Figueira da Foz is a Portuguese holiday paradise known as the 'Queen of the Beaches'. The seaside resort, located at the mouth of the Mondego River, is located 40 kilometers west of Coimbra. The city has the largest sandy beach in Europe, and not only allows for all kinds of water sports, it is a favorite for surfing enthusiasts. You can watch the speed boat and sailing competitions which are organised frequently on the coasts of the city, and you can also see the traditional bullfighting in the summer. Figueira da Foz also has a famous casino called the Grande Casino Peninsular which was founded in the 1900s. The casino, is very influtenial for tourism in the city with its show and dance performances held at the casino.
The name of this beautiful town, where you can find plenty of sun and sea, means fig tree at the mouth of the river and it is believed that in the past the fig tree is where the fishermen tied their boats. In the nineteenth century it was the main place of the European aristocrats and today, the city maintains its popularity for over 100 years with its traditional Portuguese cuisine, the street entertainment in the evenings and its colourful historical houses. In Figueira da Foz 'new block' neighbourhood you will encounter historical Art Deco and Art Nouveau elements built there. One of the buildings with its spectacular architecture is Sotto Mayor Palace, which is the symbol of the city. Today, the palace has been transformed into a cultural space where exhibitions, concerts and fashion events are held and it is rumored that the owners lost a game in the casino in the town.
Near to the city is the old ancient castle of Montemor-o-Velho, the untouched fishing village of Buarcos, the Cabo Mondego Natural Monument, where you can observe 170 milliony year old rock formations, the Nucleo Museologico, where you will see the fishing traditions of the town, and the Casa Do Paco and its many churches and monasteries are all on the cities sightseeing route.
The nearest international airport to Figueira da Foz is Francisco de Sa Carneiro Airport. The airport is approximately 166 kilometers from the city center so the easist way to travel from the airport is by renting a car.