Visit and discover the paradise of the Portuguese interior

Portugal’s Beira Interior is a natural paradise, fortified by timeless castles, rich in legends and with a welcoming people. Discover a unique region where nature has sculpted a beautiful countryside of mountains and rivers, dortied with natural parks, tradi􀆟onal schist villages and uniquely characteristic historic villages.

Three hotel, Three destinations to discover!

Convento da Sertã Hotel

Day one

Cabril Valley

Walking route PR2 (PR2)will take you along an old cobbled path down to the early 17th century Philippine bridge, which until 1954 was the only link between villages on either side of the river Zêzere. This route has stunning views along the river valley and several picnic spots along the way. The path continues to a tunnel, dating from 1918, built to transport water to the Moinho das Freiras mill in the valley below.

Cabril Dam

One of the largest of its kind in Portugal, the Cabril Dam was constructed in the 1950s to generate electricity and provide a store of water. Nowadays the reservoir has become an impressive leisure area and focus for active tourism.

Casal de São Simão Schist Village

This village, consisting of little more than one street, runs along the crest of one of the quartzite crystal flanks that form the Fragas de São Simão river gorge. Casal de São Simão boasts a spring-water drinking fountain, a chapel, a restaurant and one of the Schist Village Network shops selling local crafts. Lunch in the Varanda do Casal restaurant is a delicious mix of sophistication and traditional cuisine, with a nod to the olden days. Relax on the terrace and enjoy the best flavours of the region. The river beach is a 15 minute walk away. Nestled between the two imposing crags of the gorge and shaded by cork oaks and fragrant bay laurel, this is a magical place. Enjoy the waters or try rock-climbing, rappel or slide or a stroll along the wooden footbridges and walkways.

Day Two

Local Gastronomy

Eat lunch in Sertã and taste some of these wonderful regional dishes: Maranho is a delicacy that has been enjoyed here for more than 200 years, first appearing around the period of the French invasions. Bucho Recheado originated in the Alentejo, the recipe was brought back to this region by the seasonal workers who travelled there for the annual harvests. The skill and knowhow of an exceptional cook lie behind the 40 year-old recipe for Dona Helena’s Fish Soup, one of the signature dishes of the Ponte Velha and Santo Amaro restaurants. Dating back to the end of the 19th century, but with mysterious origins, Cernache do Bonjardim’s Cartuchos de Amêndoa are a must for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Templar Village of Dornes

The village of Dornes, in the district of Ferreira do Zêzere, has been called the Enchanted Village or the Mythic Village of the Templars. On the top of a peninsula surrounded by the waters of the Zêzere River, the village is crowned by a pentagonal defensive tower built by the Templars - the only one of its kind in Portugal. This is an ideal spot for walking and boat rides all year round and for bathing and water sports during the summer

Água Formosa Schist Village

In this village, in the district of Vila de Rei, you can see the vestiges of ancient traditions, such as the wood-fired bread ovens and the use of water-power in the old mills. The name Água Formosa (fabulous water) owes itself to the source of pure spring water that still flows from a grotto just outside the village.

Penedo Furado Waterfall

In the district of Vila de Rei the wooden walkways or “passadiços” link the award-winning Penedo Furado river beach to one of Central Portugal’s best-kept secrets, the Penedo Furado waterfall. Perfect for all the family, the walkways are less than a kilometre in length and there are many lovely spots for taking a dip.

The Geodesic Centre of Portugal and the Zêzere Nautical Centre at Trízio

Just outside the town of Vila de Rei is the Picoto da Melriça, a peak where a geodesic pillar was erected in 1802, marking the centre of Portugal. The spectacular 180-degree view is really not to be missed. A litle further on you will find the Trízio river beach, where you can swim in the Zêzere River, hire boats and enjoy a variety of water sports such as canoeing, water-skiing and wakeboard.

