Welcome!
Mountains
Look out from the house and you can see a vast blue mountain on the horizon. This is Portugal’s oldest and largest protected area, the Serra da Estrela.
It's fantastic to drive (or to bike or even hike!) through the mountain villages to the top, the highest point of Mainland Portugal, and see stunning natural views for miles around.
The 'Torre' is the high point. Here you can park and walk around admiring the panoramic vistas. It's also where lots of people like to take selfies!
The little shops around sell local produce, ranging from mountain cheeses and liquors to sheep skin slippers.
44 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Natural de la Sierra de la Estrella
Look out from the house and you can see a vast blue mountain on the horizon. This is Portugal’s oldest and largest protected area, the Serra da Estrela.
It's fantastic to drive (or to bike or even hike!) through the mountain villages to the top, the highest point of Mainland Portugal, and see stunning natural views for miles around.
The 'Torre' is the high point. Here you can park and walk around admiring the panoramic vistas. It's also where lots of people like to take selfies!
The little shops around sell local produce, ranging from mountain cheeses and liquors to sheep skin slippers.
Historic Villages
Piódão is one of the famous Historical Villages of Central Portugal, of which there are twelve. It's the closest one to us and we highly recommend a visit.
The village is made almost entirely of local schist stone, except for the two churches that are bright white and blue.
Be sure to visit Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Conceicao and perhaps stop for a coffee in the square before meandering down the the wonderfully clear river beach to cool off.
Some people like to visit all twelve villages that provide a trip through history, preserving memories of ancient conquests, traditions and heritage. They are located in some of the country’s most beautiful natural parks that are classified as World Heritage sites by UNESCO. You can hike or bike sections of the along there is a famous Historic Village Route known as GR22.
42 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Piódão
Piódão is one of the famous Historical Villages of Central Portugal, of which there are twelve. It's the closest one to us and we highly recommend a visit.
The village is made almost entirely of local schist stone, except for the two churches that are bright white and blue.
Be sure to visit Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Conceicao and perhaps stop for a coffee in the square before meandering down the the wonderfully clear river beach to cool off.
Some people like to visit all twelve villages that provide a trip through history, preserving memories of ancient conquests, traditions and heritage. They are located in some of the country’s most beautiful natural parks that are classified as World Heritage sites by UNESCO. You can hike or bike sections of the along there is a famous Historic Village Route known as GR22.
You can see the charming village of Aldeia das Dez just across the valley. It's famous for its great vistas of the surrounding mountains of Serra do Açor and for it's architectural heritage. Be sure to visit the 'Mother Church' with it's beautiful gilded woodcarvings.
Legend has it that it's named 'Aldeia das Dez' (Village of Ten) because ten women found treasure there in a cave of Mount Colcurinho.
Aldeia das Dez (Aldeias do Xisto)
You can see the charming village of Aldeia das Dez just across the valley. It's famous for its great vistas of the surrounding mountains of Serra do Açor and for it's architectural heritage. Be sure to visit the 'Mother Church' with it's beautiful gilded woodcarvings.
Legend has it that it's named 'Aldeia das Dez' (Village of Ten) because ten women found treasure there in a cave of Mount Colcurinho.
Fascinating old Roman amphitheatre and original roman pillars and arches. The little museum there is also worth a visiting.
Bobadela Roman Ruins Interpretation Center
Fascinating old Roman amphitheatre and original roman pillars and arches. The little museum there is also worth a visiting.
River Beaches
This is the nearest River Beach (Praia Fluvial) to the Quinta, on the bank of the River Alva. It's just a ten minute walk away and is a beautifully clean and refreshing place to swim in the valley. There are thatched umbrellas to relax under and a small bar/café that is open in season and there is even a charming traditional waterwheel.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Praia Fluvial De São Sebastião Da Feira
This is the nearest River Beach (Praia Fluvial) to the Quinta, on the bank of the River Alva. It's just a ten minute walk away and is a beautifully clean and refreshing place to swim in the valley. There are thatched umbrellas to relax under and a small bar/café that is open in season and there is even a charming traditional waterwheel.
