Figueira da Foz Tourist Attractions
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At the mouth of the Mondego, the regularly laid out little port town of Figueira da Foz, the "fig tree on the estuary", is one of the principal bases of the cod fisheries off the Portuguese Atlantic coast the fish market is held every morning on the south bank of the Mondego. Because of its broad beach of fine sand, stretching for 3km/2mi, Figueira da Foz is also one of the most popular resorts on Portugal's west coast, with a range of sport and leisure facilities to match, including a marina.TownscapeThe park on the coast road divides the new hotel district from the old town of Figueira da Foz, near the harbor and mostly 19th C.
Forte Santa Catarina
At the mouth of the river stands the old Santa Catarina fort, dating from the 17th C.
Casa do Paço
A 17th C. building is the Casa do Paço in the old town, near the main post office, much of it decorated with Delft tiles showing biblical themes, landscapes and riding scenes.
Museu Municipal do Dr Santos Rocha
The municipal museum, together with its library, is housed in a building surrounded by a park, and has displays of prehistoric finds as well as Roman exhibits, applied and decorative art, pottery, furniture, religious art, ethnography of the Portuguese overseas territories, etc.
Santo António
Just east of the Museu Municipal is the Franciscan convent of Santo António, founded in 1527 and much altered in the 18th C., its walls decorated with scenes from the life of St Antony.
Buarcos, Portugal
The fishing village of Buarcos to the northwest, now almost a suburb of Figueira da Foz, is partly surrounded by a wall, and has two 16th C. Manueline pelourinhos.
Cabo Mondego
About 3km/2mi farther on from Buarcos is Cabo Mondego, a rocky headland falling sheer down to the Atlantic in a mighty cliff. Adjoining the lighthouse is an observatory and nearby there are abandoned lignite mines and limestone quarries.
Serra de Boa Viagem
The Serra de Boa Viagem (up to 258m/846ft), a few miles north of Figueira da Foz, is an area of scattered woodland which offers some very good walks. From the summit of the Alto da Vela (209m/686ft) there are superb panoramic views.
Map - Figueira da Foz
