Summary
On the coastline close to Coimbra, Figueira da Foz is a resort city featuring a casino, bars, restaurants, and a vast urban beach.
It serves as a destination for relaxation during the day, transitioning to dining and nightlife after sunset.
Figueira da Foz is home to numerous grand holiday residences, including a 17th-century property belonging to the Bishop of Coimbra, alongside several structures reflecting the Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles that emerged when the city gained popularity as a resort.
Lofty and alluring, the Serra da Boa Viagem constitutes a range of pine-laden hills that offer picturesque viewpoints, hiking paths, and a woodland adventure park.
Let’s delve into the top activities to enjoy in Figueira da Foz:
1. Praia da Claridade
The expansive white sandy beach of Figueira da Foz began attracting visitors during the 19th century, which led to the development of the Bairro Novo neighborhood, characterized by bars, hotels, and restaurants nearby.
This beach boasts some of the broadest sands (the widest urban beach in Europe), making the journey to the water quite a trek! Furthermore, the views towards the pine-covered hills of Serra da Boa Viagem and Cabo Mondego are breathtaking.
Available amenities are extensive, featuring a multitude of striped sunshades, sun loungers, and shops and bars located along Avenida 25 de Abril at the back.
As for the surf, the waves break considerably far out, favoring safe, shallow waters for younger visitors.
2. Casino da Figueira
This casino stands as one of the largest and oldest on the Iberian Peninsula, showcasing a modern glass facade that belies its historical significance.
Originating in the 19th century, the interior is adorned with opulent Beaux-Arts designs.
Even if gaming is not your focus, an evening spent admiring the intricate decor, stuccowork, and frescos while contemplating your poker strategy is well worth it.
A selection of bars and an exceptional restaurant is available, and prior to visiting, one could review the entertainment schedule to see if it aligns with your interests.
3. Museu Municipal Santos Rocha
The esteemed history, art, and archaeology museum in Figueira da Foz was established in the 1890s by the renowned archaeologist António dos Santos Rocha.
After several relocations, it found its permanent and purpose-built premises in 1976. A plethora of captivating exhibits await visitors, notably furniture, sculptures, and various decorative items returned from colonies in regions such as India, East Africa, and the Far East.
Additionally, the museum boasts significant collections of religious art from defunct monasteries and convents, alongside an extensive coin collection, antique carriages, and weapons.
4. Nucleo Museologico do Sal
The marshland on the southern arm of the Mondego River features a mosaic of salt ponds.
Salt production involves traditional methods that have been handed down through the generations, revealing a fascinating process.
To preserve this heritage, the town established a museum adjacent to the salt ponds a decade ago.
The museum features a raised boardwalk for site exploration and a warehouse displaying exhibits covering salt’s ecological significance, historical context in Portugal, production methods in Figueira da Foz, and the natural environment of the marshes.
5. Palácio Sotto Maior
Joaquim Sotto Maior, a Portuguese entrepreneur who earned his fortune in Brazil during the early 20th century, showcased his affluence with this palace complex situated a mere five-minute stroll from the beach.
This site is located on a road in Bairro Novo, densely lined with luxurious villas from the era when Figueira became a popular destination for affluent individuals.
It is advisable to verify opening hours or arrange a visit through the local tourist office, where you will be guided through this sumptuous Neo-Renaissance estate, embellished with porcelain, sculpture, chandeliers, and artwork.
Even the stables reflect the grandeur of a manor house, and a viewing tower styled in Manueline architecture graces the property.
6. Forte Santa Catarina
During the Early Modern Age, Figueira da Foz faced threats from the sea, prompting the construction of a trio of forts to protect against pirates and foreign naval powers.
The most formidable of these forts, which guarded the mouth of the Mondego River, was erected in the late 16th century during the Philippine era.
With its triangular design, this structure suffered multiple attacks and had to be rebuilt during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Visitors can enjoy stunning views from the ramparts and witness the small Mannerist chapel built in 1598, which features an image of Santa Catarina created in the 1700s.
7. Cabo Mondego
Where the Serra da Boa Viagem mountain range meets the Atlantic Ocean lies this impressive headland located a few kilometers from the city.
A designated lay-by along the road offers an opportunity to stop and take in the views of the city and Praia da Figueira.
