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SERRA DA BOA VIAGEM
In the imposing Serra da Boa Viagem, besides the rich biodiversity, the reigning peace and quiet, one can appreciate stunning landscapes stretching as far as the eye can see, to the north and south, or towards the vast blue ocean to the west. At the top and on the slopes, we find the leafy Parque Florestal da Boa Viagem, a protected area of around 400 hectares, full of wonderful nooks and trails, ideal for hiking, cycling, contemplation, or refreshing picnics.
The magnificent Miradouro da Bandeira, besides being a pleasant space for rest and snacks, offers a unique panoramic view over the northern slope of the mountain range, the Atlantic Ocean, and the vast Gândara plain, with the view extending as far as Praia de Mira, or even further north on clear days.
At the tip of the Serra that plunges into the Atlantic, between the beaches of Quiaios and Figueira da Foz, we find the Cabo Mondego, a classified and protected natural monument since 2007, with enormous geological and paleontological value, featuring its important Jurassic references. Besides the Farol do Cabo Mondego, several wild beaches and rugged areas, where sport fishermen venture, it also presents relevant mining heritage, since for centuries underground coal mines and open-pit hydraulic lime quarries operated here, which consumed a large part of the original landscape of the Cape. We advise, of course, taking the road that runs along the Cape by the coast, passing by the Lighthouse and the brand-new panoramic road that connects to Murtinheira, perhaps the most beautiful route in the municipality, especially in the late afternoon (not advisable for pedestrians).
CASINO FIGUEIRA
It is also known for its constant schedule of shows, ranging from live music concerts to theme parties, resident shows, and corporate events. With an experienced and dedicated team, this space is ideal for a lively end to the evening or a night of fun with friends.
Furthermore, it has a gourmet restaurant, the excellent Páteo do Casino, and a bar, where it is possible to enjoy a wide variety of dishes and drinks, an innovative tribute to traditional Portuguese gastronomy, in an elegant and comfortable atmosphere.
ABADIAS PARK
The lungs of the city. This vast green space that “tears” the urban area in two is crossed by a stream that originates in the Serra da Boa Viagem and keeps this extensive valley cooler and more humid in the hottest months. Equipped with leisure and sports facilities – power station at the north end, basketball and football courts, running and cycling trails or maintenance equipment – “the Abadias"as the locals call it, it is an excellent space for families, also providing a good playground and plenty of shade for urban picnics or simply to walk. Central location, surrounded by lots of shops and services.
Here we still find some of the most relevant cultural spaces in the municipality, such as https://www.cm-figfoz.pt/pages/812 and the Santos Rocha Museum or the Arts and Entertainment Center, both award-winning pieces of architecture with a dynamic calendar of events for all ages.
Despite being mainly a large lawn, the park has a remarkable collection of native Portuguese trees, some of them monumental, such as the Alder, the Black Poplar, the White Poplar, the Willow, the Lime, the Holm Oak, the Oak, the Ash, the Maple, the Tipuana, the Pyrenean Oak, the Chestnut and the Stone Pine. More recently, it has benefited from some areas designated as “pollinator gardens”, protected from the usual cuts, where more exuberant wild vegetation grows.
MUNICIPAL MARKET ENGINEER SILVA
The MUNICIPAL MARKET ENGINEER SILVA It is a historic place of great importance to the local community. The strong point is fish, but it offers a wide variety of fresh produce, flowers, clothes, wines, cheeses, butcher's and much more, in addition to establishing itself as a meeting point for the community, as here you can also find a Loja do Cidadão counter, the Figueira da Foz Senior University and a co-working space.
On weekends, mornings are busier and more vibrant, with stalls full of colors, smells and fresh flavors. But more than about products, the market is about people: local traders who have worked here, some for generations, are always willing to share their stories and the characteristics of their products with vivacity, offering a true immersion in the local culture and making this an absolutely essential space on the list of places to visit in Figueira da Foz, especially if you enjoy genuine experiences.
