menu is excellent and prices are low.
					Albufeira da Bouça Pedrógão Grande Opening Times All year round
			Albufeira da Bouça is a 2nd lagoon down stream from the Barragem Cabril. The lagoon covers an area of 500 hectares and has an average depth of 20 metres. Albufeira da Bouça was constructed for the production of electricity but has attracted water sports such as fishing and canoeing.
					Açude de Mega Pedrógão Grande Opening Times All year round
			Açude de Mega is a small Praia Fluvial (inland river beach) located in the village Mega Fundeira. Although much smaller than most Praia Fluvials Açude de Mega is known for its crystal clear waters and secluded location.
					Mosteiro Praia Fluvia Pedrógão Grande Opening Times All year round
			Mosteiro Praia Fluvial, a natural fresh water river beach in the centre of town. Shaded free parking areas, lots of large open spaces for sunbathing, cafe bar/restuarant onsite for snacks and lunch menu.
			> top of page
					Louçainha Praia Fluvial Espinhal Opening Times April to September
			Louçainha Praia Fluvial, a natural fresh water river beach on the mountain road from Campelo to Lousa. Shaded free parking areas, lots of large open spaces for sunbathing, cafe bar/restuarant onsite for snacks and lunch menu.
			> top of page
					Arouce Castle Lousã Opening Times All year round
			Arouce Castle and the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Piedade. Lousã castle is situated high on the mountain road between Lousã and Castanheira de Pêra. The castle is only a few kilometers from the centre of Lousã town. Beneath the castle is a natural spring swimming area with picnic tables and plenty of shade under the pine and oak trees. There is also a restaurant 'Burgos'.
			> top of page
					Góis Town Góis
			Góis is a beautiful old town with cobble streets about 30 minutes drive east of Lousã. A river runs through the centre of the town perfect for a relaxing stroll. There are plenty of shops, bars and restuarants, well worth a visit.
			> top of page
					Coastal Resort Figueira da Foz
			Figuiera da Foz is our nearest large coastal resort and approximately 1 hours drive north west of Castanheira de Pera. There are lots of hotels, restuarants, shops and a casino. The late night cabaret show at the casino (11-12pm, Wed-Sun) is recommended. A great place for a night out.
			> top of page
					Sabugueira Seia Serra da Estrela
			Serra da Estrela (Star Mountains) are the highest in Portugal, with a summit of 1,993 meters (6,576 feet). From Lousã take the N17 heading towards Oliveira do Hospital & Guarda, then follow the signs to Seia, once you reach Seia there are sign posts through the town up to the peaks. Visit the village of Sabugueira, the highest village in portugal.
					Manteigas Serra da Estrela
			The village of Manteigas sits in a valley hidden in the Serra da Estrela mountain range, the 30km drive down will take approximately 1 hour from Sabugueira. The roads are good but very steep and winding.
					Ski Parque Outdoor Persuits Serra da Estrela
			Take the N232 from Manteigas, around 8km there is a sinthetic ski run and outdoor persuits park. The park has facilities for touring caravans, and tents, there is a shop and cafe bar on site. Here you will find many outdoor sports including, archery, horse riding, canoeing, rock climbing, para gliding, hiking, fishing etc....
			> top of page
					Praia da Pedrógão Leiria
			Praia da Pedrógão is a small coastal town west of Pombal with beautiful white sandy beaches and a small promanade with cafe bars. Approximatey 1 hours drive west of Castanheira de Pera.
			> top of page
					Coastal Resort Nazaré
			Nazaré is a lovely seaside town approximately 90 minutes drive south west of Castanheira de Pera and possibly the most famous fishhing town in Portugal. It has lots of little side streets with shops and restaurants, a beautiful golden sandy beach where you can watch the locals drying their catch of the day. There is a fishing port at one end and monorail to the top of the cliffs at the other.
