6 Best Sights in Coimbra and Central Portugal, Portugal

One of Figueira da Foz's more curious sights is the 18th-century Casa do Paço, the interior of which is decorated with about 7,000 Delft tiles. These Dutch tiles were salvaged from a shipwreck at the mouth of the harbor in the late 1600s. The entrance is a little difficult to find---ask a local to point you in the right direction. 

The 1886 gaming room of the Casino da Figueira has frescoed ceilings, chandeliers, and a variety of table games, including blackjack and roulette. Banks of slot machines lie in wait in a separate room. Within the same building there's also a Belle Epoque show room and a piano bar where you can hear fado music. All visitors are required to show their passports at the door.

Designed by Luis Marçal Grilo, this impressive modern building sits among the open green spaces of the Parque das Abadias. The interior is flexible enough to host a variety of performance events and also includes exhibition space used for arts, crafts, and photography. There's an on-site restaurant.

The triangular 17th-century Forte de Santa Catarina was occupied by the French during the early days of the Peninsular War. Though it isn't possible to visit the interior, the bar-restaurant at the top of the fort is a lovely spot to enjoy the breeze and a drink with a view.

This modern museum next to the city park may look a bit stark outside, but it holds one of the province's most diverse and interesting collections. The archaeological section consists mainly of Roman coins sourced from all over the Iberian Peninsula. A second gallery focuses on former Portuguese colonies in Africa, with highlights including some fascinating ritual objects. There is also a gallery dedicated to Portuguese marquetry furniture with exquisite inlaid carvings, plus another devoted to religious items. Exhibits have multilingual explanations.

The main draw of Figueira da Foz is the magnificent 2-km-long (1-mile-long) beach that locals claim is the widest in Europe. It has calm waters that offer plenty of shallow areas for paddling tots, making it particularly popular among families. The golden strand is so broad you'll stroll for several minutes just to get your feet wet, and it's flanked by a promenade lined with sprawling terrace cafés. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards. Best for: sunrise; sunset; swimming. It can get crowded, but walk towards Buarcos to find the quieter stretches.