FIGUEIRA DA FOZ ARTS AND SHOWS CENTER (CAE)
The Centro de Artes e Espectáculos da Figueira da Foz It is one of the most emblematic cultural infrastructures in the central region. Designed by architect Luís Marçal Grilo and opened in 2002, this multifaceted space has the mission of promoting diversity and artistic excellence, hosting theater, music, dance, cinema and exhibitions. With bold and functional architecture and a large, cozy atrium/garden with sculptures and open to the public, the CAE also has a large performance hall for 800 people, an auditorium with independent cinema every Friday, several exhibition and rehearsal rooms, as well as a bookstore, Bruaá Space, specializing in children's and young adult literature, as well as a high-quality restaurant overlooking the Parque das Abadias, the Olaias, awarded again in 2025 with the Bib Gourmand distinction from the Michelin Guide.
It also has an arts school and a vast and constant program of cultural activities and exhibitions for all audiences and ages, contributing to the cultural enrichment of the region. In the back, you will find a beautiful and protected open-air amphitheater, a refuge surrounded by imposing trees that invite you to spend quieter moments, close to but far from the hustle and bustle of the city, which many people simply enjoy reading.
MUSEUM MUNICIPAL SANTOS ROCHA
Located in the Abadias Park, in an iconic building designed by Isaías Cardoso, the Museu Municipal da Figueira da Foz It presents several varied and extremely interesting collections, which include everything from Renaissance sculptures to Indo-Portuguese furniture, ancient weapons and weapons from the First World War or an ethnographic collection of African, Brazilian and Oriental origin, also highlighting a permanent exhibition of archaeology, especially prehistoric, which portrays above all the dedicated work of one of the fathers of national archaeology, António dos Santos Rocha, its founder and first director. The Museum is an excellent option for those looking to learn a little more about the history and culture of the region, and not just the cultural aspect of the region. In the back, you will find a beautiful and protected open-air amphitheater, a refuge surrounded by imposing trees that invite you to spend quieter moments, close to but far from the hustle and bustle of the city, which many people simply enjoy reading.
MONASTERY SANTA MARIA DE SEIÇA
The current “crown jewel” of the historical and architectural heritage of the interior of the municipality, the Mosteiro de Seiça, in the parish of Paião, is an impressive example of a medieval Portuguese monastic complex, in the context of the monasteries of the Cistercian religious order, which were fundamental in the foundation of the nationality and in the exploration of the Portuguese territory after the Reconquista – the monastery is referred to in documents from 1162.
Like Alcobaça or Lorvão, the Monastery of Seiça is the guardian of this Cistercian memory, having been completely rehabilitated in 2023 by the Municipality, once again revealing part of its splendor. Surrounded by agricultural fields and forest, this grand National Monument is one of the obligatory stopping points on the great Eurovelo route of the Atlantic Coast.
The Monastery underwent major remodeling work, having been recently opened. Visits from Wednesday to Sunday, from 2pm to 6pm. See the entry values here
CASA DO PAÇO
Headquarters of the Parish of Figueira da Foz, it is one of the main Catholic temples in the municipality and has a history of almost a thousand years, going back to the roots of the city's history. The primitive church of Figueira da Foz, built or rebuilt by Abbot Pedro in 1080, was at the origin of the town, then called S. Julião da Foz do Mondego. With nothing left of the original foundation, the current church, listed as a property of public interest since 2012, is an 18th century reconstruction with several subsequent interventions. Inside, with a single nave, there is a side chapel with a stone altarpiece from the 16th century. XVI, from the Monastery of Seiça, as well as paintings from 1784 and sculptures from the 16th and 18th centuries. In an excellent state of conservation, it maintains full liturgical activity and is undoubtedly worth a lengthy visit.
CASA DO PAÇO
One of the most striking buildings on the city's waterfront, the Casa do Paço It is also one of those with the richest history, with different “lives” and functions since it was built in the 17th century. It began as a summer residence for the Bishop-Count of Coimbra, D. João de Melo, and remained the property of the Melo family until the beginning of the 19th century. Since then, it has had several owners and uses, including as the first Municipal Museum, as a theater and as the protocol visiting room of the Figueira da Foz.
But what makes it truly distinctive is its collection of Dutch tiles from the early 18th century, with around 6,700 Delft tiles, each one an individual work, unique in the world and definitely worth a close visit, especially for lovers of this beautiful decorative art. The tiles and the rooms that can be visited are on the so-called “noble floor”, with an entrance through a beautiful garden on the opposite side of the river. It also now houses, in the side wings, the Associação Comercial e Industrial da Figueira da Foz, and on the ground floor, shops and services.
