Leiria is a city of central Portugal on the Lis river, below its castle hill, about halfway between Lisbon and Porto. The historic centre, the cathedral, the castle and the riverside path along the Lis are within walking distance of each other.

This page covers how to reach Leiria, what to see in the city, and the monuments of the region nearby.

The Lis river and its riverside path in Leiria — The Lis river and its riverside path, in the centre of Leiria.

Getting to Leiria

By road: the A1 motorway between Lisbon and Porto passes Leiria, and the A8, A17 and A19 connect it with the coast and the west.
By train: Leiria station is on the Oeste railway line.

In the city of Leiria

Praça Rodrigues Lobo: the main square of the historic centre, surrounded by historic buildings and cafés.
Lis riverside: a path for walking and cycling along the river, past the Moinho do Papel and the former Convent of Santo Agostinho.
Museu de Leiria: the city museum, in the former Convent of Santo Agostinho, on the history of Leiria and its region.
Mercado de Sant'Ana: the former market building in the historic centre, used for cultural events.
Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Encarnação: a hilltop chapel above the city, reached by a long stairway.

Beaches and nature in Leiria

Praia do Pedrógão: the beach of the municipality, in the parish of Coimbrão, with a long sandy shore and dunes.
Termas de Monte Real: a thermal spa in the parish of Monte Real.

Pedrógão Sul beach

Location⁨Leiria⁩
Beach type⁨Ocean beach⁩

Pedrógão Centro beach

Location⁨Leiria⁩
Beach type⁨Ocean beach⁩

Near Leiria

Monastery of Batalha: a UNESCO World Heritage monastery in the neighbouring municipality of Batalha, built as a thanksgiving for the victory at Aljubarrota in 1385.
Monastery of Alcobaça: a Cistercian monastery and UNESCO World Heritage site in Alcobaça.
Nazaré: a fishing town on the coast, known for the big waves of the Praia do Norte.
Fátima Sanctuary: the Marian sanctuary in the municipality of Ourém, in the district of Santarém.

Food in Leiria

Morcela de arroz: a rice blood sausage, linked to the parish of Marrazes.
Brisas do Lis: small almond and egg sweets named after the river of the city.