North Portugal Tourism Guide - Figueira da Foz

Figueira de Foz Beaches

Fifteen kilometres of beach is the staggering extent of sand in and around Figueira da Foz. The beaches include: Praia da Figueira da Foz - Relgio, Praia da Gala, Praia da Murtinheira, Praia do Cabo Mondego, Praia da Leirosa, Praia da Costa de Lavos, Praia da Orbitur, Praia da Cova, Cova Gala (Figueira da Foz), Praia do Cabedelo, Praia da Claridade, Praia de Buarcos, Tamargueira (Figueira da Foz), Praia do Vale do Emide, Praia de Quiaios. The beaches along this part of Portugal's coastline are considered to amongst the finest in the country. There is certainly a higher proportion of Blue Flag beaches in and around Figueira than other parts of the Silver Coast.

Figueira da Foz-Relogio is the main beach in the town. It has Blue Flag status and has disabled access, sports areas, children parks and playgrounds and cycle tracks. In fact, it is Portugal's largest beach stretching for more than 3 kilometres. It is so wide, that it's a good five minute walk across the sand to the sea. There are wooden boardwalks to take you across the sand as it can get pretty hot in the height of summer. Praia de Quiaios is also a Blue Flag beach with disabled access and is a quieter beach north of Figueira da Foz. Leirosa and Costa de Lavos, beaches all have Blue Flag status and have facilities such as parking, easy access to the beach, lifeguards, volleyball playing areas, restaurants and cafes nearby. Cova Gala has Blue Flag status and lifeguards, but doesn't have cafes and restaurants nearby.

The stretch of coastline between Figueira and Aveiro is less developed as the coast can only be accessed at three points, Quiaios, Tocha and Mira. The beaches on this part of the coast are again fantastic, wide white sandy beaches, with the long line of sand dunes, Dunas de Quiaios trailing up the coast north of Praia de Quiaios and up to Mira. However, as the beaches are not sheltered by many bays or coves they can be exposed to the Atlantic Ocean and its sometimes fierce winds. On the other hand this does make them particularly good for surfing. These beaches tend to be much less busy and are backed by refreshing forests of pines, eucaluptus and acacias offering shade and picnic sites in the summer sun.

South of Figueira across the mouth of the Mondego is Praia de Cabedelo - a prime surfing venue. Four kilometres south of Figueira is Praia de Gala. The seas at Buarcos, north of Figueira, are popular with surfers and sea kayakers and can be less busy in the height of summer.

Figueira da Foz Museums & Heritage

Attractions at Figueira include the Dr Santos Rocha Municipal Museum that has a good archaeological collection including palaeolithic flint tools, religious sculptures, ceramics, Indo-Portuguese furniture, weapons, coin collections and African and Oriental costumes. Rua Calouste Gulbenkian, 3080-084 Figueira da Foz. Tel: 351 233 402840. Fax 351 233 402846. Open daily 9.15 am-17.15 pm except Sundays. Between 1 Oct-31 May weekends 14.15-17.15 pm.

An interesting use of the profits from wrecking is at Casa do Paco where the walls are lined with 8,000 Delft tiles that were taken from a shipwreck in the 17th century. Largo Prof Vitor Guerra, Figueira da Foz. Tel: 351 233 401 320. Fax: 351 233 420 555.

At the northern end of the bay is the 16th century triangular fortress that was built into the sea defences along with Buarcos Fort. This is another point where the Duke of Wellington stopped off in his efforts to run out the French. At Santana, north east of the town is Castro Santa Olaia, a site of roman ruins of rectangular houses from which some of the finds at the museum have been found. At Serra das Alhadas over to the north east but slightly closer to town is a fine example of Neolithic burial graves.

The route from Coimbra to Figueira da Foz is a popular cycling route. Along way is the stunning castle at Montemor-o-Velho with its castellated wall that runs down the hillside and fragments of Roman stonework in its keep. Being the highest point in a relatively flat area you can get some good views of the countryside from the castle.

Figueira da Foz Casino & Nightlife

There is a buzzing nightlife in Figueira particularly in the summer with a multitude of bars and clubs that open from 11 pm-4 am. The main night-time attraction though is the Casino which can seem to be the centre of the town, at Rua Bernardo Lopes 1. It has games and slot machines, restaurants and bars. It is also host to several shows ranging from song and dance spectaculars to rock bands and ballet. Semi-formal dress and initial outlay of chips are required. It opens at 3 pm until 4 am. You can take a virtual tour online at their website.

Musical events and films are shown at The Centro de Artes e Espectaculos near the Museu Municipal. Check the Figueira Turismo website for more details (available in English).

Mira, Praia de Mira and Quiaios & Horseriding

Between Figueira da Foz and Aveiro is a quieter stretch of coast that you can only reach by a couple of minor roads. This means that the beaches along this stretch are much less busy and even deserted on occasions, brilliant if you fancy some quality me-time. There are beaches at Praia de Quiaios, Praia de Tocha and Praia de Mira.

Mira is a pretty village set around a lagoon and has the most facilities for that stretch of coastline. The village is full of restaurants and cafes in the summer and looks set to become an aquaculture centre for sea bass. To get to Mira drive off the N109 following the N342 through hectares of forest at the end of which are picnic benches in the leafy shade. Carry on into the town and you'll go past the lagoon and find the beach on the west of the town centre. To the south are the Quiaios sand dunes and the Praia de Quiaios which is even more remote. There are riding stables in Quiaios from which you can explore the surrounding forest on horseback. Figueira da Foz Horse Riding Centre, Quinta do Monte Alto de Baixo, Quiaios, Figueira da Foz. Tel: 351 233 910 404 and Quiaios Horse Riding Centre, Quinta das Rolas - Tapadas - Quiaios, Figueira da Foz. Tel: 351 233 910 694 / 919 298. Fax: 351 233 910 392.

Praia de Mira is a beautiful wide sandy beach which can be a little windblown at times. It has Blue Flag status with disabled access and parking adjacent to the beach. There are cafes and restaurants nearby with some snack bars right on the beach. Lifeguards patrol the beach. Surfing and windsurfing are not permitted from this beach.