			> top of page
					Peniche Harbour Peniche
			Peniche is a busy fishing town with a large harbour and some excellent seafood restaurants. Just across the square from the harbour is a 16th century fortress, once used as a prison, but now home to a museum of local history. The museum tour takes approximately 1 hour, spanning 3 floors of the fortress, it's very interesting and worth a visit.
			> top of page
					Templo de Diana Temple of Diana Évora Alentejo Alto
			Believed to have been built in 100-200 AD this Roman temple is the centre piece of Évora and commonly called Diana Temple for the Roman goddess. Over the centuries it has been used as an armoury, a theatre and a slaughter house.
					Capela dos Ossos Chapel of Bones Évora Alentejo Alto
			Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones) was built in the 16th century by monks who artfully lined the walls and pillars with skulls and other skeletal bones. Although this sounds ghoulish, it is peaceful and warm inside the chapel. Legend has it that the bones (approx 5,000) came from soldiers that died in battle, however it's more likely that they were taken from local cemeteries.
					Almendres Cromlech Guardalupe Évora Alentejo Alto
			Almendres Cromlech megalithic complex located just outside the village of Guardalupe, Évora. Constructed 4000 - 5000 BC, there were more than 100 stones but some have now been removed. It is believed that the monument had religious purposes and functioned as a primitive astronomical observatory.
					Almendres Menhir Guardalupe Évora Alentejo Alto
			Almendres Menhir, a single standing stone dated 4000 - 5000 BC, located 1 kilomoter from the megalithic complex Almendres Cromlech just outside the village of Guardalupe, Évora. Not as impresive as the megalithic complex but the short walk through fields of wild flowers and the views make it worth while.
			> top of page
					República Square Elvas
			Elvas is one of europes most heavily fortified towns, sitting just 12km from the border of Spain. República Square has a Spanish feel to it, surrounded by white and yellow painted buildings. The perfect place to rest and have a coffee before exploring the walled city.
					Largo Santa Clara Elvas
			Largo Santa Clara is a triangle courtyard just off of República Square. In the centre sits a 16th century marble pillory with four hooks once used to shackle prisoners. The 10th century archway leads to the ruined castle.
			> top of page
					Rio Mondego Coimbra
			Coimbra (pronounced queem-bra) is home to one of the oldest universities in the world, founded in 1290 by King Dinis. Coimbra is Portugals third largest city and sits on the edge of the River Mondego. In the old town narrow cobbled streets lead to hidden squares of cafe bars, shops and ancient churches.
			> top of page
					Conimbriga Roman Ruins Condeixa Coimbra Opening Times Every Day Winter 10am-6pm Summer 9am-8pm
			Conimbriga is home to the largest roman ruins in Portugal and a national monument. Located 15km south west of Coimbra, the tour takes approximately 3 hours.
			> top of page
					Batalha Monastery Batalha Leiria Opening Times Every Day Winter 9am-5pm Summer 9am-6pm
			The Batalha Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória dates back to 1386 and the Portuguese architect Afonso Domnigues. Construction of the Batalha Monastery spanned 130 years from 1386 until circa 1517 and became the traditional burial place of kings that lasted until the reign of João II.
			> top of page
					Buçaco Palace Hotel Buçaco National Park Buçaco
			Buçaco Palace Hotel is located in the Buçaco National Park, 105 hectares of centuries old walled forest, planted by the order of the Barefoot Carmelites in the 17th century. This famous botanical treasure includes specimens of rare and exotic plants collected from all over the world.
			> top of page
					Dornes Dornes Peninsular Templar Tower
			Dornes is a small village that sits on a peninsular on the shores of the Castelo de Bode. The tiny village is home to a pentagonal Templar tower built by Gualdim Pais for defence and guaranteed safety for the people who explored the Zêzere for gold. The tower is built out of local 'schist' and limestone The village is a maze of narrow cobbled stone streets, there are a couple of cafe bars, a small hotel and a handful of shops. A beautiful little village and the views are stunning
			> top of page

	Enter your search terms Submit search form
	Web www.peaceful-portugal.com