The extensive sandy beach of Praia de Buarcos is protected from strong northerly winds by Cabo Mondego. The foothills of the Serra da Boa Viagem reach the sea and give the coastal landscape a clear geographical character. The Freguesia de Buarcos also brings the sea and mountains together in a small area. In addition, buildings and collections tell the story of the town and its coastal communities. You can therefore get to know Buarcos through both its landscape and its historical themes.
Coast and Beach in Buarcos
The promenade along Buarcos beach runs parallel to the ocean and extends along part of the beach; you can cycle on it. This is a practical way to experience the coast while on the move. If cycling is one of your travel interests, you can include this feature in your plans alongside the beach landscape. The beach and promenade thus offer different ways to explore the coast.
The Fortaleza and the History of the Bay
The Fortaleza de São Pedro de Buarcos stretches along the coast between Praia de Buarcos and Praia da Tamargueira. It was originally built as a fortified line about 700 metres long. Together with Fortim de Palheiros and Forte de Santa Catarina, it formed the bay’s defence system at the mouth of the Mondego. The Fortaleza can thus be understood in terms of its position between two beaches, its original extent, and its role in the bay’s historic defence system. Those interested in coastal history will find here a different way to connect with the sea than through the beach and promenade.
Church and Pelourinho in the Town Centre
Igreja da Misericórdia de Buarcos is a religious building in the town centre, with origins dating back to the 16th century. Also in the centre stands Pelourinho de Buarcos, on the former Rua Direita. One of its sides is decorated with Buarcos’s old coat of arms. These two sites offer different ways to explore the buildings in the town centre: the church through its long history, and the Pelourinho through its location on a former street and its coat-of-arms ornament. These specific details help distinguish the two historic landmarks.
Fishing Culture and the Núcleo Museológico do Mar
The Núcleo Museológico do Mar was established to preserve and share memories and practices of fishing associated with the coastal communities of the municipality of Figueira da Foz. The museum displays local written, photographic, audiovisual and oral records. Fishing culture thus encompasses various forms of local heritage, not just one type of record. Since 1 July 2013, the Buarcos branch of the Biblioteca Pública Municipal Pedro Fernandes Tomás has been located on the ground floor of the Núcleo Museológico do Mar; it specialises in the subject of the sea. The museum and library branch have different focuses: the museum is dedicated to memories and practices of fishing, while the library focuses on the sea.
When looking for a holiday apartment, you can use your own interests as a starting point: Buarcos brings together the beach and cycling on the promenade, the history of the fortress, historic landmarks in the town centre, and fishing culture. This makes it possible to choose a place to stay based on the themes that matter most to your trip.
Discover more destinations: Alqueidão, Maiorca, Paião, Lavos.
Back to the overview of destinations: Figueira Da Foz.