Right inside the Serra da Estrela Natural Park, in the Loriga glacial valley, the crystal clear waters of Loriga River Beach come from springs in the mountains.
30 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Playa del Río Loriga
N231Right inside the Serra da Estrela Natural Park, in the Loriga glacial valley, the crystal clear waters of Loriga River Beach come from springs in the mountains.
Restaurants & Cafes
Many locals enjoy for the 'Prato do dia', the lunch menu of the day. Most restaurants open for lunch at noon and close at 3pm. The servings are generous and some restaurants offer half portion sizes.
Dinner starts at 7pm and finishes at 10pm.
Here are some restaurants nearby that we like. Please do check the specific websites of restaurants for exact opening times as some close for Sunday dinner and some close for some of the winter months.
Celebrating an anniversary or special occasion? We'd recommend Quinta de Geia, just across the valley in Aldeia das Dez. It has spectacular views in a wonderful setting and is perfect for a special dinner!
Hotel Rural Quinta da Geia
Largo do Terreiro do Fundo do LugarCelebrating an anniversary or special occasion? We'd recommend Quinta de Geia, just across the valley in Aldeia das Dez. It has spectacular views in a wonderful setting and is perfect for a special dinner!
This is the closest restaurant in walking distance.
The owner, Christine, is featured in a local Portuguese Cookbook for her famous Octopus dish!
To get there walk or drive down the hill and the restaurant is just before you reach the village.
Olhar sobre o Alva - Turismo Rural e Sabores
This is the closest restaurant in walking distance.
The owner, Christine, is featured in a local Portuguese Cookbook for her famous Octopus dish!
To get there walk or drive down the hill and the restaurant is just before you reach the village.
AYUNI Restaurant
This new vegan restaurant right by the river at the bottom of our hill!
One of our favourites! We love having lunch here, sitting under the secluded shade of the huge tree canopy.
It's always busy and is popular with the locals.
Tasquinha dos Marques
One of our favourites! We love having lunch here, sitting under the secluded shade of the huge tree canopy.
It's always busy and is popular with the locals.
Restaurante 'O Toino Moleiro', Assados Na Brasa, Sociedade Unipessoal Lda.
2 R. Dr. Fortunato Vieira das NevesThe best steak around!
Indian menu with Vegan/Vegetarian options next to the N17. They also do Pizza!
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Italian Indian Palace
19B N17Indian menu with Vegan/Vegetarian options next to the N17. They also do Pizza!
L'Artista Pizzeria
Good Italian restaurant and Pizzeria.
Il Peccato — Pizaria e Gelataria
24 R. Dr. António Ribeiro Garcia de VasconcelosPizza, Ice Cream and delicious Crepes. What more to say!
Another Favourite of ours! Set in a charming historic water mill building next to the river. We think the best seats are ourside looking over the water. A great option if you are in or around Coja.
Lagar do Alva
142 R. Dr. Alberto Moura PintoAnother Favourite of ours! Set in a charming historic water mill building next to the river. We think the best seats are ourside looking over the water. A great option if you are in or around Coja.
Restaurant Verdelhão
Organic food shop, lounge bar and restaurant with vegetarian options.
British pub offering a varied menu including a huge full English breakfast. Popular with English expats!
George and Dragon Pub
N17British pub offering a varied menu including a huge full English breakfast. Popular with English expats!
Restaurante Varandas Verdes
Good traditional Portuguese food, very busy at the weekend.
O Figo Preto
Popular new bistro in Midoes.
Regional fare, wine and petiscos with Vegan/Vegetarian options. Unique local flavour ice-creams. A good place to buy local products as souvenirs and presents.
D'AQUI E D'ACOLÁ - Produtos Regionais, vinhos e petiscos
Rua Doutor José Albano de OliveiraRegional fare, wine and petiscos with Vegan/Vegetarian options. Unique local flavour ice-creams. A good place to buy local products as souvenirs and presents.
