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6 PLACES TO VISIT IN LEIRIA

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They say to visit Leiria is to see a river that runs up, a tower that doesn’t have a church, a church that has no tower and a Straight Street that is not. At least curious, I would say. But the popular rhyme is correct and these and other curiosities make this Portuguese city worthy of a visit.

The center is not big, so in one morning you can walk through the main points of interest. From the castle to the city museum, prepare your shoes and follow this script. 😉

  1. Leiria’s Castle

Let’s start with one of the main monuments of the city. On top of the hill, the Castle is a fantastic example of romantic military architecture. Built by king D. Afonso Henriques, it was considered a national monument at the beginning of the 20th century and today it keeps among its walls tales of the importance that the city had for the History of Portugal.

You will have to pay a ticket, but it will be worth as you’ll be able to visit the Royal Palace, the Church of Santa Maria da Pena and the Tower.

Visit Leiria

  1. Leiria’s Cathedral

Descending from the castle you will find the Cathedral. The building was built in the 19th century, but what you can visit today is already a reconstruction. After all, it has passed through the 1755 earthquake and the French invasions.

visit leiria cathedral

  1. House of Eça de Queiroz

Few know (at least, I didn’t) that Eça de Queiroz was an administrator of the municipality of Leiria.

The writer’s house is still in the same place, marked by a commemorative plaque. Unfortunately, it can’t be visited, because it’s in a very degraded state. A pity, given the importance of Eça for the Portuguese culture.

But you can always walk around the city looking for other signs of the author’s passage through that place.

visit leiria eça

  1. Rodrigues Lobo Square

It’s the main town square and around it, there are several cafes where you can pass the time.

Right next door I found a facade of a building with wonderful paintings. And there are other little places to discover when you visit Leiria. 😉

visit leiria square

  1. Luís de Camões Garden and surroundings

Another landmark of this city is the Luís de Camões Garden. Extending along the Lis River, it’s the starting point to discover other places of interest around it, such as the Banco de Portugal building, the Sant’Ana market, the fountain or the Church of the Holy Spirit.

visit leiria garden

  1. Museum of Leiria

Last stop before we left: the Museum of Leiria. With the entrance right next to the Convent of St. Augustine, it holds collections that tell the history of the city.

The ticket costs € 5 but entitles you to a visit to the Paper Mill, a few meters away.

visit leiria museum

And after visit Leiria…

Stay in one of the several hotels in the city. See all available accommodations below.

Surfer Girl has a partnership with Booking.com. If you book accommodation through one of the blog links you will be helping me maintain the blog and you will not pay more for it!


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Follow me in a walk around leiria

Marlene On The Move

Marlene Marques

Marlene is the creator of Marlene On The Move. A journalist by profession, she created the blog to share her adventures around the world. It is not unusual for her to set off to discover new countries and cultures with a surfboard as luggage.

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