North Portugal Tourism Guide - Penacova

Penacova Tourist Information

Penacova is 22 kilometres northeast from Coimbra and 15 kilometres from the Bucaco Forest. Penacova dates back to about 1105 and is a small and cheerful town, with a mild, dry climate set up on the valleysides overlooking the River Mondego. The countryside around the town is covered in lush agricultural fields in the valley bottoms with the mountains above.

The river Mondego offers opportunities for canoeing and other watersports and you can canoe from Penacova to Coimbra. O Pioneiro Do Mondego is a local company offering equipment hire or you can book yourself on one of their guided canoe tours. Tours run from 1 June to 1 October. Reservations can only be made by phone. Tel: 351 239/478 385. Mobile phone: 96 402 47 31. Fax: 351 239/478 385. Email: info@opioneirodomondego.com.

Being close to the Serra do Caramulo and the Serra do Acor there are plenty of opportunities for walking in the mountains or the lush wooded landscape in the valleys. Bike riding and horse riding are also popular and there are several companies locally from where you can hire equipment or book lessons/tours. Check our Central Portugal Outdoor page for more information and the internet links opposite.

Penacova's Tourist Office is in the main town square on Largo Alberto Leitao, 5 - 3360-191 Penacova. Tel: 351 239 470 300. Fax: 351 239 478 098. Email: gap.cmp@aircnet.aire.pt

Penacova Historic Sights

The monastery of Lorvao was founded back in the 9th century but in the bell tower is a plague with visigothic symbols that shows some kind of monastery has been on the site since the 6th century. Later additions include the 17th century cloister and the 18th century church and ornate interior decoration. Mosteiro de Lorvo, Lorvo Penacova. Tel: 351 239 29590. Fax: 351 239 29787. There is also a 16th century Manueline Pillory in the town.

There are several churches dotted about the town, some of which have been decorated in the Renaissance style of the Coimbra sculptors.