Leiria Tourism And Travel Guide

Leiria is a throwback to a different time. The city is so historically unique and special that visitors find themselves returning here over and over again. It has the right combination of natural and historic beauty. The city is best reached via road. The closest airport here is in Lisbon around 2 hours away. Tourism in the city is booming during the spring and summer seasons. The hottest time of the year is in June and the coldest is in December. There are diverse options for activities ranging from visits to iconic monuments like the Leiria Cathedral and Castle as well culturallly stimulating activities like visiting the Leiria Museum. The food and shopping scene may not be as hip as the rest of the country but it still has enough charm to make for a memorable experience. To gain further insights into this city, check out the travel guide below. It gives you an insight into Leiria's tourism.

By Air:

The only way to get to Leiria is via Lisbon Airport, 140 kms away. The airport is well-connected to almost all local and international destinations and provides bus and taxi services to get to Leiria.

By Road:

The journey via road is affordable and the least expensive way to reach the city. It is the most popular form of local transportation. 

By Rail:

A slighty longer and more inconvenient way to reach, the journey via rail is best avoided but is still a decent alternative to road travel.

Spring Season (March - May):

The go-to season for perfect weather, the spring time is when tourism is at its peak. The temperature averages in the mid 20's throughout this period. 

Summer Season (June - August):

The warmest period in the seasonal schedule, summers are dry and long, but still see many visitors frequenting the city to soak up some sunshine.

Autumn Season (September - November):

Erratic weather during this period sees most visitors staying away from the city due to the nasty rainfall and gloomy atmosphere.

Winter Season (December - February):

A bitterly cold time to visit, visitors are in for a torrid time with heavy winds, snowstorms and rainfall all occurring during this season.

Visit Leiria Castle:

The most popular activity is to visit this incredible medieval structure, which serves as a symbol of the city and one of the best places to explore for its history and architecture.

Leiria Cathedral:

The cathedral is another significant structure, and exploring the confines of this religious gem is a mus-do activity. Even if you aren't religiously inclined, do make it a point to include the cathedral on your itinerary.

Museu de Leiria:

A lovely way to spend the day is to take a cultural excursion to this museum, which paints a vivid picture of the evolution of the city of Leiria.

Stroll down Praca Rodrigues Lobo:

The main plaza of the city, a must-do activity is to spend a leisurely day here embracing the joy of the locals and charming cafes alike, shopping, walking and eating.

The food scene in Leiria is not as vibrant and diverse as some of the more major cities in Portugal. The food base revolves around locally sourced meats, vegetables and wines from all over the country. The Tapas cuisine is available from a variety of different bars and cafes at affordable rates. Casinha Velha, Coconuts Leiria and Tamari are just some of the most popular food spots to explore in the city. 

For shoppers, options may be slightly limited in this city. Other than the Old Town and Praca Rodrigues Lobo, there aren't many quality shopping districts or street markets as experienced in other parts of Portugal. The few lovely boutique stores in these two areas make for a great way to pick up some local souvenirs and include stores selling leather products, accessories like jewellery and even furnitue. Prices may vary depending on the craftsmanship and reputation of the shops.