The distance between Portugal's southern and northern capitals is about 350 km. This distance can be covered in three and a half hours on one of the toll motorways: the A1 or A8 with a transfer to the A17. But if, like me, you like to stop at interesting places along the route, this article is for you! But keep in mind that you will need a visa to Portugal for Belarusian citizens. You can also take a ready-made tours to Portugal.
Bacalhôa Buddha Eden
A rather unusual place for Portugal. The idea to create the park came from Portuguese investor and patron José Berardo. He was deeply affected by the destruction of the giant Buddhas in Afghanistan. As a result, in the early 2000s, he decided to create a "garden of peace" where there would be room for all religions and all forms of creativity.
Buddha's Eden is considered the largest oriental garden in Europe, and its exhibition is constantly expanding. Covering 35 hectares, you will see references to Oriental and African art, as well as contemporary sculptures. And all this is surrounded by nature: palm trees, bamboo groves, ponds, and flower beds.
It's a fantastic place — peaceful and creative. It took me about two hours to walk around the entire garden. At the entrance, you can hop on a tourist train — tickets cost €6 — and take a trip through the picturesque park with stops at the main points of interest.
There is a restaurant and café on site. Visiting Bacalhôa Buddha Eden will cost you €6. This "garden of paradise" is located 75 km from Lisbon.
Óbidos
After driving another 10 km, you will find yourself in a medieval Portuguese town. You need to leave your car behind the fortress wall at Porta da Vila (Porta da Vila). The town is small, so you can explore it in a couple of hours and quickly return to the parking lot from anywhere.
King Dinis gave Obidos Castle to Princess Isabella on their wedding day. For the next 500 years, the town was part of the dowry of Portuguese queens.
The fortress walls surrounding the settlement were built in the 12th-14th centuries. Any tourist can walk along their perimeter, which is 1,565 meters long. From above, the whole city is visible at a glance: a labyrinth of streets, beautiful churches, cute houses, and authentic courtyards where everyday life goes on. In the evening, from the fortress, you can see the sun setting over the horizon and the lights coming on in the city.
Don't miss the swing (Baloiço Óbidos), which also offers a great view of the city.
Be sure to try a glass of ginja, a Portuguese cherry liqueur. It was in Obidos that they came up with the idea of serving this drink in small chocolate cups.
In spring, the city hosts an International Chocolate Festival, in summer—a Medieval Bazaar, and in winter—a Christmas Fair. It is interesting to walk around the old town when there are no mass celebrations.
Batalha Monastery (Mosteiro da Batalha)
On the way to Porto, 140 km from Lisbon, there is another gem of Portugal — the Santa Maria da Vitória Monastery in Batalha (Santa Maria da Vitória na Batalha).
Two kilometers from its location, an important battle took place at the end of the 14th century, in which João I was able to defend the independence of his kingdom. As a sign of gratitude to the Virgin Mary, whose protection he had sought, the monarch decided to build this cathedral.
The next six Portuguese rulers continued João's work. However, the temple was never completed. In the early 16th century, King Manuel I decided to switch his focus to the construction of the Jerónimos Monastery. That is why one of the chapels of the Batalha Temple has no roof.
It's impossible to take your eyes off the Gothic cathedral. It reveals itself in new ways from different angles. The richness of detail, the lace-like stucco molding, the huge medieval stained-glass windows—it's dizzying!
The main cathedral can be visited free of charge. However, to visit the inner courtyards, chapels, and tombs of the Portuguese kings, you have to pay €6. I planned to spend an hour there, but ended up staying much longer because it is so beautiful.
Leiria
The city of Leiria is located 10 km from Batalha. It is a municipal center with a rich historical past and an active creative present. Modernity is so skillfully intertwined with antiquity here — I was very impressed!
The city is quite large by Portuguese standards, and it has many interesting places to visit. That's why I've put together a two-kilometer walking route for you.
I recommend leaving your car in the parking lot near the main market. Not far from it is an elevator that will take you to the castle hill. All the landmarks are marked on the map. Enjoy exploring the city! And by the way, even during this period, you can find last-minute deals.
A. Castelo de Leiria
The first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, conquered this territory in the 12th century and began building a castle on the mountain at that time. Two centuries later, King Dinis built his residence within the fortress walls. A little later, it was decided to build a church nearby.
