Touring the Schist Villages near Coimbra
If you're staying in Coimbra there are many half-day and full-day tours that you can do, and I strongly suggest taking a stroll around the Schist Villages of Lousã Mountains. You can get there by driving aprox. 30 minutes, but there are also buses there leaving from Coimbra's city center: but beware, buses may take a while getting there, and then you'll have to walk around all on your own. If you're into guided tours, than that is the best option and there is a tour company with daily tours to the Schist Villages that will do the pick-up and drop-off at your hotel.
These villages were probably built around the 17th century, and have trails connecting them through the woods. You will also find a Medieval Castle, a sanctuary, lots of waterfalls and cozy restaurants in the villages for a typical meal or a snack! Here the silence is incredible, you can hear the bees flying around, the sound of the water far away and the wind blowing.
If you're hiking, you should consider staying in one of the Schist Houses! Most of them were restored by locals and serve now as BnB. Find all the information on the official website of the Tourism of Portugal or on the Schist Villages website "Rota das Aldeias do Xisto".
The most well-known village is the one of Talasnal, but the most artistic one is Cerdeira - Home for creativity. If you're an artist, or are looking forward to participate in workshops, consider this last one for a stop or spend a few days.
There is also a tour company that is specialized on deer sightseeing tours - so if you're not used to see these creatures in the wild, that is a memorable experience to include in your travel bucket list!
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