Things to see and do Central And Beiras

At the southern end of the city centre, the old castle is located on the former strategic medieval position called the Tagus Line. This fortified town, conquered in turn by the Romans, Barbarians, Moors and Christians, has remains from every era. Today it is in ruins, and you will only find part of the defensive wall, the Porta do Sol. From there, you will have a spectacular view of the Tagus and the valley from which it is difficult to take your eyes off.

This museum is housed in the former holiday home of Joaquin Manso, who was a writer-journalist and founder of the Diário de Lisboa. There is an ethnographic and archaeological collection that reflects the history and cultural identity of this maritime region, including some models of traditional costumes and ship models whose postcard representations have filled the purses of postal workers around the world.

Inaugurated in 2007 on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the apparitions in Fatima, this white church is located in front of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. Very modern, it has pure architectural lines: it has no interior pillars but rests on two large transverse beams. In the basement, you can discover several chapels with minimalist decoration where mosaics by contemporary Portuguese artists are drawn along the exterior walls.

This is the new Museum of Contemporary Art in Castelo Branco. Opened in 2013, the oddly shaped building hosts a new exhibition every year from early November. The entrance is hard to find, as despite the width of the 8 doors, it looks like an underground car park entrance. It is located on the right below the roller skating track. Professional staff. Guided tours available on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

At the top of the mountain range, this tower marks the highest point in mainland Portugal. Standing 7 metres high at an altitude of 1,993 metres, it symbolically reaches 2,000 metres above sea level. From here, a breathtaking view reveals a landscape of valleys and rocks, where schist and granite mingle with the blue of rivers. One of the main reasons for coming here is to enjoy winter sports. La Torre is home to stores selling regional products such as the famous Queijo da Serra, honey, bread, sausages and local crafts.

There are two entrances to this route through the valley, either via a wooden footbridge, or via existing hiking trails: at the Caldeirão dam, or at Videmonte. Before setting off, remember to take water and download your entrance ticket, which you'll need to present at checkpoints (for security purposes). The only hitch is that the route is 12 km one way, which means that you'll have to walk back in the opposite direction, or take a cab, as there's no shuttle yet. Or you need 2 cars... But very pretty!

Rely on Berlengatur to discover the Berlengas archipelago. This company offers tourist maritime excursions on the archipelago. Choose from round-trip tours through the Berlengas' paths and landmarks, plus cave visits, guided tours, snorkeling from a glass-bottomed boat offering a view of the depths... You'll leave aboard a catamaran that can carry up to 100 people.

Two crossings per day: departure 9:30-9:45 a.m. with return at 1:30 p.m.; departure 2:30 p.m. with return at 6-6:30 p.m.