Location: Penela
Top Things to do in Penela
Top 10 Things to do in Penela, Portugal
Penela (Portuguese pronunciation: [pɨˈnɛlɐ]) is a municipality located in Coimbra District, in Portugal. It contains the town of Penela. The town's main tourist attraction is the Penela Castle. The population in 2011 was 5,983, in an area of 134.80 km².
Restaurants in Penela
1. Castelo de Penela
Overall Ratings
4 based on 153 reviews
Reviewed By GrumpsDC - Cheltenham, United Kingdom
This is the main (perhaps only?) attraction of this small town, with huge historical significance and affording some pretty good views. It has been restored pretty well, although there are just a few signs of some recent neglect (economic pressures possibly?).
I'm personally not quite sure whether the metallic animal sculptures add much, but ...
2. Fraga da Pena Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By João Pedro C
Compulsory visit on the way to or from PIÓDÃO - an historic village that deserves a visit. There is a small water mill just on the side of the way.
3. Parque Biologico da Serra da Lousa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 174 reviews
Reviewed By PEDRO E - Leiria, Portugal
What a brilliant work is this people doing. The work with the community, with animals, with the forest. Fantastic. Congratulations.
We all should visit this place once in a year because their work is priceless.
We loved the quiet place, even in August, the importance of showing the portuguese land animals, the importance of showing the local farm to the city kids.
The most important, the work being made by the less fortunate of this life. God bless you all.
4. Museu Monografico de Conimbriga
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 515 reviews
Reviewed By BKandCB - Santa Fe, NM
We stopped to see these extensive Roman ruins while in the area, and I would suggest allowing at least 2 hours to really explore the area and museum......the latter contains objects that were found during the excavation as well as historical information regarding the ruins themselves. As for the site, the mosaic floors are in excellent condition and a beautiful example of the craftsmanship involved in their designs. Be sure not to miss the water Gardens being preserved under cover, and as others have mentioned, take water and wear good walking shoes as well as a hat. I neglected to ask if the dig was still active, but it appeared that much work was still needed to complete the project......
5. Aldeia de Gondramaz
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By Daniela R - Coimbra, Portugal
Hidden between mountain slopes of leafy vegetation and river Beaches with crystal clear water the schist villages are a great opportunity to spend moments of relaxation. The people are very hospitable and always have the time to welcome visitors and share their stories and traditions. In between, you can always try some gastronomic delights (made from recipes passed down from generation to generation) such as in the restaurant "Pátio do Xisto". If you decide to discover the surrounded forest by foot - Schist paths - you can encounter wild foxes or beautiful Waterfalls. It's not very far from the big cities and the mountain roads are in good condition.
6. Aldeia do Talasnal
7. Sao Simao Crags
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By cris b
Stunning gorge with crystal swimming pools. Well worth the drive, and the walk down the road to get there. Steep but you can do it in flip-flops, though the same can't be said of the 5km walk along the river.
8. Cascata da Pedra da Ferida
Overall Ratings
5 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By Amazon122s - Santa Comba Dao, Portugal
The Waterfall “Cascata da Pedra da Ferida”, is located in the “Serra do Espinhal” near the small town of “Penela”.
The following coordinates: N – 40º 1´ 10 “ - W 8º 19´ 43.46” will bring you at about 200 meters from the lower part off the water fall, were you have a place to park 4 normal cars, this by a dirt road through a forest area but in good shape
The rest of the way you have to walk, the first 200 meters are more than ok, so you arrive on a picnic place with tables where you can enjoy your picnic.
From here to the waterfall you have to walk over a small “NOT FLAT” trail, beware that you have good walking shoes.
We only made it until about 50 meters from the waterfall himself, this due to the conditions of the trail who was far too wet (combination of stones, mud and wet leaves).
This made us decide to abort here our walk for our personal security, we would have done the trail until the end in case we were younger and the trail was in a more dry condition.
Anyhow a very need place to be and to visit, certainly during summer when you can have a nice picnic, make a stopover on the way to the waterfall and this on about 400 meters before to take a nice picture of the “CORK” three who belongs to the “World Patrimonial”.
Other places to visit in the neighbourhood are the ruin of the castle of Penela, and “Conimbriga” when doing the visit on a Sunday, you have free entrance until 14h00 to the geological site of Conimbriga.
9. Ruines de Conimbriga
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By RICK B - BILLINGS
The museum, ticket office and restaurant are all in very nice modern facilities. The cost for seniors is only 2.25 Euros, for both the site and museum. There are good explanations of the homes, multiply baths and general history. You will need comfortable walking shoes as there is approx. a 1/2-1 mile walk to see all the different areas. We saved the Fountain house to the last, it is the one under a cover. We enjoyed our time there and exploring and imagining what it all looked like 2000 years ago. The museum is small, but done very well, with good explanations of most of the artifacts.
10. Praia Fluvial da Senhora de Piedade
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
Reviewed By Daniela R - Coimbra, Portugal
This is a natural pool hidden inside the mountain. The river is really really cold but perfect for those hot summer days. If you're not feeling like swimming you can always take a path close to the river or climb the mountain and see the high views. You can find some facilities such as a restaurant, bathrooms, and a picnic area.
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