Region Tourism
A Location of Excellence
The city of Leiria was born between the castle and the river Lis, as a result of the movement of the Christian reconquest to the Muslims by the reign of D. Afonso Henriques. However, it was in the reign of King Dinis (1285-1324) that the city grew into what it is today. D. Dinis was famous for several works in Leiria, such as drying marshes on the banks of the Lis for agricultural purposes, which would give rise to the fertile valley that extends from Leiria to its mouth, and the sowing of Pinhal de Leiria, made by which he became known by the nickname “O Lavrador”. The woods of the Pinhal de Leiria were decisive for shipbuilding at the time of the Portuguese Discoveries (sec. XV / XVI), a predominant activity in the region today.
Marked by its gastronomic diversity, the city of Leiria offers us various delicacies such as the Marrazes rice black pudding, Boavista-style piglet and the seafood rice of Vieira beach (considered one of the 7 gastronomic wonders). Also Brisas do Lis, Canudos de Leiria, Filhós de Abobora and Bolinho de Pinhão are some of the conventual sweets you can find in this beautiful city. Integrated in the Demarcated Wine Region of Aire, it offers excellent wines (Cortes, Touria, Vidigal), as well as the precious Milk Liqueur of Vieira de Leiria.
Leiria is located close to several beaches, such as Praia da Vieira, Praia do Pedrogão, São Pedro de Moel, Paredes da Vitória and Nazaré.
Holder of a vast cultural heritage, it is possible to contemplate several monuments such as Leiria Castle, the Papel Mill, the Church of Our Lady of the Incarnation, MIMO (Museum of Image and Moviment) in Leiria, and in the nearby cities, Batalha Monastery, Alcobaça Monastery, Fatima Sanctuary, Ourém Castle and Pombal Castle.
Leiria is just 10 minutes from Lisotel.
The Leiria Museum has recently won one of the most important awards at the annual European Museum Forum awards ceremony, “The Silletto”. But this is not the only museum you can visit in Leiria. The city also proposes the Moinho de Papel, signed by Álvaro Siza Vieira, the m | i | mo – Museum of Image and Movement) or the Lapedo Valley Interpretation Center.
Outside the municipality there are other points of interest: the Batalha de Aljubarrota Interpretation Center, the Batalha Council Community Museum, the Marinha Grande Glass Museum or the Caldas da Rainha Ceramics Museum.
Coimbra, for its historical importance, is also a city that deserves attention and is less than an hour from Lisotel.
Three of the Seven Wonders of Portugal are in the Leiria district: the Alcobaça and Batalha Monasteries and the Óbidos Castle.
If these are not enough reasons to visit the region, we will give you some more: the castles of Leiria, Pombal, Ourém and Porto de Mós. Not yet? How about the Convent of Christ and the Peged Aqueduct in Tomar?
The heritage of the region is vast and worth visiting. And Lisotel is less than 50 minutes from all this!
Behind the pine forest of Leiria are unique beaches: Praia da Vieira, with its tradition of Xávega art and its seafood rice – one of the wonders of Portuguese gastronomy -, São Pedro de Moel beach, characterized by the architecture of the Modern Movement that fills the streets of its village or the Pedrógão beach, the only one in the municipality of Leiria, with animation during the bathing season.
25 minutes is the time needed to reach these beaches. And since you are in the “wave” of sea, sand and sun, enjoy your stay and jump to Nazaré or Figueira da Foz, both 30 minutes from our hotel.
With 1205 meters of altitude, the Serra da Lousã is regularly painted white in the winter months, with snowfall at the highest points. If today it only entertains the younger ones and serves as inspiration for photography, snow was once important to the royal courts of Lisbon, which needed ice to refresh their drinks during the summer months. Hence the existence of the snow wells in Castanheira de Pera, which is worth knowing. Lisotel is one hour from Serra da Lousã.
Further south, the Serra de Aire and Candeeiros hide an enviable geological wealth, with a host of visitable caves. The municipality of Porto de Mós offers three: the famous caves of Mira de Aire, the caves of Alvados and the caves of Santo António. The hiking trails of this mountain range are also suitable for all those who enjoy adventure and seek inspiration.
Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park is 40 km from Lisotel (35 minutes).
Fatima is usually dubbed the “Altar of the World” and is today a place of pilgrimage for thousands of pilgrims who travel between May and October hundreds of miles moved by faith.
For more or less believers, the city and the surrounding area are worth a visit: the Sanctuary, the Basilica and the villages of Aljustrel and Valinhos.
Lisotel is half an hour from Fatima.
Charms of the region of Leiria
