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 "Beiras" is the traditional name of a region running south of Douro river and north of Tagus river. The region is one of deep contrasts: the Atlantic coastline, where a temperate climate, white sandy beaches and the Atlantic pine forests are typical, and the interior where more forbidding mountains and rocks set the tone.
In the heart of this hinterland rises the Serra da Estrela (Estrela Mountain Range), the highest in continental Portugal. This is where the Mondego river rises, later running down to the city of Coimbra. Here, the river that over the centuries has had so many odes composed to it by generations of university students, flows out into the Atlantic ocean by the lengthy Figueira da Foz beach.
 Nature has blessed this region with healing waters that in turn gave rise to spa towns, such as Curia and Luso. Nature's generosity extended to the landscape too: ancient forests cover the mountain slopes helping to preserve intact the treasures of an outstanding natural area, which has its most perfect paradigm in the Buçaco woodlands. Monasteries, convents, castles and churches are witnesses to an artistic and historical heritage whose merits and heritage value have been recognised worldwide by Unesco, including such gems as the Alcobaça and Batalha monasteries.
Amongst the spacious horizons of this inland region are historic towns and villages, many of them are guarded by castles built by the early kings of Portugal for the kingdom's defence.
 In the bigger towns, such as Coimbra, Aveiro, Viseu, Guarda or Castelo Branco, museum collections reveal treasures of unexpected quality. As for traditional arts and crafts, the coastal region has always been rich in glassworking and ceramic skills, while inland artisans have traditionally worked with black clay, linen weaving, and copper and iron smithing.
 Oliveira do Hospital
Coimbra
Figueira da Foz
Serra de Estrella
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