Coimbra is the third most important urban center of Portugal after the much larger Lisbon Metropolitan Area and Porto Metropolitan  Area conurbations, and plays a role as the chief city of the central part of the country. The city, which was the capital of Portugal from 1139 to about 1260, has a large archeological site with extensive ruins dating from the time it was a Roman town called Aeminium. Coimbra developed into an important cultural centre, mainly because of the University of Coimbra founded in 1290. The university is one of the oldest in Europe and due to its monumental buildings attracts tourists from around the world.

A modern growing town with ancient origins with a lovely castle on the hilltop guarding it. An attractive centre with a wide range of sports facilities, hypermarkets and shops. Cultural activities and wonderful monuments are within easy reach, including the monasteries at Alcobaça (a World Heritage site) and Batalha. Leiria is particularly well known for some very good restaurants. Close to Leiria there is São Pedro de Moel, an attractive small town with a lovely beach.

A market town with a Templar castle overlooking it.  Pombal is surrounded by  unspoilt scenery and has long sandy beaches and rocky mountains within a short driving distance, for example Pedrogão and Osso da Baleia. It has a railway station with direct lines to Lisbon and Porto, large supermarkets, a motorway junction, shopping centres and a hospital. There are many good restaurants, along with many bars and cafés.

It was founded as head-quarters of the Knights Templar in Portugal in the 12th century and contains some of the most significant Templar monuments in Europe. Tomar was especially important in the 15th century when it was a centre of Portuguese overseas expansion under Henry the Navigator, the Grand Master of the Order of Christ, successor organization to the Templars in Portugal.

A city of the district of Coimbra; it is located at the mouth of the Mondego river, 40 km west of Coimbra, and sheltered by the Serra (mountain) da Boa Viagem. It is a coastal city with several beaches, summer and seaport facilities in the Atlantic Ocean coast. As a city of tourism it plays an important part in the centre of the country. A zone of legal gambling, you find here one of the biggest casinos of the Iberian Peninsula – the Casino Peninsular.

Located 40 minutes from Coimbra, this market town is famous for its' 'Liquor Beirão', a locally produced spirit.
Gateway to the Serra da Lousa hills and beyond.

Fifteen km southwest of Coimbra is the archaeological site and Museum of the Roman city of Conimbriga. This fascinating attraction is cramped packed with artifacts from 1 B.C. onwards and the city itself has the most amazing mosaics. We also recommend a lunchtime visit to the restaurant where you can enjoy views of the ruins while enjoying a traditional Roman dish and a good bottle of wine for around 10 euros per head. Ruins and Museum open all year, museum closed Mondays.