The district of Leiria, which has as its capital the city of Leiria, gather a series of unique attractions, diversity of landscapes, monuments and typical customs. The geography of Leiria is dominated by the extensive beaches facing the Atlantic and mountains of great landscapes. The main forest spots in the region are the Natural Park of Serra de Aire e Candeeiros, where the landscape is dominated by limestone, which gives it a singular beauty, and the Leiria's Pine forest, one of the largest natural spots in the center region. Leiria is nowadays recognized as an important pole of development, with the region concentrating a diversified industrial zone (plastics, molds, glass). Varnished earthenware, decorated glass, wicker and bedspreads are some of the best-known handicraft products in the district of Leiria.

The city of Leiria, guard by a beautiful medieval castle on top of its hill, is stunningly situated at the confluence of the rivers Lis and Lena. The old town that has developed beneath the castle is charming, with small houses above arches, graceful arcades and small churches. Leiria presents a geometric city marked by the pathway of the hill to the Lis river and by the squares full of life and fifteenth century streets, where the past and the modern live together. Its medieval foundation takes place during the movement of the Christian Reconquest to the Muslims, carried out by the first Portuguese king - D. Afonso Henriques.  It was precisely in the dynamic of the territorial conquests for the foundation of the kingdom of Portugal that King D. Afonso Henriques ordered the construction of the Castle of Leiria, still in the first half of the twelfth century.

Come and visit Leiria, a fascinating city full of treasures that remind historical people and places, in a landscape marked by the hill of the Castle that led to the foundation of the city. Whether you are passionate about history, culture or nature, in Leiria you will find fantastic monuments, relaxing natural sceneries and modern cultural spaces, all accompanied by a rich and tasty regional cuisine.