Top Beiras Culture - page 3

In this tour, we'll discover the Holy City of Fátima and the historical towns of Óbidos, Alcobaça and Batalha, home of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Batalha and Alcobaça Monasteries, and Nazaré. We'll start with Fátima, and visit the Sanctuary and the Chapel of Apparitions. We will then meet the Batalha Monastery in all of its glory. After Batalha, we'll go to Alcobaça, and you'll be in awe with the pure beauty of the city centered Monastery, which in itself houses a beautiful royal love story. With a brief visit, you'll leave Alcobaça with a wide smile (even wider if you taste the pastries!). This tour wouldn't be complete without gazing at the Sea. We'll go to Nazaré, the famous fishing village that sometimes has 30-meter waves (you might even be lucky enough to see one!). Enjoy the atmosphere present in this wonder of a village! To top it all off, we'll visit Óbidos and appreciate the historical walls which present breathtaking views! We're sure you'll love it!

A great choice for history buffs, this tour takes you to several important religious sites. Visit the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Chapel of the Apparitions, Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, and the Monastery of the Battle. You’ll also visit the Lighthouse of Nazare and spend some time in the picturesque town of Obidos.

Schist villages have already been called “magic villages”, their names sound like Romans, Arabs and even barbarians, but it is their characteristic appearance that makes them so fantastic. These structures dating back to medieval times exude an architectural beauty that is still difficult to match today, even more fascinating are the places where they are located due to the need to settle for pastoral and agricultural activities. During this adventure we will take you to know some of the most beautiful schist villages of Serra da Lousã as well as the breathtaking landscapes that this unique place has to offer… It includes a jeep ride through the Lousã mountain range and a visit to the beautiful Schist villages in the morning and a walk of about 6 km and an intermediate level of difficulty in the afternoon along some of the most beautiful trails in the mountain.

Our product is unique, as it offers the possibility to visit the University, but also to stroll through the historic center of the city, entering the Sé Velha and Santa Cruz churches. Throughout the walk you can breathe a medieval aura, strolling through the gutters of an old city linked to the founding of Portugal. This visit is private, where you can enjoy a unique tour with just your group, people can interact with the guide, asking questions and exchanging ideas about the local culture and history.

Venture away from the city of Coimbra and spend a day immersed in nature during this private excursion. Head to the mountains for a look at the small shale villages that dot the landscape including Piodao, relax on the riverside beach in Coja, and see a few waterfalls. Throughout the tour, your guide regales you with information about the local area and makes time for you to explore.

On this tour, we leave Lisbon in a comfortable luxury car and, in approximately 1h20, we arrive in Fátima. At the sanctuary, our driver-guide will share details about the history of the apparitions and the events linked to the site. This will allow our clients time to attend Mass and experience their faith. After lunch, we will visit the simple and charming houses of Jacinta, Francisco and Lúcia. We returned to Lisbon after an unforgettable day in Fátima.

Coimbra is known as the city of students because it has the oldest Portuguese university, founded in the 13th century, built next to the old royal palace and attached to the old Roman forum, as if emulating the ancient acropolis of classical knowledge in Athens. The academic traditions merge perfectly with the legends and traditions of Portugal’s almost millennia-old history, where the stories of bloody battles and tragic loves seem serene when you gaze at the peaceful Mondego River, which runs through the city and Portugal. Discover the main attractions of this amazing city, on this private tour by former students of the University of Coimbra.

Venture to one of Portugal’s most-visited Catholic shrines on this small-group, full-day tour. Following pickup from your Lisbon hotel, head to Fátima, where you can see the Sanctuary, attend a mass, and view the location of the 1917 apparitions. You’ll also see the house of one of the shepherd children said to have witnessed the apparition, and will finally explore the Castle of Óbidos (followed by a ginginha tasting).

The West region offers a delightful blend of fascinating museums, awe-inspiring monuments, traditional crafts, and unique aromas. The tour starts in Tomar, a city steeped in history that houses the magnificent Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to the 12th century. The next stop is Batalha, where you'll be amazed by the impressive Gothic architecture of the Batalha Monastery, also a UNESCO World Heritage site. The tour continues to Alcobaça, where you'll discover the stunning Alcobaça Monastery, another UNESCO World Heritage site known for its magnificent architecture and unique history. You'll then visit Nazaré, a picturesque fishing village, famous for its big wave surfing. Finally, the tour takes you to Óbidos, a charming medieval town surrounded by impressive walls and with a rich history dating back to Roman times. Here, you can stroll through the cobbled streets, admire the traditional white houses and sample the famous Ginjinha liqueur.

