DominguesTo visit Mira is to discover one of Portugal’s smallest municipalities, which nevertheless has one of the most touristic seaside beaches on the country’s coastline, namely Mira Beach. Many visitors seek out this beach as a summer refuge in central Portugal.
There are lots of places to visit near Mira Beach, and many activities to do, not forgetting the municipality’s great cycle-pedestrian path, which as the name implies, can be traveled on foot or by bicycle.
Did you know that Mira is still one of the municipalities belonging to Ria de Aveiro, even though it’s not in the Aveiro district? If you want to find out everything there is to see and do in Mira, keep reading this article. 😉
Where is Mira located, in Portugal?
Mira is a town and municipality in the district of Coimbra. It has four parishes in its territory, one of which is Mira Beach, which is, of course, next to the ocean. It is bordered only by Vagos and Cantanhede.
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How to get to Mira and Mira beach?
Rede Expressos buses make it easy to get to Mira from all over the country. While in Mira, navigation will also be easy, as the municipality is relatively compact, with an excellent cycle-pedestrian path that you can use by bike or on foot, and which connects to most of the tourist attractions. 😉
In any case, I recommend that you have a car, so if you don’t have your own, rent one with Discover Cars.
When to visit Mira and Mira beach?
To visit Mira, I’d clearly recommend summer or late spring, as this way you’ll be able to fully enjoy the sea and the activities on offer at Barrinha de Mira. However, at any time of the year it will be pleasant to stroll around this municipality on the coast of Portugal, and if your goal is just to do the cycle-pedestrian path, then you should really bet on milder weather.
As far as the main festivities in the region are concerned, don’t forget the São Tomé Festivities, which take place in July in honor of the town’s patron saint. Also take note of the Sea Festival, in Mira beach, which curiously don’t take place in the summer, but at the beginning of December, in honor of Nossa Senhora da Conceição.
Mira also hosts a number of gastronomic events each year, such as the Gândara Region Gastronomic Exhibition in September and the Sprouts Fair in May.
Did you know that Mira has a carnival with caretos, just like Podence, in Macedo de Cavaleiros (Bragança district)? They are called the Caretos da Lagoa de Mira. Visit Mira at Carnival time too.
Gastronomy and Restaurants in Mira beach
When it comes to the best flavors, you have to consider that Mira is very close to Ria de Aveiro, the Atlantic Ocean and Bairrada region, so it has some diversity in terms of typical dishes.
For example, when it comes to fish, why don’t you ask for a seafood stew? Or Bacalhau com Grelos, Pitau de Raia, Enguias Suadas, squid or grilled sardines? For meat, how about a good Cabidela Rice, suckling pig or Rojões à Gândara?
Here are some tips for restaurants, all near Barrinha and Mira beach:
- Concha do Mar
- Salgáboca
- Canas III
Accommodation tips to visit Mira beach
| Accommodation | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Maçarico Beach Hotel | 8.3 | Mira beach |
| Palheiros de Mira | 8.6 | Mira beach |
| Bico das Flores | 9.0 | Mira beach |
| Villa Barrinha | 9.3 | Mira beach |
| Hotel Quinta da Lagoa | 7.9 | Mira Lagoon |
For where to stay in Mira, I obviously recommend the Mira beach area. 😉 It’s livelier and closer to the sea. However, I did have the opportunity to pass by Mira Lagoon and in particular Hotel Quinta da Lagoa, which I thought was excellent, despite its low booking score.
Note that the landscape next to this hotel is really beautiful, as it is located on the shores of the lagoon and even has a sandy beach where you can enjoy some sunbathing. However, entering the water of that lagoon is totally inadvisable!
Things to do in Mira and Mira beach
Want to know what to visit in Mira beach region? My recommendation is that you start with the municipality’s best beaches close to the ocean, then go to the center of Mira to visit the Gândara Territory Museum, and finish with a walk or bike ride along the aforementioned cycle-pedestrian path between Barrinha de Mira and Mira Lagoon.