Not much has survived from those times, but the large loggia of the former palace remains, offering a breathtaking view of the city and its surroundings. Sitting on a stone bench, you can gaze into the distance for hours.
Admission to the castle grounds costs just over €2.
B. Torre Sineira
“A bell tower without a cathedral, a cathedral without a bell tower, a right street that isn’t right at all, and a river flowing uphill” — there is a humorous rhyme about Leiria.
So here you have a bell tower that is separate from the church. This bell tower was built slightly higher than the cathedral because the sound of the bells can be heard even in the most remote parts of the city.
The bell tower was built at the end of the 18th century. The first floor of the tower was used as a prison, and now it houses a police station.
C. Leiria Cathedral (Sé Catedral de Leiria)
This temple was built in the 16th century because the churches that had been in the city before could no longer accommodate all the parishioners. The cathedral's architecture is a mixture of Baroque and Renaissance styles.
However, the temple has not survived to the present day in its original form. First, it had to be rebuilt after the massive Portuguese earthquake of 1755, and half a century later, it was severely damaged by the French.
D. Cat on the Roof
I didn't see this monument in other guidebooks. I noticed a cat on the roof, wandering aimlessly through the narrow streets of the old town. By the way, try to find the mustachioed one while looking at the city from the castle's loggia.
A huge black cat has been installed on the roof of an association for people over 50 who are interested in art and literature. Portuguese pensioners don't like to waste away at home, but attend clubs based on their interests — an interesting old age, I support that.
E. Praça Rodrigues Lobo
Since the Middle Ages, fairs have been held in this square. The Portuguese poet Rodrigues Lobo, born in Leiria, loved to visit here. The square was named in his honor.
Now Prasa is the main square of the city. The sidewalk is paved with Portuguese cobblestones. The buildings adjacent to the square house many cafes and restaurants, shops, and tattoo parlors. I told you that Leiria is rejuvenating itself.
F. Jardim Luís de Camões
Before strolling through the garden, head over to the fountain. It's a great spot for taking photos with a view of the castle. But you can also see it clearly from the park itself.
The green park has many benches and fountains, as well as a café and public restroom. The garden is located on the banks of the Lis River.
G. Ponte Bar
There is a pedestrian and bicycle path along the embankment, there are recreation areas, and murals can be seen on nearby buildings.
There are many pedestrian bridges across the river. The most striking of these is the Bar Bridge. Next time I come here, I'll bring coffee and pastries. I recommend you do the same.
H. Molho do Papel (Paper Mill)
Leiria is home to Portugal's first paper mill. It was built in the 15th century and ran on hydraulic power. The advent of their own paper prompted the Portuguese to acquire their first printing press and publish their first printed book.
The factory is still in use today, but now as a mill. You can even buy flour ground on old equipment. All rooms are open to the public. The exhibition will introduce you to the history of paper production and the process of making flour. Now you can return to your car and move on.
Coimbra
Halfway to Porto lies one of Portugal's most famous cities, Coimbra. The municipal center has an ancient history, but possesses a youthful and active energy. It is called the "city of students" because it is home to the country's oldest university, and one in seven residents is a student.
In order to see the main attractions of this rather large city, you will have to walk about 5 km.
Jardim da Manga
The city's main attractions are the university and its library. But to avoid walking around in circles in the center, I recommend starting your route at this garden (marked on the map). The municipal market (Mercado Municipal) is nearby. You can usually find parking there as well.
The bright yellow building surrounded by fountains will serve as your landmark. The square on which it stands used to be a monastery courtyard. But for some reason, Jardim da Manga is now located behind the monastery wall.
A. Church of Santa Cruz (Igreja de Santa Cruz)
The Monastery of the Holy Cross dates back to the 12th century and is closely linked to the founding of the Portuguese kingdom. It eventually became the pantheon for the first monarch and his successor.
Little remains of the Romanesque appearance of the church. During the reign of Manuel I, the monastery underwent reconstruction—the craftsmen of the time added the ruffles beloved by the king to the façade. Admission to the cathedral costs €3.
B. Barbican Gate and Arco de Almedina
On the way to the next ancient temple, you will pass through the Barbican Gate and the Almédina Arch. These medieval portals, built in the Moorish style, were part of the city wall.
