Why move to Leiria District
In striking distance of Lisbon and Porto, Leiria is perfect for anyone who loves the Atlantic coast and wants to remain close to the major centres of Portuguese life.
This district is best known for the popular coastal resorts, with its many pretty fishing villages and miles of sandy beaches. Besides the sea, Leiria is also home to some of Portugal’s finest monasteries, classic whitewashed villages and medieval fortresses like Leiria city. The district’s capital is a great mix of old and new, with a castle surrounded by old streets that work their way outwards into the surrounding suburbs where more modern properties can be found.
To the west is the Pinhal de Leiria, a pine forest running along one of the very best stretches of coastline in Portugal. It suffered devastating wildfires a few years ago and has now been replanted, but you can still explore the area using the bike lanes or pathways. Beyond are sand dunes of breathtaking white sands and the relaxed resort of Sao Pedro de Moel.
Head south to Nazare, a pretty fishing village turned popular resort serving local fishermen, surfers and sun-seekers alike. It quietens down out of season, but is absolutely worth investigating particularly at New Year when the beach plays host to one of the biggest parties in the country.
At Leiria’s southerly end you will find the Peniche peninsula, a small town enclosed by 16th century defensive walls. It’s the sea that really captivates though, with views of the Fortaleza, or fortress used as recently as the 1970s. Regular ferries take you further out to the Berlengas Islands, a rocky archipelago of nature reserves located seven miles from the mainland where you can explore reefs and marine grottoes.
Also close to the coast are near neighbours Obidos and Caldas da Rainha, both fine examples of traditional Leiria towns. Obidos perches on a hill, its castle offering fine views over the sea of red tiled rooftops below. Caldas on the other hand revolves around the hot springs of the saltwater lagoon to the west. Visit on market day to find the very best of the locally produced ceramics and mouth watering fruit of the district.
Travel inland to Porto de Mos, a former Moorish fort rebuilt to include a fairytale style castle, it’s a great place to enjoy the region’s baroque architecture. A little way south you’ll be able to get lost in the 390 square miles of the Parque Natural das Serras de Aire e Candeeiros, set amid a limestone landscape that hides an incredible network of underground caverns, tunnels and lakes.
Leiria is a great base in which to settle with its capital positioned almost exactly halfway between Lisbon and Porto. Trains connect the major towns in the region along with a decent bus service, but if you are looking off the beaten track a car is probably essential.