With summer in full force, here at Lisboa Secreta we’ve been focusing on various seasonal articles, such as the best river beaches near the capital and even a tour of some hotels with swimming pools in the city. However, this is also the perfect time to ‘dive in’ to trips and getaways. So how about we set off to discover Foz d’Égua?
Surrounded by the intoxicating beauty of the Serra do Açor mountains, Foz d’Égua is a small town located near Piódão – one of Portugal’s 12 Historic Villages. Although this is not a destination with a vast historical heritage like Monsanto, the truth is that Foz d’Égua is worth a visit, especially for those who love natural charms.
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What’s so special about the village?
This is one of those destinations that is particularly suitable for the summer, due to the existence of a river beach with crystal-clear waters. Despite the fact that it’s no longer exactly a ‘secret’, the fact remains that this small village continues to delight those looking for a more bucolic setting. If you want to avoid big floods, it’s best to avoid the weekends.
After passing through roads full of curves, the synchronicity of the village covered in schist and slate houses, perfectly framed in the green landscape, immediately captures the attention of any visitor. However, the biggest attraction is undoubtedly the local freshwater paradise – the result of the junction of the Piódão and Chãs d’Égua streams.
A brief look at the river beach
First of all, it’s worth pointing out that the river beach is not guarded, so you need to be careful, especially when it comes to monitoring children. Otherwise, the setting is perfect for taking a dip, spreading out your towel and, of course, taking lots of photos for Instagram.
Foz d’Égua: the ‘Hobbit’ village
If the village of Monsanto went international because of the filming of the series “House of The Dragon”, the truth is that Foz d’Égua could well have been the setting for the saga “The Hobbit”, by director Peter Jackson.
In fact, in some articles dedicated to the town in the municipality of Arganil (district of Coimbra), or in various posts on social networks, there is no shortage of mentions of this place as the ‘Hobbit’ village.
Why? This comparison is due, in particular, to the very architectural structure of Foz d’Égua, which is reminiscent of Hobbiton, the ‘home’ of Frodo and his friends.
Other points of interest
In addition to the instagrammable river beach, we highlight the following points of interest:
- The village’s iconic schist bridges
- The stone religious altar
- The village of Piódão (located a few kilometers away on foot and/or by car)
- Alvoco de Várzeas River Beach (6.4 kilometers from Foz d’Égua)
- The Poço da Broca Waterfall (about 7 kilometers away)
Although Foz d’Égua isn’t exactly the secret it once was, the truth is that this freshwater paradise is still a perfect summer destination. Are you in the mood to hit the road?
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