Located in the center of Portugal, the Região Centro is the heart of the country and offers interesting destinations for every vacationer. It includes eight sub-regions and It includes eight sub-regions and forms the transition from the green north to the cultural center in Lisbon.
The Portuguese Região Centro is an exceptional region of natural beauty, historical heritage and cultural highlights. It offers the vacationer diversity and variety.
The lively city of Coimbra, known for its historic university and wonderful library, offers a glimpse not only of the vibrant student culture, but also of Portugal’s rich history. The region is also famous for its beautiful sandy beaches, located on the Silver Coast. Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to relax or an exciting water sports adventure, the beaches of the Região Centro have it all. Another highlight is the Serra da Estrela, the highest mountain range in Portugal. It offers impressive landscapes and a variety of activities such as hiking and biking.
The gastronomic scene of the Região Centro is a feast for the senses. Try local specialties such as the “Leitão da Bairrada” (suckling pig), the “Queijo da Serra” (cheese from the Serra) and the sweet “Pastéis de Tentúgal”.
Discover the Região Centro
"Venice of Portugal" - it just sounds like a place you shouldn't miss. We took the train to Aveiro for a day trip in beautiful sunshine.
Welcome to Coimbra, the capital of Portugal … not the current capital, but the capital of the years 1139 to 1256. 48 hours in Coimbra were barely enough for us to discover the lively student city properly.
Travel information
Arrival
By plane
The nearest international airport is in Lisbon. From there you can either rent a car or take the train to get to the Região Centro. Alternatively, there are flights to Porto, from where you can easily reach the Região Centro by train or car.
On the way in…
By train
The Portuguese railroad company “Comboios de Portugal” offers regular train connections between the largest cities of the Região Centro and the surrounding regions. Coimbra, one of the largest cities in the region, is an important hub in the train network. Trains run regularly between Coimbra and other major cities such as Porto and Lisbon.
By Bus
Several bus companies such as “Rede Expressos” and “Rodonorte” offer services in the region. You can take buses to get to beaches, historical sites, mountains and other tourist destinations in the region.
On foot
GR22 – Rota das Aldeias Históricas (Route of Historical Villages):
This 565-kilometer circular trail takes you through 12 historic villages in the mountains of Serra da Estrela and Serra da Malcata. Along this route you can explore some of the oldest villages in Portugal, built because of their strategic location on the borders of the country. You can discover the region’s rich cultural and historical heritage, picturesque landscapes and traditional Portuguese architecture.
Caminho Português da Costa (Portuguese Coastal Path):
While not exclusively located in the Região Centro, this trail runs along the coast of Portugal and passes through parts of the region. One of the routes of the famous Way of St. James, this trail begins in Porto, runs along the beautiful coastal landscapes of northern Portugal, and ends in Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
Best time to travel
Die Região Centro kann das ganze Jahr über besucht werden. Die Sommermonate (Juni bis August) sind ideal für Strand- und Wassersportliebhaber, während der Frühling (April bis Juni) und der Herbst (September bis November) mit milderem Wetter ideal für Outdoor-Aktivitäten wie Wandern und Radfahren sind. Der Winter in der Serra da Estrela bietet Skifahrern und Snowboardern Schnee und Spaß.