The district of Leiria covers a fragment of the Atlantic coast in central Portugal. It is a very attractive region in terms of tourism, with wonderful monasteries in Alcobaça and Batalha, and beautiful beaches with excellent surfing conditions.
The two most important monuments of the region are the UNESCO monastery complexes in Alcobaça and Batalha. The first is a building originally Gothic, but rebuilt in later centuries in the Baroque style. The Batalha Monastery, on the other hand, has kept clean, gothic forms, and its sharpness and severity makes the visitor feel only fine pollen.
In the south of the region is the charming town of Obidos. The Old Town, surrounded by defensive walls, consists of low, white painted houses entwined with creepers. Between them you can see historic churches and monasteries. The city is also famous for its Ginjinha cherry liqueur, which is served in chocolate glasses.
Tourists are also attracted to Leiria, and maybe above all the coast. There are well-known resorts such as São Pedro de Moel and Peniche lying on the peninsula. Nazaré is also very famous, the old part of which lies on a high cliff, which can be reached by a funicular. Nazaré is an important surfing center and it has a European record in the length of the wave.