This is a special visit for those who only have a few hours to visit Coimbra, but would like to see at least the essentials of the University of Coimbra (Joanina Library, Royal Chapel of S. Miguel and the Royal Palace). If you are this type of traveler, then this tour is designed for you, here you can discover all the rich history and unique secrets of the University of Coimbra, in the hands of experienced guides (who are historians and former students of the University of Coimbra). When you book with us, we guarantee entry to the buildings (ticket included), so you don't need to worry about logistics or even waiting in line to buy a ticket, you just have to be at the meeting point at the scheduled time and enjoy the visit. This visit has a huge demand from our visitors, it is a different visit and not to be missed, so we advise you to book as soon as possible and we will be happy to welcome you soon to our city of Coimbra.

Guided route in an off-road vehicle with a driver through the places of greatest natural, human and cultural interest in Serra da Lousã. Includes visit to four Schist Villages of Serra da Lousã, Trevim (highest point of Serra da Lousã), Santo António da Neve and Neveiros Reais (former Royal Fábrica do Gelo from the 18th century) and the Alge river valley (where the sites of mountains with more deer and roe deer), passing through places of rare beauty, such as centuries-old chestnut trees, deciduous and coniferous forests and breathtaking viewpoints. Depending on the route (half day or full day) the organization will define the Schist Villages to visit in each program, but as a rule are the following: Gondramaz (Miranda do Corvo), Aigra Nova (headquarters of the Schist Traditions Eco-Museum) and Aigra Velha (Góis) and Candal, Cerdeira or Talasnal (Lousã). The program may include lunch.

Fátima is widely considered among Portugal’s most important Catholic pilgrimage sites, but visiting independently means missing its spiritual significance. On this tour, begin with a pickup at your Coimbra hotel and explore three of the chapels and basilica around Fátima. Visit Valinhos and the homes of the three shepherds before whom the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared, and learn of the sites’ importance to Catholics across the world.

Guided tour in a vehicle with driver/guide through places of greatest natural interest, human and cultural aspects of Serra da Lousã. Includes visit to Lousã Castle, three Schist Villages of Serra da Lousã (Talasnal, Candal and Cerdeira), Trevim (highest point of Serra da Lousã), Santo António da Neve and Neveiros Reais (formerly Real 19th century Ice Factory. XVIII), passing through places of rare beauty, such as centuries-old chestnut trees, deciduous forests and conifers and breathtaking viewpoints.

Tomar and its unique Convent of Christ (a UNESCO World Heritage site) have a special place in world history and lots of stories, art, and architecture you don’t want to miss. This charming medieval town in central Portugal unexpectedly became the unofficial new headquarters of the legendary and powerful Knights Templars, shortly after they were disbanded on the orders of the Vatican, in the 14th century. They were rebranded the “Order of Christ” and, eventually, one of its Grand Masters became pivotal to the Age of Discoveries: Henry the Navigator. Later on, in 1581, the Convent of Christ was the stage for the creation of the Iberian Union sealing the creation of the biggest empire in the World at the time. We will take you through the Convent of Christ and the Castle, the city's most beautiful churches, visit the Jewish synagogue, and give you a flavor of the charming modern-day Tomar. Option: a visit to the beautiful, photo-friendly Castle of Almourol, located on a tiny islet.

Discover the old capital of Portugal, Coimbra, on a private walking tour around the city. Learn about the rich history of this ancient city as you visit key landmarks such as the University of Coimbra, the Joanina Library, the Monastery of Santa Cruz located in the Moorish part of the city, and the Old Cathedral.

Tailored tour, tell me what you want to know and I will guide you up, letting you enjoy the place and people with time

Our adventures are not just made of Nature and proof of this is our visit to the historic village of Monsanto In 1938, this was considered the most Portuguese village in Portugal and was awarded the silver rooster that it still proudly displays today on its Lucano tower. In this village everything seems magical, its location on the slope of a granite outcrop meant that the village's inhabitants built houses using the huge boulders as part of the housing structure, often defying the laws of physics. At the top we find the Monsanto castle which still shows its grandeur and the ingenuity of the Portuguese people who built it, also becoming known in recent years for being one of the settings for the famous series "Game of Thrones" All of this will always be accompanied by breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable displays of nature.

