Beiras
Beiras is the traditional name for a strip of land flanked by Portugal's two main rivers - the Douro and the Tagus - and marked by intense contrasts.
The coastline is a series of long sandy beaches, dunes, lagoons, pinewoods and cities whose everyday life is marked by the sea. Inland are to be found austere mountains whose schist and granite outcrops give the land its very soul.
You cannot fail to appreciate the region's woods, lakes and deep ravines, and its mountains that seem to vanish into the distance, with the Serra da Estrela, the highest mountain range in mainland Portugal, rising up proudly amidst them all. Under the ground lies an immense reservoir of mineral waters that spring forth at the region's many spas, where you will want to relax under the shade of cedars and laurel-trees.
You should plan your trip to include a visit to the Beira province's historical villages, each of them guarded by castles built at the orders of the first kings of Portugal to defend the kingdom, and standing on the remains of even earlier presences - Romans, Visigoths, Moors and Christians. Make sure to visit these villages and discover the longstanding traditions and culture of the local people.
Your trip should also include the noble and austere cities of Viseu, Guarda or Castelo Branco. Look closely at these cities as you enter them and see how, in each of them, imposing granite cathedrals stand proudly above their houses, as a testimony to their long and interesting history.
As you move towards the coast, the mountains gradually give way to long sandy beaches bathed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, where the climate is much milder. Wending its way down from the Serra da Estrela to Coimbra is the beautiful River Mondego, which encircles this ancient university city, continually enlivened by the songs and traditions of its many students. Stop and listen to the sound of the Coimbra guitar and surrender to its charms.
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