The Beiras stretch from the Portuguese coast right up to the Spanish border on the east, and take in three provinces with stunning interior landscapes. Beira Alta, to the north, is a succession of small hills surrounding the Serra da Estrela – at some 2000 metres the highest mountain range in mainland Portugal. The Beira Litoral, as the name implies, goes up to the coast and takes in some beautiful countryside and the well-known white sandy beach of Figueira da Foz, the ancient university town of Coimbra as well as a number of interesting thermal resorts. The Beira Baixa, to the south, is probably the least well known of the Beiras, yet possesses some wonderful historic sites such as Monsanto, considered to be the “oldest and most typical Portuguese village” and the attractive town of Castelo Branco (White Castle).
The Central Coast of Portugal and the mountain ranges to the East are not as developed for tourism as the rest of Portugal, but they are definitely worth a visit. In our selection you will find luxury boutique hotels near the ocean, small bed & breakfast in historic towns and secluded quintas and guesthouses in the mountains.
The gastronomy of the Beiras is traditionally rich; meat dishes seasoned with wine and garlic are typical of the region’s cuisine. Other representative dishes include leitão à Bairrada (sucking-pig - particularly good in Mealhada) roast buck and all sorts of game cooked in traditional pots. The cheese is absolutely delicious and includes the queijo da serra (mountain cheese) from the Estrela Mountain - made from goats milk and widely considered to be the best cheese in the whole of Portugal. The wines are delightful too. The Dão, for example, is one of the finest and most historic wine producing regions in the country and particularly famous for its robust reds.
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