Explore the central region
The Centro de Portugal region occupies 28,462 km2 and has about 2.2 million inhabitants, constituting approximately 30.6% of the total area of Portugal and 22% of the country’s resident population. It is bordered to the north by the North region, to the east by Spain, to the south by the Alentejo, to the southwest by the Lisbon region and to the west by the Atlantic Ocean.
Its location in the central part of Portugal gives it a strategic position since it is situated between the most important national urban centers: Lisbon and Porto. Its vast territorial coverage makes it the most diverse region in the country, comprising eight sub-regions (NUTS III): Aveiro region, Beira Baixa, Beiras and Serra da Estrela, Coimbra region, Leiria region, Médio Tejo, Oeste region and Viseu Dão Lafões. These eight sub-regions cover a total of 100 municipalities and 972 parishes.
Considering the population dynamics, the region has a low population density and it is characterized by the desertification of the inland areas in contrast to the coastal areas, which are more populated and urbanized (municipalities of Coimbra, Leiria and Aveiro have the largest number of inhabitants). The regional economy is much diversified, with the tertiary sector contributing the most to the regional gross value. The secondary sector also plays a very relevant role in the regional economy and the primary sector contributes the least.
According to the Köppen-Geiger climate classification, the region has predominantly a warm summer Mediterranean climate. The lowest temperatures occur in the mountains in the interior of the region in winter, where they can fall below -10 °C, particularly in the highest peaks of Serra da Estrela. Summers in the Centre Region are mild in the highlands and in the coastal region. Its climate is therefore very attractive to tourism and leisure activities.
The Centro region is very rich in natural and cultural heritage, full of deep contrasts, from the sea on the Atlantic coast to the mountains in the interior and from the large cities to the traditional villages.
The region includes the mountains of the Montejunto-Estrela System, from which Serra da Estrela stands out, with its beautiful landscapes and glacial lakes and the Lousã, Açor and Caramulo Mountains.
Recognized as one of the world’s most esteemed pilgrimage sites, the city of Fátima is one of Portugal’s most popular destinations and therefore one of the most visited places in the Centro region.
The region also has thermal springs that have given recognition to villages such as Curia and Luso, among others; and river or sea beaches (279 km of Atlantic coast), of which Peniche and Nazaré stand out, sought-after worldwide for surfing, with Nazaré having the world’s largest surf wave with 28.5 meters. Moreover, the region is gifted with 17 parks/reserves and protected landscapes, of which the forest of Buçaco stands out, with exceptional natural areas. It presents a very strong cultural heritage with 189 monuments and 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Monasteries of Alcobaça and Batalha, the Convent of Christ in Tomar and the University of Coimbra and 5 cities that were included by UNESCO in the Creative Cities Network.
The region is marked by unique places such as the Historical Villages, medieval castles as well as whitewashed houses in Óbidos and Schist Villages. Also cities, such as Coimbra, known for being the city of students and scholars, Aveiro, between the Ria and the Sea, and Viseu, Guarda and Castelo Branco, where the stone architecture maintains its original features are important parts of Centro’s identity.