North Portugal Tourism Guide - Family Holidays North

Santo Inacio Park and Zoo, Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto

The Santo Inacio Park and Zoo have a variety of animals including snow leopards, meercats, cranes and owls.

They have regular falconry and reptile displays during the week and at weekends - check their website for the latest times (the website is in Portuguese but opening hours for the zoo are under the "Informaces" title can be found at the link on the right).

There is a self-service restaurant and a bar/cafe overlooking a lake.

The zoo also supports the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums conservation "Campaign of Madagascar" which one of the events organised has been where drawing children have done visiting the zoo will be sent to schools in Madagascar to show that people are concerned about the loss of Madagascan species due to deforestation, hunting and pressures from the increasing human population. Madagascan children will be given the opportunity to send pictures back to Europe when an exhibition will be held.

Casa-Museo Van Zeller, Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto

The Casa-Museo Van Zeller is the former summer home of the Van Zeller family, whose wealth arose from the port wine trade.

The family lived in the house for three centuries, through Napoleonic wars; today it is open as a museum including many everyday objects that give an inside view into how middle-class Portuguese families would have lived. Some family members are attributed with having helped the local population's health by introducing vaccines. Other family members are said to be quite the nature lovers having introduced many plants to Portugal such as camellias.

The gardens surrounding the house are a testament to the enthusiasm for gardening that the family had and include many ancient trees and unusual species of camellias that have attracted visitors from all over the world.

Amarante Family Activities, Douro

On the River Tamega in Amarante you can hire boats for a spot of paddling about on the river.

For the kids there's the Amarante Water Park two kilometres southwest of the centre that has swimming pools and waterslides for a change to walking around the historic town. (A downloadable map is available from the link to the right).

There is also a golf course and swimming pools. The "Porto Card" gives discounts at all these attractions.

Serra das Meadas Biological Park near Lamego, Douro

From Lamego in the Douro region the Biological Park - Serra das Meadas. Here you can get up close and personal with the wildlife including deer and wild boar and wander around the designated walks.

Bracalandia Amusement Park near Braga

Near Braga in the north is Bracalandia Amusement Park which is a fun place to take the children. It has lots of different rides including a big wheel and train rides.

Although the website is in Portuguese it's worth a look for its fun cartoon graphics - link right. There a location map and price list for info.

It's open well into the evening as well as all day. Bracalandia, Rodovia, 4710-399 Braga. Tel: 351 60 32 60. Fax: 351 253 67 61 47.

Coimbra's Gardens & Parks, Central Portugal

There are several parks around Coimbra if you just want to sit and relax amongst the shade of the trees. The most notable is the Botanic Gardens on the western slope south of the university which are the largest in the country covering 20 hectares. These were founded by the influential statesman the Marques de Pombal in 1772-1774 and contain formal flowerbeds, a range of trees and plants from all over the world and ornate fountains. Nearby is the 16th century Sao Sebastiao aqueduct. Open Apr-Sep 9 am-8 pm, Oct-Mar 9 am-5.30 pm. Admission free.

Along the Rio Mondego is the Manuel Braga park, formal gardens with children's playground, cafes and kiosks.

Next to the Convento da Santa Clara-a-Velho is Portugal dos Pequenitos Parque, a miniature theme park containing scale models of Portugal's important buildings, monuments and Portuguese homes including some from the colonies. It was founded in 1940, and it is the work of architect Cassiano Branco. A great day out for the children and saves you having to trek round Portugal to see all the sights!

Names of Famous Caves: Mira de Aire, Grutas de Alvados and Grutas de Santo Antonio

The Parque Natural de Serras Aire e Candeeiros (PNSAC) area north of Lisbon is widely known for its cathedral-like caves which form through the gradual erosion of water over years that create wonderfully architectural formations. Portugal's largest cave system is at Mira de Aire on the north east of PNSAC. It was discovered in 1947 and opened to the public in 1971. There is a 45 minute guided tour through the garishly illuminated caves with all sorts of stalagmite and stalactite formations. The last cavern at a depth of 110 metres contains a huge lake with a dramatic fountain display.

