“All is greatness in these places.”
José Saramago

Mesmerizing harmony of contrasts, the region of Beiras appears as a region of transition between the green and cold lands of the north and the warm and dry plains of the south. Impressive mountains and luxuriant valleys share boundaries with Spain and the Atlantic Ocean.

The shores, dunes and beaches along the coastline contrast with the mountains region in the east - land of slate and granite, ravines and streams of crystalline water. This gathering of opposites turns Beiras into a palette of colours: green from the pine forests and fields, rocky shades of grey, and bright colours from genistas, heathers, shrubs and oleanders.

Magnificent in its natural sceneries, this region has also immemorial historical roots. The realm of mountains testify the magnitude of its history:  its castles, cathedrals, convents and monasteries, town halls and historic villages which retain vestiges of former civilizations – Romans, Visigoths, Muslims and Christians – hidden in deep valleys and mountain tops. The region’s historic legacy comprises elements from  Prehistory through present times - the Romanization period, the medieval ages, the Catholic aristocracy,.

The determination of its people is a Beiras hallmark. “People who personifies melancholy and joy of living, distance and encounter…”. A people of ancestral traditions who shows its identity on every aspect of daily life, gastronomy and  handicrafts.

The originality and the enchantment of the Beiras handicrafts come from the handicrafter’s dexterity and wisdom in turning materials such as rocks, clay, chestnuts-tree twigs, rushes and canes, metals, wood, wool and linen, into remarkable pieces of workmanship.

Beiras gastronomy is an excepional amalgam of flavours divided into two distinct cuisines – one from the west, in the coast, and other from the east, in the mountains. The first one is the result of the combination of land products with those from the ocean. Its gastronomic specialities are “Chanfana” (lamb stew with red wine), “Leitão da Bairrada” (roasted piglet with a special sauce) and “Caldeirada” (a stew made with a variety of fishes).
In the mountains, the harsh climate requires substantial meals. Its gastronomy is highly-caloric, being the sausages, the bread and the Serra cheese some of the most important products. To accompany its delicious dishes, the region also has some of the best Portuguese wines: Dão, Bairrada and Lafões.

Beiras: where the ocean meets the awesome ridge of mountains…

Festivals and Celebrations
Queima das Fitas, Coimbra, May
Festas da Rainha Santa, Coimbra, July
Buçaco's Batlle Comemorations, Buçaco, September
Festas das Cruzes, Monsanto, May
São Mateus' Fair, Viseu, September