5 Best Sights in Coimbra and Central Portugal, Portugal

At Conímbriga's entrance is a portion of the original Roman road that connected Olissipo (as Lisbon was then known) and the northern town of Braga. If you look closely, you can still make out ridges worn into the stone by cart wheels. The road is just the beginning of the fascinating footprint left behind by the civilization that once dwelled here. A patchwork of mosaics reveals itself as you work your way across the paths. You'll be able to make out the foundations of several villas, including the House of Cantaber, named after a nobleman whose family was captured by invading barbarians in 465. The most extraordinary villa is the 3rd-century House of the Fountains, covered with mosaics depicting Perseus offering the head of Medusa to a monster from the deep. Private baths included a tepidarium (hot pool) and frigidarium (cold pool). Remnants of the central heating system that was beneath the floor are also visible. . Alongside the ruins, an artifact-filled museum chronicles Conímbriga's Iron Age origins, its heyday as a prosperous Roman town, and its decline after the 5th-century barbarian conquests.

At the top of the town's hill are the ruins of the 12th-century Castelo Templário. Not much remains of the series of walls and towers that once surrounded the entire community. Adjoining the ruins is the flower-covered Miradouro de São Gens, which provides a fine view of the town and surrounding countryside.

A strange archaeological sight on a dirt track signposted off N18 has kept people guessing for years. The massive, solitary, three-story framework of granite blocks is thought to be of Roman origin, but experts are unable to explain its original function convincingly or provide many clues about its original appearance. Some archaeologists believe it was part of a much larger complex, possibly a Roman villa, which was subsequently used as a watchtower.

A strange archaeological sight on a dirt road has kept people guessing for years. The massive framework of granite blocks is thought to be of Roman origin, but experts are unable to explain its original function or provide many clues about its original appearance. Some archaeologists believe it was part of a much larger complex, possibly a Roman villa, and was subsequently used as a watchtower.

This castle keep, on a small knoll above the cathedral, and a few segments of wall are all that remain of Guarda's once extensive fortifications. From the top of the ruins you get an impressive view across the rock-strewn countryside toward the Castilian plains.