2. North Central Portugal
Backed by Portugal’s highest mountain range, the Serra da Estrela, and crossed by the Dão river, centre of a famous wine producing region, the North Central region includes the historic city of Coimbra on the Mondego river, home of the oldest and most prestigious university in Portugal.
The mountains, which include the Serra do Caramulo and Serra do Buçaco, offer splendid views to the coast or across to neighbouring Spain. Villages built in granite or schist blend into the landscape and an imposing network of castles bears witness to a defensive past.
The long sandy coastline offers many excellent beaches and quaint fishing villages. Aveiro, sometimes referred to as the Venice of the North because of its many canals, was an important centre for Portugal’s long-distance fishing fleet and for the drying of the “bacalhau” (salt cod), so essential in Portuguese cuisine.
Viseu, in the centre of the Dão region, and Castelo Branco, famous for its embroideries and Bishop’s palace and gardens, are well worth a visit.