Circuits · Centre

Classic Central Portugal

Walled Óbidos, giant waves at Nazaré, three World Heritage monasteries and student Coimbra.

5 days15 stopsÓbidos 1n · Nazaré 1n · Tomar 1n · Coimbra 2nCar recommended
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The medieval castle and walls of Óbidos

Photo: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

DAY 1

Óbidos · Caldas da Rainha

Night: Óbidos
1

Óbidos village

A medieval village inside its walls. Walk the ramparts and try ginjinha (sour cherry liqueur) in a chocolate cup.

2hFreeAll year
↓ ≈ 15 min by road · 13 km
2

Óbidos Lagoon and Foz do Arelhooptional

Where the lagoon meets the sea: a calm beach on one side, waves on the other.

1hFreeSummer
DAY 2

Nazaré · Alcobaça

Night: Nazaré
3

Sítio da Nazaré

A viewpoint over the beach and the town, reached by funicular.

1hFree (funicular paid)All year
↓ a few minutes on foot
4

Fort of São Miguel Arcanjo

The lighthouse from which you can watch the world's biggest waves at Praia do Norte.

45 minPaidOctober to March (giant waves)
↓ ≈ 15 min by road · 15 km
5

Alcobaça Monastery

Cistercian monastery and World Heritage Site, with the tombs of King Pedro and Inês.

1h30PaidAll year
DAY 3

Batalha · Fátima · Porto de Mós

Night: Tomar
6

Batalha Monastery

A Gothic masterpiece and World Heritage Site. Don't miss the Unfinished Chapels.

1h30PaidAll year
↓ ≈ 20 min by road · 18 km
7

Sanctuary of Fátima

One of the largest Marian sanctuaries in the world.

1h30FreeAll year (very crowded on 13 May and 13 October)
↓ ≈ 15 min by road · 14 km
8

Mira de Aire Cavesoptional

The largest show caves in Portugal.

1hPaidAll year
DAY 4

Tomar · Vila Nova da Barquinha

Night: Coimbra
9

Convent of Christ

Former headquarters of the Knights Templar and a World Heritage Site. See the Charola (round church) and the Manueline window.

2hPaidAll year
↓ a few minutes on foot
10

Tomar centre

Praça da República, a 15th-century synagogue and the banks of the Nabão.

45 minFreeAll year
↓ ≈ 25 min by road · 22 km
11

Almourol Castleoptional

A Templar castle on an island in the Tagus, reached by boat.

1hBoat paidSpring to autumn
DAY 5

Coimbra · Condeixa-a-Nova · Aveiro

Night: Coimbra
12

University of Coimbra

One of the oldest universities in Europe, home to the Joanina Library. A World Heritage Site.

2hPaidAll year
↓ a few minutes on foot
13

Old Cathedral (Sé Velha) and Baixa of Coimbra

Steep streets lead from the Alta (upper town) down to the Baixa. At night, Coimbra fado.

1h30FreeAll year
↓ ≈ 20 min by road · 18 km
14

Conímbriga Roman ruinsoptional

The best-preserved Roman city in Portugal, with mosaics.

1h30PaidSpring to autumn
↓ ≈ 1 h 30 by road · 83 km
15

Aveiro and Costa Novaoptional

Canals and moliceiro boats, ovos moles (sweet egg-yolk treats) and the striped houses of Costa Nova.

2hFree (moliceiro boat paid)All year