Day three

Açude Pinto and Cambas

The Açude Pinto and Cambas river beaches have everything you need to make the most of the hot summer days! Have lunch at the Adega dos Apalaches and try the famous cabrito estonado (roast kid). This is a traditional Portuguese delicacy linked to ancient traditions.

Álvaro Schist Village, Mosqueiro Viewpoint and the Orvalho walkway

Visit the enchanting village of Álvaro. In the Geopark Naturtejo Park you will find one of the most recent wooden walkways in Portugal, taking you past a series of UNESCO classified geomonuments, as well as the Fraga da Água d’Alta waterfall and the Cabeço do Mosqueiro with its fabulous viewpoint.

Casa da Cisterna

For most people, luxury accommodation suggests something very modern, with a restricted and selective ambience and a swimming pool. For Ana and António, biologists from Lisbon who fell in love with rural life and are now the owners of the Casa da Cisterna guesthouse, luxury is something more down-to-earth: in the beautiful fortified village of Castelo Rodrigo the walls carry centuries of history and are open for whoever wishes to enter. This rural guesthouse has a special character, sophistication and good taste are happily combined and every detail is important.

Day four

Historic Village of Monsanto

Before arriving at Casa da Cisterna visit the iconic village of Monsanto, considered in 1938 to be the Most Portuguese Village in Portugal and classified as a Historic Village in 1995. With evidence of having been a human habitation since Palaeolithic times, the ancient sites combine with the famous tiny houses embedded into giant boulders to make this a very unique and special place.

Historic Villages of Castelo Bom and Almeida

King Dinis conquered these lands from Léon in Spain, with his possession confirmed by the Treaty of Alcanizes. He ordered the reconstruction of the castle and outer walls, reinforced in the Manueline period and whose remains are still visible.

Day Five

Historic Village of Castelo Rodrigo Castelo

Castelo Rodrigo is a stately location with important medieval ties. Highlights are the old walls, the ruins of the palace of Cristóvão de Moura, the 500 year old pillory and the remains of an early-Christian community.

Côa Museum

The Côa Park Foundation was created in 2011 to safeguard and enhance the Vale de Côa Archeological Park and Museum. Its aims are the protection, conservation, promotion and investigation of the prehistoric art found here. The Côa Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered to be one of the most important open-air Palaeolithic rock art sites. Like a vast gallery, Côa Valley has more than 20km of Palaeolithic engravings, dating back 25.000 years.

Night-time visit to the Vale do Côa Palaeolithic rock art site

In the early 1990s, during the initial construction of the Côa dam, the archaeologist Nelson Rebanda identified the first engraved rock at the site. Fortunately the site was preserved from flooding and is now a record of our distant past. The best way to see the rock carvings is to visit in the evening and use torchlight.

Day six

Safari and Picnic at the Faia Brava Reserve

In the Faia Brava Reserve, nature is given the highest value: there are more than 100 hectares exclusively dedicated to conservation. Activities focus on ecological restoration through improving habitats, increasing food sources of the most endangered species and managing the forest.

Torre de Moncorvo Tower and Douro International Natural Park

Torre de Moncorvo is a town with a surprising diversity of heritage: architectural, archaeological, natural, geological and industrial. The Douro International Natural Park is one of the most stunning nature areas, not only in Portugal but in all of Europe.

Douro river boat trip

Enjoy a boat ride along the river Douro, where you will see vineyard terraces reaching down to the river and hundred year old buildings of the old wine producing estates, all in a unique landscape now considered to be a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

Convento da Sertã Hotel

Rua do Convento nº 12, 6100-597 Sertã
274 608 493 | geral@conventodasertahotel.pt | conventodasertahotel.pt

Lat: 39 48’ 03’’ Lon: -08 06’ 02’

Casa da Cisterna

Largo da Igreja, 6440-031 Castelo Rodrigo
271 313 515 | info@casadacisterna.com| casadacisterna.com
Lat: 40 87’ 65” Lon: -06 96’ 40’