Central Region, Portugal

The cities with major administrative status inside this region are Coimbra, Aveiro, Viseu, Leiria, Castelo Branco and Guarda.On that border, the more than one dozen fortified frontier villages beckon today's visitors to come explore a 900-year history — full of the heroism, epic battles and romance upon which Portugal struggled to become a nation.In the town of Castelo Rodrigo, a memorial stone marks the place of a fierce battle in 1664, and visitors can view the remains of the castle and its keep, as well as a palace.Several river valleys at the foot of the mountains have a full bodied charm that draw one to outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, tennis and canoeing.Natural landmarks in this region are the Serra da Estrela mountain range (the biggest and highest in mainland Portugal), with its Serra da Estrela Natural Park, the Mondego river (the longest river located exclusively in Portuguese territory), the Aveiro Lagoon (Ria de Aveiro) and the coastal beaches.The largest urban centres include Coimbra,Aveiro, Viseu, Leiria, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Figueira da Foz, Guarda, Pombal and Águeda.The major industrial, commerce, and service centres are located in and around Coimbra, Aveiro, Viseu, Leiria, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, and Figueira da Foz.In addition, there are a large number of public nursing schools and private higher education institutions across the region.
The ancient ruins at Conímbriga , the best preserved ruins in the ancient Roman province of Lusitania .
Monsanto , known as "the most Portuguese village of Portugal".
Sortelha , Sabugal municipality, the historic town nestled within the rugged hills.
The Sanctuary of Fátima is located in the Central Region of Portugal.
Subregion map of the Central Region
MonsantoSerra da EstrelaGuardaLeiriaAveiroCastelo BrancoCoimbraPortuguesePortugalCentralBeirasTime zonestatistical regionsRegions of PortugalEuropean UniongeographicalConímbrigaLusitaniaLusitaniansIndo-European peopleIberian PeninsulaRomansLusitâniafall of the Western Roman EmpireVisigothsMuslim conquest of IberiaReconquistacrusadersChristianCounty of CoimbraCondado PortucalensisBeira ProvincePortuguese thronePrinces of BeiraEstremaduraMédio TejoRibatejoOeste e Vale do Tejo regionfortressescastlesChristiansSpaniardsvillagesEuropeSabugalAlmeidaGothic churchCastles in Portugalnational monumentsVilar MaiorCastelo BomSanctuary of FátimachestnutFigueira da FozÍlhavomainland PortugalSerra da Estrela Natural ParkMondego riverAveiro LagoonCovilhãPombalÁguedaBeira BaixaBeiras e Serra da EstrelaRegião de AveiroRegião de CoimbraRegião de LeiriaViseu Dão LafõesGross domestic productLisbon metropolitan areaPorto Metropolitan Areamotor vehicleselectrical appliancesmachinerychemicalsHigher educationresearch and developmenthealthcareinformation technologiesbiotechnologyforestryagriculturefishingtourismDão DOCBairrada DOCpublic universitiesUniversity of CoimbraAveiro UniversityUniversity of Beira InteriorpolytechnicalCastelo Branco Polytechnical InstituteCoimbra Polytechnical InstituteLeiria Polytechnical InstituteViseu Polytechnical Institutenursing schoolsprivate higher educationProvinces of PortugalRegional divisionsNorth RegionAlto MinhoAlto TâmegaCávadoTâmega e SousaTerras de Trás-os-MontesCentro RegionLezíria do TejoGreater LisbonLisbonSetúbal PeninsulaAlentejo RegionAlentejo CentralAlentejo LitoralAlto AlentejoBaixo AlentejoAlgarve RegionAlgarveAutonomous RegionsAzoresMadeiramunicipalitiesparishes