Buses leave from Porto de Mos to Mira de Aire (1 kilometre from the caves) that takes about 30 minutes. Two a day also run from Nazare via Alcobaca that takes one and a half hours.

The Grutas de Alvados and Grutas de Santo Antonio were discovered by workmen in 1964 and are smaller than the Mira de Aire caves. They are also technicoloredly lit and guided tours are offered. The different caves at Alvados are given inspiring names like, Lake of Wonder, Room of Statues, Beautiful Bedroom; The Cypress Room, The Lake with the Bridge, and the Wonderful Planet. You can see the Lake of Happiness at the Santo Antonio caves.

They are about fifteen kilometres southeast of Porto de Mos and two kilometres and three and a half kilometres respectively south of the N243 from Porto de Mos to Mira de Aire. Open Apr-May Daily 9.30-6 pm. Jun Daily 9.30-7 pm. Jul-Aug daily 9.30 am-8.30 pm. Sept daily 9.30 am-7 pm. Oct-Mar daily 9.30 am-5.30 pm.

Dinosaurs Footprints

The dinosaur tracks are in Pedreira do Galinha just off the IC2 road east of Alcobaca approximately 10 km from Fatima and 16Km from Torres Novas. They are in a former limestone quarry and were discovered in July 1994 by Joao Carvalho, a member of a local caving and archaeology association STEA.

These really are dinosaur footprints fossilised in the rock. These are the oldest and longest series of sauropod tracks found anywhere else in the world. They are also exceptionally well preserved examples of some of the largest land animals that have ever lived. The footprints are approximately 175 million years old and date from the Middle Jurassic period. Check the website for more information.

For more information contact: Monumento Natural das Pegadas de Dinossaurios da Serra de Aire, Estrada de Fatima, Bairro, 2490-216 Ourem. Tel. 351 249 530 160. Fax: 351 249 530 169. Email: dinossaurios@hotmail.com.

Open Weds-Fri: 10 am-12.30 pm and 2-7 pm. Between 21 March and 22 September and on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays longer opening hours until 8 pm. Closed Tuesdays.

Lourinha Museum - Dinosaurs

Carrying on the dinosaur theme is the Museum of Lourinha near the coast. Here they have Portugal's most impressive collection of fossils and a fossil treatment lab. Portuguese and international archaeologists have found a wide variety of remains in western Portugal that have built up a picture of how the dinosaurs would have roamed this area in prehistoric times.

In 1993 Paimogo was the site of the discovery of the largest nest of dinosaur eggs in the world and the only eggs ever found in Europe to contain embryos. An incredible find that you can find out all about at Lourinha Musuem, Rua Joo Luis de Moura, 2530-157 Lourinha. Tel: 351 261 414 003. Fax: 351 261 423 887. Email: museulourinha@mail.telepac.pt

Accommodation Nazare - Family Beach Resorts on the Silver Coast

Sao Martinho do Porto is the main resort along the coast between Peniche and Nazare. It is a bit more developed than other resorts along this stretch of the Silver Coast, but it is fairly low key with an easy-going atmosphere. As it lies in a natural bay its shelter makes it a popular choice for families with white sands sloping into calm, shallow water. In fact, it's one of the warmest places to swim on the west coast.

This is very much a tourist resort that provides many activities to keep you amused. Sailing, surfing, parapenting, hang-gliding, canoeing, mountain biking, walking, rock climbing and golf are all available here. There is another beach on the open coast north of the bay that can be less crowded in peak season, but as it's exposed to the Atlantic breakers it can be a dangerous place to swim. There is a tourist information office at the far end of the seafront on Avenida Marginal. Tel: 351 262 989 110.

At Nazare it's the beaches that tourists flock here for. The main beach is a vast stretch of white sand that has Blue Flag status and disabled access. Although many of the beaches along this stretch of coastline can be pretty dangerous for swimming, the main beach at Nazare is patrolled by lifeguards and the bay offers a degree of sheltered swimming. The main promenade, Avenida da Republica that borders the beach is lined with some excellent seafood restaurants and bars. To the south between Sao Martinho do Porto and around the village of Gralha there are several quieter small coves. To the north Praia Norte is a popular spot for nude sunbathing.