Beiras

Beira, between Douro and Tejo

Land of Gastronomy, Olive Oil and Wines

The former province of Beira (or Beiras or even, currently, Região Centro) is a region of Center of Portugal, sub-divided in turn into Beira Alta, Beira Baixa, Beira Litoral and Beira Interior (read more below). also reached understand Beira Transmontana (or Trasmontana, also known as Beira Serra).

Land of good cuisine and good wines.

Silver Coast

Silver Coast:

• beautiful beaches with all the infrastructure (hotels, bars, restaurants, parking);

• beautiful waves to practice your favorite water sport: surfing, windsurfing, bodyboarding...
• lively nightlife and with many options to make your vacation unforgettable.

Main Cities of Beira

Among the most important cities in Beiras, the following stand out:

• Viseu: one of the best cities in Portugal for if live

• Coimbra: traditional university center with world recognition

• Figueira da Foz: the Queen das Praias, considered one of the most popular beaches of the Portuguese summer

• Covilhã: the city is located in the District of White Castle

• Castelo Branco: pleasant city to live and work; typical embroidery and gastronomy (wines).

• Guarda: the highest city in Portugal (at 1,056 m of altitude)

Beira Alta

Located in the north-northeast of Beiras, it was created in 1832, after the dismemberment of the province of Beira. It comprised the districts of Viseu, Lamego and Trancoso. The city of Viseu, capital of Beira Alta, with around 100,000 inhabitants, it is the second largest city in the region. Currently, some municipalities are part of the Northern Region, such as Moimenta da Beira, Penedono, Sernancelhe and Tarouca (which form part of the Douro sub-region). The others are part of Center Region. Beira Alta is the Land of the Mountain Apple.

Beira Baixa

Located southeast of Beiras, it was created in 1832, after the break-up of the province of Beira. Currently, it comprises the district of Castelo Branco. Today, Beira Baixa is part of the Central Region. The city of Castelo Branco, capital of Beira Baixa, has about 34,000 population.

Beira Interior

Beira Interior corresponds to the easternmost part of the Beiras, bordering Spain. The city of Covilhã is the most important urban agglomeration in Beira Interior. Gateway to Serra da Estrela, Covilhã is very popular for holidays and winter sports in Portugal. In Beira Interior is located the main land border of Portugal with the Spain, in Vilar Formoso.

Beira Litoral

Located to the west of Beiras, it was created in 1936, with territory that came largely from the extinct province of Douro. occupy the coastal strip of Beiras and comprises 38 municipalities, spread over the districts of Aveiro, Coimbra, half of the district of Leiria and the municipality of Vila Nova de Ourém, in the district of Santarém. Currently, it is part of the Center Region, except the municipalities of Oliveira de Azeméis, São João da Madeira and Vale de Cambra (which belong to the North Region, sub-region of Entre Douro e Vouga)



The city of Coimbra, capital of Beira Litoral and of the Central Region, has about 144,000 inhabitants, being therefore the metropolis of the region. Coimbra, a great university center, is among the most important cities in Portugal.

Beira Transmontana

Located northeast of Beiras, Beira Transmontana (or Beira Serra, as it is also known) is a historical Portuguese region that comprises the entire the district of Guarda, minus the municipality of Vila Nova de Foz Côa (which belongs to Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro).

Star Mountain

In the lands of Beira Alta, the great highlight is the Serra da Estrela, which reaches an altitude of 2000 m (Tower peak), with its landscapes of rare beauty, covered with snow during most of the year and, above all, in its harsh winter. This saw is famous for its cheese - increasingly rare, unfortunately - the Serra da Estrela cheese.

Beira Plateau

Its geography is characterized by being a plateau surrounded by mountains (Cordillera Central) and crossed, to the southwest, by the River Mondego. pine trees and ubiquitous eucalyptus trees, in addition to oaks, cover the spaces that agriculture disputes, with apple trees - Beira Alta is the Apple Land - and vine growing on the terraces of northern region.

Cova da Beira

The Cova da Beira borders the Province of Salamanca to the east.
To the north, with Alto Douro and Trás-os-Montes, to the northwest with Douro Litoral, to the west/southwest with Beira Litoral and to the south with Beira Baixa.

Traditional cuisine and gastronomy in the Beiras

The Beira cuisine is one of the strengths of this diverse land, rich in flavors: meat (goat, lamb) and game, in addition to fish. participate in the elaboration of the greatest gastronomic specialties of the Beiras. From the most traditional dishes to the care of the gastronomy of the new chefs. Find out more: Beiras Gastronomy

Wines from the terroirs of Beiras

The wine production in the Beiras Region is varied and of great quality. Its terroirs produce diverse wines, from the DOC Douro and Porto to the Wines of Bairrada, passing through the Wines of Dão. They are typical reds, whites, rosés and sparkling wines. that accompany the delights of the local cuisine.
Find out more: Beira Wines

Olive Oils

Finally, to complete the range of products related to gastronomy, olive oils also have a great reputation with consumers and connoisseurs of good food.

Sweets and desserts

The sweets from Beiras, whose recipes for centuries were well kept in convents, closes the regional menu with typical sweets and desserts whose fame goes beyond the limits of this important region of Portugal.