The fortifications in Figueira da Foz date back to the year 1000 when it was part of a defense barrier which ran as far inland as Lousã. The lighthouse is part of the Santa Catarina fortress built in the XVIth century. It was heavily attacked and sacked by pirates in the early XVIIth century. It has been classified as a Word Heritage site.
In the XVIIth century, Buarcos coast was constantly being attacked by pirates so its people built long fortifications along the beach which still stand to this day. Buarcos is one of the beaches of Figueira da Foz, an hour's drive from Coimbra. It is a traditional fishing hamlet which has grown into a famous beach resort, and still has many of its local inhabitants working in the fishing industry.
The Cabo do Mondego Beach lies midpoint between the fortress of Buarcos and the Cape Mondego lighthouse, the most western point of Serra da Boa Viagem. It has a long stretch of sand and rock areas at its northern end.
Leirosa is a traditional fishing village located south of Figueira da Foz, separated from Costa de Lavos beach by a sheltered and almost deserted dune. Leirosa beach has a very wide stretch of sand bathed by strong sea waves, with good surfing conditions but also for bathing, since there are no local ground depressions or strong currents.
The Molhe Norte beach is a small and cozy sandy beach in Figueira da Foz. The name comes from the seawall at its end known as “Molhe” which goes into the Mondego River and creates a warm protected area, ideal for families with small children.
Murtinheira beach joins Quiaios beach some 3km away. The beach is also famous for film sets to Portuguese TV series. The Chapel of Senhor dos Aflitos (Lord of the Afflicted) stages every 1st Sunday of October an ancient religious procession which attracts thousands of people.
The Quiaios beach is a long stretch of white sand with the magnificent backcloth of the hillside of Boa Viagem. It is practically deserted during the year but comes to life in the summer. The village dates from the 12th century and it’s steeped in history. It tells the story of Quiaios been given as a present by the mother D. Afonso Henriques to her lover. Both men fought in the battle of S. Mamede and D. Afonso Henriques’ victory ensured Portugal’s independence.
The Clock Tower, is an iconic symbol of Figueira da Foz. It was conceived in the late 40’s, as part of the seawall, and intended to accommodate sound booths for maritime signaling. In the era of the birth of re-inforced concrete, the authors chose to keep to tradition and built it as a steel carcass surrounded by stonemasonry. The Relógio Beach at its feet is the most famous beach in Figueira da Foz and is denominated “Princess of Beaches” with a width of sand of approximately 750 metres.
Cabedelo beach is a good spot for surfing and bodyboarding and because it is on a windy coast it is also chosen for wind and kite surfing. It is next to Cabedelinho beach on the Mondego river mouth and to the camp site. These beaches are part of the Figueira da Foz beaches and from here you have a striking view of the city and of Santa Catarina’s beach fort and lighthouse.
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, The fortifications in Figueira da Foz date back to the year 1000 when it was part of a defense barrier which ran as far inland as Lousã. The lighthouse is part of the Santa Catarina fortress built in the XVIth century. It was heavily attacked and sacked by pirates in the early XVIIth century. It has been classified as a Word Heritage site.
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, In the XVIIth century, Buarcos coast was constantly being attacked by pirates so its people built long fortifications along the beach which still stand to this day. Buarcos is one of the beaches of Figueira da Foz, an hour's drive from Coimbra. It is a traditional fishing hamlet which has grown into a famous beach resort, and still has many of its local inhabitants working in the fishing industry.
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, The Cabo do Mondego Beach lies midpoint between the fortress of Buarcos and the Cape Mondego lighthouse, the most western point of Serra da Boa Viagem. It has a long stretch of sand and rock areas at its northern end.
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, Leirosa is a traditional fishing village located south of Figueira da Foz, separated from Costa de Lavos beach by a sheltered and almost deserted dune. Leirosa beach has a very wide stretch of sand bathed by strong sea waves, with good surfing conditions but also for bathing, since there are no local ground depressions or strong currents.
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, The Molhe Norte beach is a small and cozy sandy beach in Figueira da Foz. The name comes from the seawall at its end known as “Molhe” which goes into the Mondego River and creates a warm protected area, ideal for families with small children.
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, Murtinheira beach joins Quiaios beach some 3km away. The beach is also famous for film sets to Portuguese TV series. The Chapel of Senhor dos Aflitos (Lord of the Afflicted) stages every 1st Sunday of October an ancient religious procession which attracts thousands of people.
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, The Quiaios beach is a long stretch of white sand with the magnificent backcloth of the hillside of Boa Viagem. It is practically deserted during the year but comes to life in the summer. The village dates from the 12th century and it’s steeped in history. It tells the story of Quiaios been given as a present by the mother D. Afonso Henriques to her lover. Both men fought in the battle of S. Mamede and D. Afonso Henriques’ victory ensured Portugal’s independence.
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, The Clock Tower, is an iconic symbol of Figueira da Foz. It was conceived in the late 40’s, as part of the seawall, and intended to accommodate sound booths for maritime signaling. In the era of the birth of re-inforced concrete, the authors chose to keep to tradition and built it as a steel carcass surrounded by stonemasonry. The Relógio Beach at its feet is the most famous beach in Figueira da Foz and is denominated “Princess of Beaches” with a width of sand of approximately 750 metres.
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, Cabedelo beach is a good spot for surfing and bodyboarding and because it is on a windy coast it is also chosen for wind and kite surfing. It is next to Cabedelinho beach on the Mondego river mouth and to the camp site. These beaches are part of the Figueira da Foz beaches and from here you have a striking view of the city and of Santa Catarina’s beach fort and lighthouse.

Figueira da Foz

$7.50
$7.50
Sold out

Figueira da Foz is situated mid-point of the Iberian Peninsula Coast, a very important port at the mouth of the Mondego River. You can still find fishermen’s huts by the beach and observe fish being brought in on nets which can be up to 10 km long.

In the past, nets were pulled in to the beach by oxen, but these days they are mechanically brought in.

Back to Magnets