The district of Leiria, with a population of 460,000, is located on the central western coast of Portugal and has in its realm, one of the country’s most impressive arrays of cities, beaches and attractions likely to suit every taste. From the highest waves to the most historic of buildings, Leiria has so much to offer across its 148 parishes within 16 municipalities.
Blessed with a mix of Mediterranean and temperate oceanic climates, influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, this district has cool and wet winters, and hot, sunny summers. Expect rain in April and November and some winter frost, but take comfort that it last snowed, for just two hours, in 2006, with snowfall anticipated every 20-30 years!
Just under 3,000 hours of annual sunshine can be expected, give or take a little, across the region.
District capital city Leiria is home to around 127,000 citizens and its economy is based largely on service industries and light manufacturing. The military airbase, in Monte Real, is also a significant employer, where the Portuguese Air Force station their F16 fighter jets.
The A1 that connects Lisbon to Porto passes Leiria, and the A8 offers a direct connection to the capital. Leiria municipality Marinha Grande is connected to Aveiro via the A17, and Batalha links to Leiria city via the A19. The Linha do Oeste (western line), which connects the Lisbon area to Figueira da Foz serves Portugal’s west coast, and Leiria city’s railway station is just a couple of kilometres from the city centre. Expect fairly good bus-based public transport in and around the district’s capital as well as its larger conurbations.
It’s hard to make generalisations about education and health facilities in such a vast and diverse district. However, look to Leiria and especially Caldas da Rainha for the most comprehensive provision, where there’s also the world's oldest purpose-built thermal medical institution.
The district is rich in historical attractions, including the Monastery at Batalha (literally ‘battle’), the medieval walled town of Óbidos and its July - held Medieval Market, Porto de Mós' the rebuilt castle and the ancient battle site of Aljubarrota.
There’s something about the municipalities of Alvaiázere, Ansião, Figueiró dos Vinhos and Ferreira do Zêzere that seem to be especially attractive to European ex-pats. Add to that list Caldas da Rainha, a UNESCO Creative City that calls itself Capital do Comércio Tradicional (capital of traditional commerce). Caldas is a particularly vibrant and well-connected town for those looking for more of an urban ‘buzz’. The nearby beach towns of Salir & Sao Martinho do Porto only add to its value.
Known as the ‘Crystal City’, Marinha Grande’s connection to glass-making dates back to the middle of the 18th century. Now one of the country's main producers of traditionally made fine crystal, Portugal's biggest glass manufacturing area, and European capital of the glass moulding industry, with 250 glass-related companies being based here.
Once a tiny fishing village, Nazaré is now famous for its immense waves that attract some of the world’s top surfers, as well as spectators, at certain times of the year. Nearby Peniche is one of the best surfing locations in Europe with many surf schools and the annual MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal and World Surf League championships. There is also golf in Leiria. Praia D'el Rey, Bom Sucesso, The West Cliffs and Royal Óbidos are all situated near Óbidos, while the 9 hole Botado Golf Club is next to the beach in Peniche.
Neighboring Pedrógão Grande, Leiria’s westernmost municipality, is Figuiero dos Vinhos, here you will find one of Portugal’s quaintest hidden gems called the Fragas de São Simão; a beautiful stretch of river called the Alge, where a stunning ‘Praia fluvial’ river beach exists between large boulders and cool cascading waters.
Property is plentiful here and you can expect to find anything from apartments to farms and even whole mountain villages for sale. The area is well connected, so explore it in its entirety as the countryside is often littered with old stone ruins.
Expect to pay € 650 per month in the city centre to rent a three-bedroom apartment and approximately € 1000 per square metre to buy. In terms of housing, it is difficult to give a guide due to this region having such diversity.
There are still old stone ruins for as little as 10,000 euros here in the interior if you look hard enough.
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