Great option en route to Viseu. Excellent traditional food served in black clay from Molelos. Try the fried octopus with corn bread, black eyed peas and greens, roasted lamb and the Morgado cake for dessert. Best to book it in advance.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Restaurante Os Três Pipos
966 R. Santo AmaroGreat option en route to Viseu. Excellent traditional food served in black clay from Molelos. Try the fried octopus with corn bread, black eyed peas and greens, roasted lamb and the Morgado cake for dessert. Best to book it in advance.
Day Trips
Hit the beach! We love to drive to the beach and Figueira da Foz is our go to seaside town, located halfway between Lisbon and Porto. Big, crashing Atlantic waves. For excellent lunch time fish dishes we head to Marégrafo. You can't miss it, it's the blue and white tiled building on the sea front.
58 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Figueira da Foz
Hit the beach! We love to drive to the beach and Figueira da Foz is our go to seaside town, located halfway between Lisbon and Porto. Big, crashing Atlantic waves. For excellent lunch time fish dishes we head to Marégrafo. You can't miss it, it's the blue and white tiled building on the sea front.
Just 45 minutes away by car, the picturesque river-fronted city of Coimbra, makes for an excellent day-trip. There you can explore the historic centre, the Renaissance and baroque Cathedrals and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed University.
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Coimbra
Just 45 minutes away by car, the picturesque river-fronted city of Coimbra, makes for an excellent day-trip. There you can explore the historic centre, the Renaissance and baroque Cathedrals and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed University.
Here you can find castles, medieval infrastructure, beautiful gardens, grand manor homes, and artworks by the country’s most notable Renaissance painter, Vasco Fernandes, which can be viewed at the Grão Vasco Museum.
48 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Viseu
Here you can find castles, medieval infrastructure, beautiful gardens, grand manor homes, and artworks by the country’s most notable Renaissance painter, Vasco Fernandes, which can be viewed at the Grão Vasco Museum.
Local Museums
Everyone loves bread! The Museum of Bread (Museu do Pão), located in Serra da Estrela collects, preserves, and displays the objects and heritage of Portuguese bread in all its aspects: ethnography, politics, society, history, religion, and art. Expect lots of fun dough related activities from making your own bread to doing art with it.
52 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Museu do Pao
Rua do Fonte do MarrãoEveryone loves bread! The Museum of Bread (Museu do Pão), located in Serra da Estrela collects, preserves, and displays the objects and heritage of Portuguese bread in all its aspects: ethnography, politics, society, history, religion, and art. Expect lots of fun dough related activities from making your own bread to doing art with it.
A good place to get a general introduction to the Serra Estrela region.
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
CISE - Interpretation Center of the Serra da Estrela
11 Praceta os Doze de InglaterraA good place to get a general introduction to the Serra Estrela region.
Known as the Cathedral of Serra da Estrela Cheese, this 18th century hosts a wealth of information on how to produce cheese, from milking right through to the gourmet’s table and, of course, you can sample lots of local cheeses from the area.
Solar do Queijo da Serra da Estrela
5 Praça de Santa MariaKnown as the Cathedral of Serra da Estrela Cheese, this 18th century hosts a wealth of information on how to produce cheese, from milking right through to the gourmet’s table and, of course, you can sample lots of local cheeses from the area.
With its architecture in the shape of an olive branch, here you can learn about the history of olive oil. In the 'Olea' restaurant, with panoramic view of the Serra Estrela, every dish has to feature olives.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Museu do Azeite
Nº 7 TRAVESSA DOS VALESWith its architecture in the shape of an olive branch, here you can learn about the history of olive oil. In the 'Olea' restaurant, with panoramic view of the Serra Estrela, every dish has to feature olives.
Supermarkets
There are many Supermarkets in Oliveria do Hospital, a ten minute drive away.
Continente Bom Dia Oliveira do Hospital
Rua Doutor João Afonso Ferreira DinisIntermarché Oliveira do Hospital
Rua Comendador Manuel Rodrigues LagosPingo Doce
3400-160 R. António DiasLIDL Oliveira do Hospital
ALDI Oliveira do Hospital