Coimbra-Sao Pedro de Moel

Today we're heading back into the countryside. We drive along the winding N236 into the Serra de Lousa, past villages with old stone houses built entirely from slate. The villages, which were once almost completely abandoned, are now being rebuilt and used for tourism purposes, among other things.

The road winds its way up in serpentines to almost 1000 m. Luckily, hardly anyone comes towards us!

In Penela we stop at a parking lot by a cemetery and walk up to the castle. As in many places before, the entrance and surroundings of the picture-book castle are being renovated with European funds. It is Freedom Day (April 25th) and 50 years of freedom and democracy are being celebrated here too. A stage with a band, beer tables, suckling pig and what seems like the whole village have gathered in the castle courtyard to celebrate.

We continue to Soura, a nice little town where we have our obligatory Galao (milk coffee).

We take the motorway directly to our campsite in Sao Pedro de Moel. It is located almost directly on the Atlantic and finally there is a beach and the sound of the sea again. Of course, an aperitif in a bar on the beach is a must!