Guarda travel guide

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Guarda is the highest city in Portugal, standing 1000 meters above the sea. Founded in the twelfth century by King Sancho I, the town has interesting historic sights, including stretches of the citywalls and three of the main gates. The cathedral (dating back to 1390) is worth a visit as well. Known As the highest town in Portugal (at an elevation of about 1056m/3465ft), The town of Guarda has always played an important role as a defensive site.

It is imagen to have been a military base for Julius Caesar, later for the Visigoths, and eventually for the Moors. Today it is a good base to explore Serra da Estrela. On the gothic cathedral that also dominates the town's central square. It was built between the 14th and 16th century, with Gothic, Renaissance, and Manueline elements. In the interior are twisted pillars and arched vaulting, and a masterpiece Renaissance altar of white marble.

The town of Guarda was founded in 1199 by the second king of Portugal, Sancho I.

The Misericordia Church, with an ornamental portal and Baroque altars, and north of the cathedral is São Vicente Church, with 16 elaborate tile panels depicting the life of Christ. The Town Museum is housed in the old bishop's palace, and displays paintings and archeological finds.

Trancoso: With an altitude of 880m/2,886ft about 20km/12mi north of Celorico da Beira, is encircled by walls that were still being extended in the 16th century. Trancoso castle, now a ruin, was where King Dinis I married his Queen, later Saint.

Baroque Churches: Worth seeing are 2 Baroque churches in Guarda, the 17th century and 18th century Sao Vicente. However perhaps somewhat provincial in style, they are no less attractive for that.

Celorico da Beira: Is a little city with a ruined castle, destroyed by French troops in the early 19th century, and several old houses with some Manueline windows.

Museu Regional: Actually houses the Regional Museum, where the exhibits range from archeological finds and pictorial archives to paintings and sculpture.

Serra da Estrela: Trips from Guarda through the Serra da Estrela to the west and to the little mountain town of Belmonte are extremely charming.

Cathedral: The Catedral, is a granite building of fortress like appearance, with crenellated walls.

By Air: The national carrier, TAP Air Portugal, flies to and from more than fifty cities in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Macau and North and South America, as well as operating regular domestic flights between Porto, Lisbon, Faro and the Atlantic archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores, and also between the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo.

By Train: All trains are operated by CP (Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses). If you plan to do a lot of traveling by train. It covers routes and schedules throughout the country. Timetables are also usually posted on station walls. Tickets must be purchased at the station in advance. Rail cards for tourists (Bilhetes Turisticos) will save you some money. They are valid for 7, 14 or 21 days.

By Car: International Driving Permits and foreign driving licenses are accepted. If you Traveling by taxi is relatively cheap, and in all cities plentiful. Across major towns and for shorter journeys in areas where other transportation may be limited, a taxi is worth considering.

By Coach: Coach travel in Portugal is made easy by an extensive network of privately run companies who operate with efficiency and competitive prices

Temperatures in Coimbra range from 7.2 to 27.95 (Celcius).