Historical Village of Piódão | Location, things to do

Piódão is one of Portugal’s 12 historic villages, but also one of Portugal’s schist villages. It was the winner of the remote villages category for the 7 wonders of Portugal and is located in the Açor mountain range. Its characteristic blue windows and doors contrast so much with the color of the schist and make it so instagrammable.

In Serra do Açor, near Piódão, there are several mountain trails that you can follow, and through them you can visit other equally incredible places, including fantastic and desirable river beaches and even waterfalls. Have you heard of Foz de Égua and Chãs de Égua?

But even if you only choose to visit the village of Piódão, I want you to know that it will be well worth the drive. Piódão is one of my favorite historic villages in Portugal, and walking through its narrow streets is magical.

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Where is Piódão located, in Portugal?

Piódão is located in the district of Coimbra, municipality of Arganil. It is one of Portugal’s 12 historic villages and also a schist village in the center of the country, not far from Serra da Estrela mountain range.

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When to visit the Historical Village of Piódão?

Any time is a good time to visit the schist villages, but spring and fall are obviously ideal for nature walks in Serra do Açor.
In May (the 7th), there’s a very unique festival in the village of Benfeita (close to Piódão), called Festa da Paz (Peace Festival). You’ll have the opportunity to hear the many (MANY!) chimes of the Peace Tower, in honor of the end of World War II.
Don’t forget the festivities related with the village being associated with the 12 historical villages. The date may vary from one year to the next.
Summer is the ideal time to visit Piódão if you just want to take a dip in the region’s river beaches, such as Foz de Égua!

Things to do in the Historical Village of Piódão

What to do in Piódão? Discover all my suggestions for the region below.

1. Taste Piódão’s liqueurs and typical foods such as Bucho and Chanfana.

Going to Piódão certainly means trying the liqueurs and Bucho, a type of sausage that is a typical dish of the region. Similarly, if you want to have lunch there, be sure to try the Chanfana, and to warm your stomach, how about a typical medronho brandy?

2. Visit the Mother Church of Piódão, so different in style

The Mother Church of Piódão, of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, was built in the 17th century. It is undoubtedly the exterior that is most impressive, but inside you’ll find a limestone image of the patron saint (16th century), as well as images of Our Lady of the Conception, Saint Michael and Saint Sebastian.

3. Absorb the message of the poem Sisyphus by Miguel Torga

For me, it’s one of the best messages I’ve come across while traveling. You will find it in the village, in portuguese, but here it is in English.

Sisyphus

Start over…
If you can,
With no anguish, no rush.
And the steps you take,
On that hard path
Of the future,
Do take them freely.
Until you achieve
Do not repose.
Of no fruit be content with half.

And, never satiated,
Go on gathering
Successive illusions at the orchard.
Always dreaming
And realising,
Awake,
The adventure’s deceit.
You are a man, forget it not!
Madness is yours
if yourself you lucidly see upon it. 

Miguel Torga

4. Get lost in the magical small roads of Piódão

Don’t miss out:

Visiting the Church of São Pedro (simple in layout, but with an image of São Pedro from the 16th century), and the Chapel of the Souls, founded in the 18th century and dedicated to the Souls in Purgatory, having served in the past as a mortuary chapel.
Visiting Piódão Museum, located in Cónego Manuel Fernandes Nogueira square. It serves as the village’s tourist office, where you can find information on handicrafts, accommodation, restaurants, tourist attractions to visit, and even available walking routes.
Seeing the bust of Canon Manuel Fernandes Nogueira, an important priest from Piódão. He was born in Loriga in 1861 and only arrived in this historic village in 1885. In Piódão he founded an important school that prepared young men for entry into the seminary: in all, more than 200 boys passed through there.
Walking to the Community Threshing Floor, used in the past to dry and thresh the grain harvested from the surrounding fields.
Paying attention to shale water courses.

5. Climb to the viewpoints overlooking the village of Piódão

Among the best viewpoints of the village of Piódão, I recommend the one from the Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Bom Parto.

6. Take the PR2 trail that links Piódão to Foz de Égua and Chãs de Égua

For this trail, I leave you with two alternatives:

Trail from Piódão to Foz de Égua
Trail from Piódão to Foz de Égua and Chãs de Égua
Both are circular. The longer version is about 11km. The two trails (the short one and the longer one) will allow you to see some of the best landscapes in Serra do Açor.

7. Relax on the river beaches of Serra do Açor, in Piódão and Foz de Égua

Piódão has an attractive river beach, but the river beach at Foz de Égua is even more enchanting. The schist bridges are a five-star complement to the green waters. The river beach is certainly the main reason to visit Foz de Égua, which is located at the meeting point of the Piódão and Chãs de Égua streams.

It’s a real paradise!

8. Visit Foz de Égua and Chãs de Égua

The visit should take place in parallel with the PR2 trail already suggested. In addition to the river beach at Foz de Égua, don’t forget to:

Cross Foz de Égua Suspension Bridge.
Visit Chãs de Égua Rock Art Interpretive Center, with information on the 100 or so engraved rocks already discovered in the surrounding region. Be aware of the restricted opening hours, so contact the museum before your visit.

9. Take the PR1 trail to see Fraga da Pena waterfall

The trail in question is the PR1 AGN – Caminho do Xisto da Benfeita.
It is about 12km long and circular. The trail does not leave from Piódão, but from Benfeita, another schist village in central Portugal, in Serra do Açor.
In addition to Fraga da Pena waterfall, it follows several watercourses and levadas, and allows you to pass other smaller waterfalls. It passes through several other villages in the region where schist also predominates: Sardal, Pardieiros, Benfeita.

Curiosities about Piódão

Did you know that one of Inês de Castro's murderers is said to have settled in this part of Serra do Açor? Some say he still has descendants here in Piódão.

Accommodation tips to visit Piódão

Gastronomy and Restaurants in Piódão

I’ve already mentioned Bucho, Chanfana and Piódão liqueurs in this article. These are clearly the most typical dishes of this region in the municipality of Arganil.

Solar dos Pachecos is definitely worth a visit.

Travel Insurance + Car Rental

A car makes the whole trip easier and gives you the flexibility to visit more historic or schist villages in the region. Rent a car with Discover Cars if you don’t have your own.

I also recommend that you take out travel insurance with World Nomads to get to know Portugal. Stay safe!

Map with things to do in Piódão and in the Historic Villages of Portugal

Finally, I’ll leave you with the link to the map with all the sights I mentioned earlier in this article. I hope it’s useful and helps you have an even more fantastic trip through the central interior of Portugal. 😉

Have a nice trip in my country!