Welcome to

LEIRIA

Leiria was born within the castle and the Lis river, the heart of the
country, located in the coast and center of Portugal.

Historic Heritage

Leiria Castle

Opening Hours:

  • April - September
  • Every Day: 09h30h - 18h30h (Last Entrance: 17h30h)

  • October - March
  • Every Day: 09h30h - 17h30h (Last Entrance: 16h30h)

Conquered from the Moors in 1135, by D. Afonso Henriques, Leiria Castle remains to this day as a lookout for the City. The traces also show the different phases of occupation, from the military function to the residential palace. Its partial reconstruction is due to the architect Ernesto Korrodi, who gave the castle a palatial appearance.
Inside the imposing walls, it keeps traces of the different phases of occupation, from the military fortress to the royal palace.
There were several kings and queens who were dazzled by the fantastic landscape that can be seen from the top of the hill, where the donjon, the Royal Palaces, the Church of "Nossa Senhora da Pena" and the medieval Cisterns.
D. Dinis may have been the monarch who spent the most time in Leiria, together with his wife, Queen Santa Isabel, to whom the legend of the Miracle of the Roses is attributed, this being just one of several stories that were born in Leiria thanks to these kings.
In 2021, the requalification works of the Leiria Castle were completed, which allowed not only to further enhance its heritage wealth and increase its tourist potential.
At this moment, the Castle is open to all citizens, access to which can be made through two mechanical accesses (on the north side and on the south side), which are free to use.

Discover more from this region, in the center of Portugal!

Museums

Nucleus Museum in the Leiria Castle Donjon

Leiria Castle Museum

Leiria Castle remains a monumental symbol of the city's history. The museum ensemble of the Donjon is made up of various archaeological materials found in this place, as well as replicas of medieval weaponry.

M|I|MO Museum of the Moving Image

Mimo Museum

M|i|mo includes collections of objects, which show the Cinematography evolution, leading on a journey through the limits of imagination, on a path of light and shadow, color, rhythm and volume, ingenuity and art… illusion and reality!

Leiria Museum

Leiria Museum

Leiria Museum is organized into a long-term exhibition, with a general reading of the history and identity of the Country, as well as a space with temporary exhibitions, that allow a deeper understanding of specific themes and collections.

Gastronomy

The richness of the natural, cultural and religious heritage of this region makes it one of the most desirable for the most curious travellers.
And the icing on the cake? Tasty regional cuisine! Indulge in "Morcela de Arroz", "Sopa de Vidreiro", "Arroz de Marisco", "Feijoada de Chocos", "Cabrito Assado" "Caldeirada de Borrego", "Friginada", "Leitão" from Boa Vista, "Migas Serranas" and "Chícharos". "Arroz de Sarrabulho" and "Torresmos" are considered kings in Pedrógão Grande.
Finish your adventure with a "Brisa do Lis", "Cavacas do Reguengo de Fetal", "Pudim da Batalha" or "Biscoito do Louriçal", among many other sweet temptations.
And what about the tasty cheese from Rabaçal or goat cheese, wheat bread and cornbread cooked in a wood-fired oven?
"Bom Apetite!"

Discover some places where to eat in this region, in the center of Portugal!

Brisas do Lis