Penedos de Góis
Prominent quartzite rocks in the Serra da Lousã above Góis. Hiking paths lead to viewpoints and small streams; in the valley are river bathing spots on the Ceira.
Portugal
Centro
Region
The Centro region stretches from the Aveiro Lagoon on the coast to the mountains at the Spanish border.
by Felix Gillen
The Centro region stretches from the Aveiro Lagoon on the coast to the mountains at the Spanish border. Its focal point is the university city of Coimbra, complemented by Aveiro with its canals, the Roman ruins of Conímbriga, the Buçaco Forest, and the schist villages of the Serra da Lousã.
Coimbra is located on the Lisbon–Porto railway line and is the most practical base; from there, you can reach Aveiro in under an hour. In the hinterland, it becomes quiet and mountainous: The Aldeias do Xisto, villages of dark shale, lie hidden in the Serra da Lousã, plus there are river beaches, the Praias Fluviais, where you can swim in summer. For the interior, you'll need a car. The coast to the south with Óbidos, Nazaré and Batalha, as well as the Serra da Estrela, have their own region pages for those with wanderlust.
Sights in Centro
Discover the most important sights and attractions
Pena (Aldeias do Xisto)
Small slate village within the network of the Aldeias do Xisto in the Serra da Lousã, below the Penedos de Góis. A few dark slate houses, surrounded by forest and hiking trails.
Aigra Velha (Aldeias do Xisto)
Remote slate village in the Serra da Lousã with stone houses and old stables. Marked hiking trails connect it to neighboring villages.
Museum
Conímbriga
Excavations of a Roman city southwest of Coimbra, with a city wall, thermal baths, and extensive floor mosaics, for example, in the House of Water Features. The museum at the entrance displays finds from the settlement.
National Park
Buçaco National Forest
Walled forest from the time of a Carmelite monastery with ancient trees, chapels, streams, and stairs. In the middle of the forest stands the Neo-Manueline Palácio do Buçaco, now a hotel. Good for half a day, about half an hour north of Coimbra by car.
Dining & Drinks
Restaurant in Av. Eng. Augusto Nogueira Pereira 16.
Culture and History
Conímbriga, south of Coimbra, was one of the largest Roman settlements in present-day Portugal, its mosaics among the best-preserved on the Iberian Peninsula. In the 12th century, Coimbra became the residence of the first Portuguese king and remained capital until 1255.The university shapes the region to this day, as does the Fado de Coimbra. In the Bairrada region, between Coimbra and Aveiro, the suckling pig Leitão à Bairrada is at home, accompanied by local wine or sparkling wine.
On the Go in the Region
Coimbra and Aveiro are on the main railway line between Lisbon and Porto and are easily reachable by train. Buses to Conímbriga depart from Coimbra. Buçaco, the Slate Villages, and the inland river beaches are realistically only accessible by car.