Take a break from city life and spend a day immersed in nature on this hiking tour from Coimbra. Join a private guide and head to the ancient ruins of Conimbriga to learn about its Roman history. Then, spend a good chunk of time hiking through the Mouros River Valley where you visit a waterfall and pass a small mountain village at the base of Sico mountain.

Tomar’s history extends far beyond its famous Templar connections. On this self-guided audio tour, you’ll discover how this medieval fortress town became a center of exploration, Jewish scholarship, and cultural traditions. Starting in front of the Church Santa Maria do Olival, where Templar masters lie buried, you’ll follow the peaceful Nabão River through neighborhoods where centuries of Portuguese life have unfolded. You’ll hear about the Age of Discovery and several colourful Portuguese festivals as you stroll past traditional pastry shops serving sweets found nowhere else. You’ll weave through the historic Jewish Quarter with its remarkably preserved medieval synagogue, and beside waterways that once powered mills for the powerful religious orders. Along the way, you’ll find out how Jewish, Christian, and Moorish influences shaped the town’s identity. The tour ends in the historical Largo do Pelourinho, a square that once served as the town’s center of justice.

Delve back in history on this small-group cycle tour to the ancient Dolmens in Azenha. Your personal guide tells you stories of spirits, local heroes, battles, and other neolithic sites-much more than you would learn on a self-guided tour. Ride mountain bikes through gorgeous natural trails, then spend time at Cara Creek Eco Lodge to use the natural pools, sauna, and sit by the riverside beach.

Discover the oldest university in Portugal, founded in the 13th century, and one of the oldest in Europe. Even today, it is one of the most prestigious and recognised universities in the world. Join a small group walking tour led by former students to discover the university's history, heritage and academic traditions. The university has been recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 2013. Enjoy a comprehensive tour and have the opportunity to visit some of the University of Coimbra's most notable highlights. Please note that visits to the Joanina Library are subject to availability during the tour. The guide will purchase tickets for the University of Coimbra at the beginning of the tour. If there are no time slots available for visiting the Joanina Library, we will visit other attractions at the university instead. Refunds will not be given if the Joanina Library is not available during the tour.

Portugal's first capital has a habit of giving old buildings new jobs. A royal throne room is now where doctoral students defend their theses. A parish church is now a café. A Moorish gate still guards the hill. This self-guided audio walking tour, on the Tourific app, stitches it all together. Follow a route from the Monastery of Santa Cruz, where Portugal's first two kings lie buried, up cobblestone backstreets to Europe's oldest surviving university, where bats work the night shift in the Joanina Library. Hear how a student serenade became the secret signal that toppled a dictatorship, and trace the doomed love of Pedro and Inês. Walk at your own pace, pause when you want, restart when you're ready. No fixed meeting time, no group to keep up with, full offline access. Over 20,000 travelers have used our self-guided walking tours, and this Coimbra audio tour comes with a full refund guarantee. If you'd rather wander and listen than follow a raised umbrella, this one's for you.

The Roman Empire had an enormous weight in our culture and evidence of this can be found everywhere in the Sicó area. In this adventure, we will discover the complex of the Roman Ruins of Conímbriga where you will be able to contemplate the architectural capacity of the Roman people and the way they lived. From here we will head towards another “ex-libris” of this region, the Buracas do Casmilo, majestic geological formations that were once complexes of underground caves that are now exposed to the surface. We take a leap back in time and arrive in Penela to visit the imposing Castle that occupies a large part of the town and which since the beginning of Portugal has been an important part of Mondego's defensive line. Finally, we will see remnants of a structure that was used to defend against attacks such as the Castle of Germanelo, here more than the castle is the view that plays the main role. All this and much more is what we will take you to discover in this Adventure…

Schist villages have already been dubbed “magic villages”, their names sound like Romans, Arabs and even barbarians, but it is their characteristic appearance that makes them so fantastic. These structures, which date back to medieval times, emanate an architectural beauty that is still difficult to match today, even more fascinating are the places where they are found due to the need to settle for pastoral and agricultural activities. During this adventure, we will take you to discover some of the most beautiful Schist villages in Serra da Lousã, as well as the breathtaking landscapes that this unique place has to offer… In the afternoon we will visit Penacova, the village “where Nature lives”, where “you can breathe good air”, a place that awaits you and where the Mondego river will guide you! Follow and listen to the melody of the waters of the River Mondego and the River Alva, feel the “good air” of Penacova contouring your face and discover windmills and watermills while the green mountains will accompany you.