FORTE DE SANTA CATARINA
A real one icon of the Figueira coastal landscape, this imposing coastal fortification protected the bar and the bay from Figueira da Foz for centuries, whether in its function as a lighthouse (between 1988 and 1991), or in its military function, having played a particular role in the Napoleonic Invasions, as attested by the inscription that can be read at the entrance.
The Fort was built between the 16th and 17th centuries and has seen several battles, but it has long been a privileged place of peace and leisure, and in recent years it has benefited from significant rehabilitation and requalification actions, especially the surrounding area, with pleasant squares and water mirrors.
Inside, in addition to the small Chapel of Santa Catarina, there is a bar-restaurant, famous for its craft beer and delicious burgers, which guarantees entertainment and full public enjoyment of this listed heritage site of Figueira da Foz, with so many stories to tell. At the top, with a terrace, you can enjoy magnificent views and wonderful sunsets.
FORTALEZA DE BUARCOS
Coastal fortification, which for centuries protected the village of Buarcos, until the 19th century the main population center of this coastal area. Composed of 3 bastions, joined by 2 sections of wall, the Fortress has heritage protection status and offers an excellent visiting experience, with panoramic views of the city and the ocean. Despite having been significantly altered and reduced over the years, due to its loss of military usefulness, what remains of the walls is reasonably well preserved and is also well worth a visit and a walk along the battlements overlooking the sea.
SAL MUSEUM CENTER
Opened in 2007, the Núcleo Museológico do Sal na Figueira da Foz, in the Lavos Warehouses, celebrates the centuries-old relationship between the local population and the salt marinas of the estuary of Mondego river. This educational and informative space, a true eco-museum, has the mission of preserving and valuing the tradition of artisanal salt and the ecosystem of the salt flats, as well as promoting the sustainable development of the entire area, as a tourist hub in the south of the municipality.
The entire area surrounding the museum complex provides unique experiences and the exhibition area explores five themes: definition of salt, salt in nature, history of salt in Portugal, salt technology in Figueira da Foz and nature preservation. It is also the starting and finishing point of the Rota das Salinas da Figueira da Foz, a low-difficulty tour through a territory rich in natural diversity, ideal for contemplation and bird watching.
The Nucleus benefited from deep rehabilitation works during 2024, now being part of the national Quintas Ciência Viva network.
PALÁCIO SOTTO MAYOR
This luxurious French-style palace from the early 20th century is considered the most imposing and elegant residential building in the city. Surrounded by large, well-kept gardens, its interior decoration was created with the help of the best artists of the time, featuring an extraordinary collection of furniture, paintings and decorative arts.
The building is now owned by the company that owns the Casino Figueira and opens its doors to guided tours (driven by Pó de Saber) of great historical and architectural interest:
- Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Tickets cost 5 Euros per person, free for children up to 12 years old (inclusive). Reservations must be made in advance by email podesaber.patrimonio@gmail.com or by calling +351 964 460 709.
ISLAND MORRACEIRA
Morraceira Island is one of the most beautiful treasures of Figueira da Foz. It offers a unique experience for those who want to learn about artisanal salt production, the flora and fauna of the Mondego estuary, as well as aquaculture.
The company TimeOff, for example, organizes guided tours of the island, which are worth every kilometer traveled. With narrow but safe trails, visitors can enjoy the ecological beauty of the island while learning about salt production and other local products such as seaweed, salicornia and oysters.
The island is also famous for its flamingos and herons, which delight visitors with their colorful elegance, often in large flocks that provide fantastic photo opportunities.
LAGOA DA VELA
The largest of Quiaios Lagoons and Bom-Sucesso and one of the largest natural lagoons in the Iberian Peninsula. It is not recommended for swimming, but it is an unrivalled spot in terms of nature tourism, with enormous biodiversity, a refreshing forest setting and picnic facilities, walkways and bird watching.
This is MeetFigueira's careful selection of restaurants in the municipality of Figueira da Foz, where you certainly won't leave disappointed.
