Top Things to do in Guarda District
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6 Hidden Gems Things to do in Guarda District That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Guarda District, Portugal including Museu da Fundacao do Coa, Serra da Estrela, Castelo de Linhares da Beira, Muralhas do Castelo Rodrigo, Vale do Coa Archaeological Park, Cascata do Poco da Broca.
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1. Museu da Fundacao do Coa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 436 reviews
The final seventeen kilometres of the Coa valley contain hundreds of Palaeolithic engravings along the river’s banks, extending all the way to the River Douro. This zone has been made into Portugal’s first Archaeological Park. This Park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on 2 December 1998. This entire open-air art collection, which buries the old myth of rock art only existing in caves, is exhibited in the Museum through original pieces of movable art, replicas of “rock panels” and interactive zones that use modern digital technology. The art can also be viewed in loco on organised visits to the valley with specialised guides (advance booking required). Visit also (no advance booking required) the Museum which provides an overview of the Ice Age Coa Valley rock-art, its archaeological context as well as magnificent views over the Coa and Douro rivers. Museum opening times: High season: 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM; Closes at lunchtime (01:00 PM - 02-00 PM) in low season from the 20th of October until the last day of February. Closed on Mondays, 1st of January, 1st of May and 25th of December.
Reviewed By LORIT123 - Vienna, Austria
architecture 1a, location/view 1a, content 1a, kitchen/restaurant 1a, guides 1a, its an outstanding place, beautiful, educational, full of sensuality and experience, adventure even... if you can, book the night tour to the rock art places. fairy tale!!!
2. Serra da Estrela
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 794 reviews
Reviewed By Vinetou - Ljubljana, Slovenia
Travelling from Porto to the South across Serra da Estrela was a good decision. Plenty of nice views. Many attractions on the way (water reservoirs, RAMSAR protected area, charming glacier valley, ski area etc.). More on the pictures.
3. Castelo de Linhares da Beira
4. Muralhas do Castelo Rodrigo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 200 reviews
Reviewed By shop4u18
Castelo Rodrigo is truly a step back in time. The steep cobblestone paths , ancient walls, and cultures of three religions all meld into this historical village. Walk into the shops. Hand crafted items ,from Local Portuguese craftsmen are offered... handmade toys, cork products, beautiful sweaters, scarves and baby cloths! Try the delicious almonds... and purchase an assortment! Also olive oils, hand made soaps and balms. Have a coffee. Enjoy the non touristy feel of this exceptional village. Be warned! The streets are ancient stones! Wear comfortable ,lug sole shoes. Have a sweater, or jacket as the top of the village gets windy! Walk through the ruins imaging the past inhabitants and their daily life!
5. Vale do Coa Archaeological Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 143 reviews
Previous booking strongly advised! The Côa valley is a unique place in the world, displaying open-air artistic manifestations from different moments of prehistoric, protohistoric and historic times, namely the greatest assembly of Ice Age open-air engravings presently known. This extraordinary rock art collection is distributed along two main axes: the river Côa and the river Douro, of which the Côa is a tributary. More than a thousand schist outcrops with rock art manifestations are known, in more than 70 different sites, with a predominance of Upper Paleolithic art, followed by motifs belonging to the Iron Age, Historic times and Late Prehistory. As a recognition of the cultural and scientific interest of this group of findings, the Parque Arqueológico do Vale do Côa (Côa Valley Archaeological Park) was created in 1996 and the rock art sites inscribed in UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1998.
Reviewed By marjude
My wife and I are from the United States visiting Portugal. Since we have an interest in archeology we decided to drive to the Coa Valley and tour the fabulous Parque visiting Rock drawings from about 20,000 BC. We toured with Gloria a congenial and knowledgeable archeologist for about 3 hours in what is a beautiful part of the country. She drove us to the site in her vehicle and we hiked near 3 miles over pretty rough terrain to see the ancient drawings. Don’t miss this experience!
