Oliveira Do Hospital: River Landscapes and History

Oliveira Do Hospital combines river bathing spots and routes with Roman remains, historic buildings and regional cheese culture. When planning your trip, you can focus on nature experiences by the water, trails and different ways of exploring history.

River Swimming and Routes

At Praia Fluvial de Alvoco das Várzeas, accessible ramps reach down to the water. There is also an amphibious chair and water sports facilities. Check the facilities before your trip, as they may change.

At Zona Balnear Ponte das Três Entradas, the waters of the Rio Alva invite you to swim, and you can picnic in the shade of the trees. The bathing area is unsupervised and is not a classified beach.

The routes also vary in form and length: PR6 OHP – Rota do Narciso is a 16.4-kilometre circular route in the “Rios e Zonas Húmidas” corridor. The Grande Rota do Alva is 77 kilometres long, crosses Oliveira do Hospital and is shaped by the Rio Alva. This gives you a choice between a clearly defined circular route and a considerably longer route connected with the Rio Alva.

Roman and Historic Remains

The Centro Interpretativo de Bobadela Romana presents the history of the ancient city through texts, photographs, illustrations, interactive multimedia technology and a documentary film. The centre also displays archaeological finds from the excavations at Bobadela. The amphitheatre at the Ruínas Romanas de Bobadela was used as a venue for games and combat.

The Museu Municipal Dr. António Simões Saraiva preserves works of art and ethnographic collections. It is housed in a former manor where General Gomes Freire de Andrade lived at the beginning of the 19th century. The museum’s collections and the building’s historical use thus offer distinct aspects of a visit.

Two burial monuments also offer specific archaeological details: Anta da Arcainha has a polygonal chamber, a relatively long passage, a surviving capstone and a surrounding burial mound. At Anta da Cavada, the chamber is formed by nine supporting stones and covered by a slab. The medieval Ponte Medieval de Alvoco das Várzeas adds to these remains: it was built over the Rio Alvoco in the 14th century.

Cheese Culture and Regional Products

Queijo Serra da Estrela is an aged sheep’s cheese with a straw-yellow rind and a semi-soft, buttery, ivory-white paste. If you would like to learn more about its production and distribution, the Roteiro Queijo Serra da Estrela route lets you visit approved producers. Producer participation may change; check the route before your trip.

A Malga is a food and wine venue in the schist village community of Aldeia das Dez. It also includes an Aldeias do Xisto shop, which showcases products from the region. As operating details may change, it is advisable to check before your visit.

Find a Hotel to Match Your Itinerary

Compare a hotel’s location with the specific places you plan to visit.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Avô, Lagos da Beira, Oliveira Do Hospital, Lagares, Meruge, Coimbra, Lousã, Abrunheira.

For the broader travel overview: Coimbra.