Destination Golf Portugal 2021
FIND YOUR CENTER OF PORTUGAL
Whatever your reason to travel , there is something for everyone in the Center of Portugal region . Whether it ’ s walking along the ocean , dining at a city café or touring one of many nature preserves , the region has a variety of cultural and outdoor activities . Known as ‘ the heart of Portugal ’, Center of Portugal , is known for its beaches , Roman ruins , walled towns , castles and fortresses , and scenic mountains . The highest point of Portugal ’ s mainland , makes the Center of Portugal a unique destination for holidays , The Serra da Estrela Natural Park , Portugal ’ s largest protected area , is a haven for hikers . The city of Coimbra is home to Portugal ’ s oldest university and Aveiro is famous for an immense lagoon and canals that serve as streets . The inland cities are dominated by traditional stone architecture and Center of Portugal plains , form a kind of transitional zone between north and south of Portugal . Here lies the historical village of Monsanto , whose high perch enabled it to stand against a Roman invasion in the second century .
ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS
View the baroque library at Coimbra University . Join a fantastic tour across the UNESCO World Heritage sites . Fátima is one of the most spectacular Catholic sanctuaries in the world . Discover the history of this charming place of confinement and inner peace . Discover the Schist Villages in Lousã Mountain . Historical Villages can be very small dots in the world map , but they are hidden gems . Be amazed with the Glacial Valleys of Zêzere , Alforda , Loriga , Covão Grande and Covão do Urso , all of them in Estrela Mountain . UNESCO World Heritage , the Foz Côa Valley is considered “ the most important open air Palaeolithic rock art site ”. Amazing ! Follow five wine routes : Dão , Bairrada , Beira Interior , Tejo and Lisbon . Ride on a bicycle through Aveiro Lagoon . Discover Óbidos , a romantic village that is a book lover ´ s dream .
THE BASICS
Along this region ’ s border with Spain , are a myriad of fortresses and castles that once protected the country from its many invaders . Twelve towns rich in history dot the countryside . The main cities have excellent museums that detail this region ’ s role in Portugal ’ s long history . The Serra da Estrela Natural Park is the largest protected area in Portugal and an excellent place for family hiking , bird watching , and outdoor sports . Hiking is also popular in Lousã Mountain which has outstanding scenic views . Buçaco Forest , nearby Coimbra , is home of an isolated monastic retreat , that now features a vast botanical garden .
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WHAT TO SEE
For the adventurous , try paragliding in Linhares – Estrela Mountain or for a more relaxed vacation , swim in the natural pools of the Lousã and Estrela Mountains . If you head to Atlantic Coast , enjoy the pristine beaches with their white sand and high waves . If a peaceful walk is what you ’ re looking for , you have many options to choose from : Schist Villages , Historical Villages or Mountain Villages . The region has many stories of Portugal before it became a nation , as well as a number of ancient buildings that serve as reminders of this time . Fortresses and castles define Europe ’ s longest standing border in villages such as Almeida , Castelo Rodrigo , Castelo Mendo or Sortelha . Part of a chain of twelve Historical Villages , known for their rich heritage and surviving traditional culture . In the Schist Villages you will find 27 unique villages spread out in the mountains , hidden from the daily routine . Here clocks tick slower and time has a different meaning . If your choice is the Mountain Villages , all of them seem too tiny in the infinity of a globalised world , you will find villages full of genuine people . The natural setting is absolutely beautiful , Estrela Mountain is a place of silence . Coimbra is home to Portugal ’ s oldest university , known for its fabulous baroque library , and nearby is Conímbriga with its extensive remains of a Roman villa . In Aveiro , visitors will find a wide array of art , both in public spaces and