Slate Villages Tour of the Serra da Lousã

If you have yet to journey through the secluded landscapes of inland Portugal, the Slate Villages Discovery of the Serra da Lousã presents an ideal adventure.

Tour Overview

We will commence this expedition at the scheduled time with a pickup from the Astoria Hotel in Coimbra, heading towards the breathtaking mountains of Sicó and Lousã. During our drive, you will have the chance to admire remarkable natural caves and explore a selection of charming villages nestled in this scenic area.

The adventure initiates with visits to the slate-constructed hamlets within the Serra da Lousã, where we will delve into the local customs and pastoral life. Following this, we will ascend the mountain heights to relish striking panoramas of limestone formations that have evolved over centuries.

The distinctive villages featured on our itinerary are Cerdeira, Candal, Talasnal, and Casal Novo. In addition, we will take time to appreciate the historical Castle of Arouce and the scenic Nossa Senhora da Piedade Beach, a stunning natural beach located at the base of the hills.

We will then journey through Trevim to reach the renowned Lousã swing, where a delightful lunch awaits, featuring traditional chanfana (goat slowly cooked in a wood-fired oven) along with other dish options.

To wrap up this enriching experience, we will head to Rabaçal, celebrated as the cheese capital, where a delightful tasting of local sheep and goat cheeses, olive oils, bread, and wine will be offered.

This full-day expedition, lasting 8 hours, will culminate with our return to the original meeting point.