Things to do in Central Portugal, Portugal: The Best Nature & Parks

Classified as World Heritage by UNESCO and built at the turn of the 20th century, this romantic architectural complex is comprised of a Palace, a Chapel, and gardens with grottos.

Opened in 1998, the Oceanário was the centerpiece of the XXth Century's last World Fair, themed "The Oceans, a Heritage for the Future", and eternally binds Lisbon to the Oceans.MissionThe Oceanário’s mission is to promote knowledge of the oceans and bring up the public about the duty of protecting natural heritage, through changing their daily habits.While walking through impressive and unforgettable exhibits, visitors are encouraged to learn fascinating things about the oceans and, more importantly, how to make decisions in their daily lives that actively promote the conservation of nature.

Lying at the foot of the Sintra hills and facing the Atlantic, this superb beach is not only ideal for wind surfing but also board surfing due to the large breakers.

This tour takes you to the heart of Obidos region and with a history linked to wine and sparkling wine production dating back to the XV Century, the Quinta dos Loridos estate is a unique place, where tranquillity and nature play a special role. It is from these vineyards that the grapes are picked for the production of top quality sparkling wines - those of the Loridos brand . Produced in the age old winery, a rod-press dating from the XVII Century can still be found here. The Classic Method ("Methode Champenoise") is used to produce the wine, the whole process of which is conducted manually. This is followed by a period of ageing in the cellar. The surroundings of the cellar perfectly complement its purpose: terraced gardens, a lake, a forest, vineyards, and the largest oriental gardens in Europe, the impressive Buddha Eden. Buddha Eden Garden: With circa 35 hectares, the garden was created and devised by the Comendador Jose Berardo, in response to the destruction of the Buddhas of Banyan, in which one of the greatest acts of cultural barbarity took place, erasing masterpieces of late-period Gandhara art. From Buddhas , pagodas, terracotta statues and the various carefully-placed sculptures which can be found among the gardens, it is estimated that some six thousand tons of marble and granite were used to create this monumental work of art. There are seven hundred hand-painted terracotta soldiers, each of them unique, copies of those which were buried, some of them 2,200 years ago. At the central lake, KOI (Japanese carp) fish can be seen, and sculpted dragons rise out of the water. The central staircase is the focal point of the garden, where the golden Buddhas offer you a calm welcome. This is the Quinta dos Loridos estate, a place which awakens the senses...