Sobral de São Miguel

Sobral de São Miguel, Castelo Branco, Portugal

They're called "schist villages" as this is the stone used in the construction of houses and the most abundant type in the region. These 27 villages are spread across the Serra da Lousã and Açor, close to Serra da Estrela. Each village has its own identity and is in itself a destination not to be missed, offering all year-round several kind of experiences. Come and learn something new, or simply “re-learn” an art most people have forgotten and get lost on these amazing Schist villages.

R. Budas

You can discover the "Schist paths ", on the bike trails defined by the Mountain Bike Centres according to various levels of difficulty, and which also provide support to bikers.

Portugal

Portugal

Discover the natural wonders of this land; explore mountains and rocks, caves and waterfalls, rivers, dams and river beaches, fauna and flora in ideal scenery for all type of open air sports.

Sobreira Formosa, Castelo Branco

In the morning, the smell of freshly baked bread in a wood-fired is common in the Schist Villages. If you like, you can also have a workshop of bread making and then try it😋

16 R. do Paraíso
Janeiro de Cima, Castelo Branco

In the Schist villages you can have several tourist experiences, and learn and discover, in family or by yourself, workshops in weaving, woodworking, initiation to pottery, ceramics and design, or more scientific activities, such as the identification of local flora and fauna, or even those that relate to the villages’ local offerings, can learn how to make traditional goats’ cheese or bread baked in wood ovens. To organise your trip better, take a look at the offers of activities the Schist Villages have for you on their website 😉

Piódão, Coimbra District

In these region, the river beaches are the ideal solution for those who are looking for places to cool off and that, at the same time, offer peace and tranquillity in a setting surrounded by forest green. Along the course of the rivers, between valleys and mountains, there are small paradises, hideaways with natural dams and small waterfalls, where you can enjoy the natural shade of the trees and spread out your towel in the grassy areas, relax and sunbathe. The quality of the water, infrastructure, support services, municipal transport and entertainment improves every year. The proof is that this selected set of beaches is awarded the certifications such as the Blue Flag Beach, the Gold Medal of Quercus or the classification of Accessible Beach every year.

Janeiro de Cima, Castelo Branco District

Made by the hands of ancient knowledge, the recipes of the Aldeias do Xisto are served seasoned with the genuine flavour of tradition. Whether it's bread, crumbs or açordas, soups, broths or porridge, various fish or meats, the traditional sausages or the various and appetising cakes and sweets, the gastronomic heritage of the Aldeias do Xisto is yet another incentive to discover this territory.

Lousã, Coimbra District

To organise your trip better, take a look at the offers of activities and accommodation that the Schist Villages have for you at their website