Local guide · Penela and beyond
Things to do
around here.
Between the hills, the water and the history, there is always somewhere else to discover. Head out to explore, then return to the calm of Casas Olival e Rio.
Praia Fluvial da Louçainha · Photo: Vitor Oliveira · CC BY-SA 2.0
Four places to start
Close to us.
Away from the everyday.
01
History · Penela
Penela Castle
Wander through the town and discover the medieval castle that shapes its skyline. Combine local heritage, quiet streets and views over the surrounding countryside.
Photo: Vitor Oliveira · CC BY-SA 2.0
02
Nature · Serra do Espinhal
Pedra da Ferida Waterfall
Follow the Ribeira da Azenha towards one of the best-known corners of Serra do Espinhal. Visiting the waterfall involves walking; choose a route suited to your fitness and experience.
03
Water · Louçainha
Louçainha River Beach
The pools of the Ribeira da Azenha and the green hills invite an unhurried day outdoors. Bring a picnic and check access and bathing-season conditions before you visit.
Photo: Vitor Oliveira · CC BY-SA 2.0
04
Heritage · Rabaçal
Roman Villa of Rabaçal
Discover the region’s Roman past and the mosaics of the ancient villa. Visits to the archaeological site require advance booking and the accompaniment of a museum guide.
Photo: Carole Raddato · CC BY-SA 2.0
The hills, one step at a time
Choose your own path.
For keen walkers, the PNL2 route connects Pedra da Ferida with Louçainha along the Ribeira da Azenha. The municipality rates this 6.2 km route as demanding and unsuitable for families with young children.
Check the route, difficulty and local conditions before setting off. For a shorter stroll, ask us for ideas for your days in Penela.
Days at your pace
Two ideas to begin with.
A day of town and history
Start at Penela Castle, pause for lunch in the town and spend the afternoon in Rabaçal, with a visit to the Roman villa booked in advance.
A day beside the water
Choose a walk around Pedra da Ferida suited to your fitness and experience. Then slow down beside the pools at Louçainha and enjoy the scenery.
Around the table
Flavours worth remembering.
These suggestions come from the hosts’ local guide. Find contact and location details in the official tourism listings, and check opening times and availability directly.
A little further afield
A day in Coimbra.
Around 25 minutes away by car, Coimbra offers a change of pace from the countryside. Its university, historic streets and Portugal dos Pequenitos are good starting points for planning a city day.
Coimbra · MondegoPhoto: Kondephy · CC BY-SA 3.0
Getting to Penela
Coimbra · around 25 minutes by car
Lisbon · around 2 hours by car
Approximate driving times, depending on your route, exact destination and traffic.
Convento de Cristo · Claustro da HospedariaPhoto: Vitor Oliveira · CC BY-SA 2.0
A day in Tomar
Tomar and the
Convent of Christ.
Discover the Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Templar rotunda, the cloisters and the celebrated Chapter House window are reasons to take your time exploring. Afterwards, continue your day with a walk through Tomar.
Tomar · Rio NabãoPhoto: Ingo Mehling · CC BY-SA 4.0
From the monument to the town.
Set aside part of the day for the monumental complex, leaving time for lunch and a walk through the historic centre. Check the official information to plan access, opening times and tickets.
Destination information: the municipal tourism services of Penela, Coimbra and Tomar, and UNESCO. Check official pages for current access arrangements, bookings and conditions.
Photographs: authors and licences are credited beside each image. Images resized and framed for display.
Your next pause starts here
Bring a little time.
We have the place.
Choose your dates and start imagining your days in Penela.
Check availability on Booking ↗
Availability, prices and terms are shown on Booking.com.
Get in touch
Carlos Jansen Lage+351 964 149 913carlosjansenlage@olivalerio.com
Alan Jansen Lage+351 964 149 797alanjansenlage@olivalerio.com
Ponte do Espinhal
Rua das Flores · Penela · Portugal