A lighthouse stands at this viewpoint, and the geological features of the cliffs merit attention for their sedimentary rock formations, which are interspersed with fossils from the Middle and Upper Jurassic Period.
A remarkable panorama can be enjoyed from the Abrigo da Montanha, a restaurant situated a short distance inland and up a slope.
8. Praia do Cabedelo
On the left bank of the Mondego River lies another breathtaking beach.
This beach has been divided into two sections, interconnected by a boardwalk that traverses the dunes behind.
Near the river’s mouth is a small bay sheltered by long breakwaters, keeping the ocean currents at bay to create calm, shallow waters perfect for floating.
The southern portion of the beach continues for a kilometer, welcoming the rolling waves of the Atlantic.
Surfers relish this spot, as will be detailed further, though it also serves as a perfect location for a leisurely day in the sun.
9. Casa do Paço
Commissioned by the Bishop of Coimbra in the 17th century, this palace is located a short distance from the marina along the Mondego River.
The exterior is rather unremarkable as it blends with modern commercial establishments, yet the highlight is found within, boasting room after room adorned with exquisite Dutch tiles.
These blue and white tiles were crafted in Delft near Rotterdam in the early 18th century, presenting a fascinating puzzle of how a record-breaking 6,700 tiles ended up in this palace. One theory suggests they were salvaged from a shipwreck.
10. Centro de Artes e Espectáculos
For those seeking cultural engagement, one may consider exploring the programming at this spacious arts venue located adjacent to the Museu Municipal Santos Rocha.
This contemporary facility, inaugurated in 2002, features two auditoriums, one accommodating over 800 seats, as well as several exhibition galleries.
Various events, including opera, art exhibitions, dance performances, live music, theater, and workshops for children, frequently take place here.
Additionally, the center houses a cinema that showcases celebrated independent films, with a current focus on a season dedicated to Wim Wenders.
11. Montemor-o-Velho
Located just 15 minutes upstream, this formidable castle ascends dramatically over the Mondego River and the adjacent rice fields.
Constructed in the 11th century in the aftermath of Coimbra’s fall, it served as a pivotal fortification during the Reconquista, marking the border between the Christian north and the Moorish south.
Visitors will understand the strategic importance of this fortress as they traverse the battlements and take in expansive views of the surrounding landscape.
A church within the castle walls features Gothic and Manueline architectural styles, along with decorations and sculptures dating back to the 14th century.
12. Surfing
Interestingly, Figueira da Foz has not yet attained widespread recognition as a surfing destination, overshadowed by locations such as Peniche.
Nonetheless, this city holds its own among top surfing spots and boasts an expanding community, complete with surf camps and various shops and schools.
Surfing opportunities abound at Praia da Claridade, Cabedelo, and Murtinheira.
However, the prime beach for surfers is located a short distance up the coast at Buarcos, which features the longest right-hand break in Europe on optimal days, along with hollow tubular sections prized by surfers.
13. Parque Aventura Figueira da Foz
A winding road leading ten minutes into the Serra da Boa Viagem from Figueira reveals an adventure course transforming a section of pine forest into a treetop village.
Participants will initially familiarize themselves with the safety equipment through a test course, learning to use the harnesses and karabiners before scaling high above the forest floor: Various challenges feature rope nets, a 90-meter zip line, and intricate bridges suspended by ropes connecting platforms built among the trees in the canopy.
14. Ferry Ride on the Mondego
Until the 1970s, the final stretch of the Mondego River served as a bustling ferry route transporting shipyard laborers and students.
This service was neglected until its recent revival.
The Saramugo ferry allows you to cross the estuary to Cabedelo, ideal for surfing or relaxing on the beach.
The same company also provides excursions upriver, exploring the southern arm and its salt farms, extending as far as Montemor-o-Velho.
15. Cuisine
Figueira da Foz displays a pronounced affinity for fish and seafood—such as cod, sardines, mussels, eels, and even lamprey—complemented by various signature recipes.
Notable dishes to sample at traditional restaurants include Pataniscas de bacalhau, featuring deep-fried cod, enguias de escabeche (fried eels in a wine, vinegar, and garlic sauce), and caldeirada de petinga, a stew incorporating tomato, onions, and baby sardines.
During saints’ days and Christmas, the aroma of broas doces being baked fills the air; however, these pumpkin pastries filled with currants, walnuts, and cinnamon are cherished year-round.
