You’ll hear the name of this central Portugal town a lot because one of the country’s greatest prime ministers lived here. The old centre has an impressive museum dedicated to him in a former prison, while the medieval castle is now a visitor center.
A few minutes away is a waterpark that’s a lifesaver in summer, and a hillside with a monastery reflecting unique Manuelien and Late Flamboyant Gothic architecture. The cloisters contain an exquisite mannerist altarpiece.
1. Visit the Monastery of St Clare
The Monastery of St Clare is a medieval monastery in the city of Coimbra. It was built in the 14th century by Mor Dias and was originally a Franciscan Monastery for Poor Clare nuns. The monastery was abandoned in the 17th century and the ruins are now open to the public. Many of the monastery’s pieces of art have now been moved to the Machado de Castro Museum in Coimbra. Some of these include a painted triptych of the life of Saint Clare of Assisi.
2. Visit the Waterpark
A water park is a great place to visit when you are traveling with kids. There are a number of rides that will ensure that your children have fun and enjoy their holiday. Some of these rides include fast slides, spiralling slides (the snail), toboggans and much more.
The Vaga Splash is a water park in Vagos, Aveiro that offers plenty of splashy fun for visitors of all ages. It also has some large communal pools that can be used for relaxing and swimming.
This water park is a full day attraction and has several shows. You can catch performances by sea lions, seals, tropical birds and aerobatic divers here. Make sure to carry swimsuits as it is a must-visit destination for the whole family.
3. Visit the Museum of the 1st Marquis of Pombal
The Museum of the 1st Marquis of Pombal is a must-visit on any trip to Lisbon. The Marquis of Pombal was an influential Portuguese statesman and politician who became prime minister in 1750 and ruled until 1777. His reforms were wide-ranging and affected every aspect of the economy. He established laws to define wine quality, reformed the education system, rationalized taxation and tried to set up a manufacturing base in Portugal.
He also rebuilt the city of Lisbon after a devastating earthquake in 1755, introducing the pombaline style of architecture. A central public square and busy metro station bear his name. Sebasti
4. Visit the Castle of Pombal
The Castle of Pombal (Portuguese: Castelo de Pombal) is a medieval castle in the municipality of Pombal, Leiria district, Portugal. The castle is located at an elevation of about 330 m above sea level, in a rural area on the outskirts of the town. It has both Roman and Moorish antecedents, and was reconstructed during the reign of King Manuel I. It was designed to protect the capital, then at Coimbra. Originally, it had ten turrets, and the two main gates were protected by barbicans.
Located in Freiria, within 22 km of Our Lady of Fatima Basilica and 23 km of Dr. Magalhaes Pessoa Stadium, Suites do Doutor provides accommodation with free WiFi and a terrace. It is situated in a rural location and features mountain views. The holiday home comes with a seating area, satellite flat-screen TV and a fully equipped kitchen that is fitted with an oven, a microwave and a fridge.
5. Visit the Theatre of Pombal
The Theatre of Pombal is a popular venue for exhibitions, plays and concerts. It was built in the Art Deco style and has been refitted for modern events and safety codes.
The church is also a fine example of the transition between the Mannerist and Baroque styles in Portugal. Its impressive facade is a sight to behold but it is the interior that really impresses.
There are many places in Lisbon that have an interesting historical context you would not expect and the square that connects some of the major arteries of the city is one of them. Whether you walk through it or go by metro (Marques de Pombal Station on the Linha Azul and Linha Amarela lines) or other means, it is worth seeing.