Ten years ago, a sculpture dedicated to the Portuguese guitar was installed in the square between the two gates. The fado genre originated in Lisbon, while its student version appeared in Coimbra — when, if not during your student years, to sing about love!
Please note: in front of the gate there will be a cozy street with knitted scarves stretched between the houses.
Sé Velha
This is the old cathedral of Coimbra. Like Santa Cruz, it was built in the 12th century, but unlike the previous temple, it has managed to preserve most of its Romanesque features.
From the outside, the church resembles a fortress. In the Middle Ages, it was used for defensive purposes. To enter the temple and look into the inner courtyards, you need to pay €2.
D. Sé Nova
And this is the New Cathedral. It was built in the 16th century—at that time, it was truly new, being 400 years younger than its predecessor. The architecture of the cathedral is based on Baroque and Mannerism styles. The altar is decorated with gilding. Two organs hang above it. There is a museum of religious artifacts within the walls of the cathedral. Admission costs €1.
I would like to draw your attention to the following: if you walk around the cathedral on the right, you will see a ticket office where you can buy a ticket to the university library. Go there right away so you don't have to come back later. Opposite the ticket office is the Science Museum (Museu da Ciência da Universidade de Coimbra) — be sure to visit it after buying your ticket, as it is included in the price.
E. University of Coimbra (Universidade de Coimbra)
Actually, you are already at the main university of Coimbra, the oldest university in Portugal and one of the first in the world. The educational institution was founded at the end of the 13th century, but the university finally moved to Coimbra only in the middle of the 16th century.
The university consists of eight faculties, whose buildings occupy the upper part of the hill. The university has its own chapel, whose bell used to announce the beginning and end of classes.
The students here are like those at Hogwarts: they wear black robes and ribbons on their uniforms instead of colored hoods and ties, which indicate which faculty they belong to.
F. Joanina Library (Biblioteca Joanina)
Frescoes on the walls and ceiling, gilding on the shelves, and 300,000 antique editions. Photography is not permitted in the Joanina Library, which makes you feel even more like you have entered the holy of holies. King João V decided to build this temple of books in the 18th century. The library bears his name.
Can you imagine, bats live here—they save rare editions from insects that are dangerous to their pages.
Admission is €13.50. Visits to the library are strictly limited to the time indicated on the ticket. Before or after your visit, you can stop by the San Miguel Chapel and visit the university building, which was formerly the royal palace.
G. University Botanical Garden (Jardim Botânico da Universidade)
The university botanical garden was also founded in the 18th century. Plants from all over the world are gathered on 13 hectares. Previously, the park was used by students for educational purposes, but now it is open to everyone.
The garden is very beautiful and quiet. It's a great place to relax in the heat.
H. Ponte Pedro e Inês
Now it's time to head down the hill. Verde do Mondego Park is located by the Mondego River. Take a stroll through it, heading towards the Pedro e Inês Bridge.
The pedestrian bridge was opened in 2006. Its interesting shape and multicolored glass railings add a striking modern accent to the surrounding restrained landscape.
I. Santa Clara-a-Velha
On the left bank of the Mondego stands the monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha. It was built in the 14th century. The temple has been empty since the 17th century. This is because it is located very close to the river and is periodically flooded. The monks moved higher up — you can see the Santa Clara-a-Nova Cathedral on the hill (I left a mark on the route map for you).
The ruins of the old Gothic monastery are well preserved, even though they are still flooded. This place is often used for concerts and other events. It offers a great view of the university hill.
G. Portugal dos Pequenitos
Our last stop is the Portugal in Miniature Museum. This open-air exhibition was created in the middle of the last century and consists of three parts: former Portuguese colonies, national landmarks, and authentic village houses.
A full ticket costs €14. Children will love this place, but adults will find it interesting too. You can not only view the mini buildings from the outside, but also take a look inside.
If your trip allows you to visit all the locations I have described in this article, set aside one day for the Buddha Garden and Obidos, the second for the Monastery of Batalha and Leiria, and the third for Coimbra. I will talk separately about the city of Aveiro, which is 70 km from Porto — it will be another must-see on your itinerary.