Map | Things to do in Mira and Mira beach
Visit Mira beach and Poço da Cruz beach
The municipality of Mira has 2 main beaches at your disposal. They are Mira beach and Poço da Cruz beach, both of which have the blue flag. The first is a more urban beach, with lots of support infrastructure, and the second is wilder and more natural. I liked them both, and next I highlight the tourist attractions that you’ll find in the vicinity:
- The swing at Poço da Cruz beach, with excellent views.
- The Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, in Mira beach. The chapel was built in 1843 due to the devotion of fishermen and their families, who prayed and still pray to Nossa Senhora da Conceição for protection in their work and life at sea.
- The Fisherman’s Monument, in tribute to those who still practice Xávega Art in Mira beach.
- And the typical “Praia de Mira” lettering next to the sand at Mira beach.
1. Mira beach
2. Poço da Cruz beach
3. Swing at Poço da Cruz beach
4. Fisherman’s Monument in Mira beach
5. Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição in Mira beach
Visit Barrinha de Mira
Near Mira beach, a stroll along the barrinha is unavoidable. I took a walk around this large lagoon that still belongs to Ria de Aveiro, but it’s also possible to hire pedalos for a pleasant stroll along the water.
Considering that you’ll be walking or cycling around Barrinha de Mira, I’d like to highlight the stages in wooden walkways, especially along Barrinha Avenue. On this same avenue, you can visit the Ethnographic Museum of Mira beach – “Palheiros de Mira”, which will share with you the main traditions of the local population, particularly those associated with the sea and Xávega Art. I would highlight, for example, the impressive models of the old haystacks that existed by the sea. 😉
Don’t forget the swings at Barrinha de Mira, the observation posts along the way, the pedestrian bridge full of flowers, and the sea lake, with lots of bungalows belonging to Mira campsite, where you might want to stay overnight. 😉 Search on Booking.
1. Ethnographic Museum of Mira beach – “Palheiros de Mira”
2. Barrinha de Mira Pedestrian Bridge
3. Swings and observatories at Barrinha de Mira
4. Sea Lake
5. Other images of the circular route of Barrinha de Mira
Visit Mira Lagoon and Sítio do Cartaxo
Moving on to Mira Lagoon, further inland in the municipality, Sítio do Cartaxo undoubtedly stands out. It’s a space promoting nature tourism, where you can stop for a snack or a drink, with the lagoon landscape always present.
It’s not possible to walk all the way around Mira Lagoon, but there are walking paths surrounding Sítio do Cartaxo and the Picnic Park. There is a path, connecting the lagoon with Quinta da Lagoa Hotel.
1. Sítio do Cartaxo at Mira lagoon
2. Mira lagoon walkways
3. Other images of Mira lagoon
Walk or cycle along Mira’s cycle-pedestrian path
You can get to know the previous tourist attractions, Mira beach, Barrinha and lagoon, via the cycle-pedestrian path. It is over 25km long and links several of the municipality’s walking routes. To access the map and pdf of the track, go to Mira Town Hall website.
The main highlights of the entire route are that you’ll pass by some picnic parks, such as Calvela Picnic Park and Casal de São Tomé Picnic Park. You’ll also come into contact with the region’s water mills, such as Mira Lagoon Watermills and Fazendeira mills.
I didn’t do the whole trail, but only the route around Barrinha de Mira, then the route around Mira Lagoon, and finally the route from Mira Lagoon to Calvela Picnic park. I was on foot, and therefore avoided some sections I thought were not as interesting.
1. Picnic Parks along Mira’s cycle-pedestrian path
2. Water Mills along Mira’s cycle-pedestrian path
3. Other images of the Mira cycle-pedestrian path
Visit the center of Mira
Finally, I’ll tell you about the center of Mira. I particularly enjoyed the guided tour at the Gândara Territory Museum, where I learned lots of interesting details about the history of the municipality and its main traditions, such as the Carnival Caretos. These caretos are called Cardadores and they take to the streets on Shrove Sunday and Carnival Day, wearing their masks and not very discreet costumes, as well as rattles and noisy bells.
I also really enjoyed the explanation of what a typical Gandaresa house used to look like, and from then on I began to see this style of architecture everywhere, not only in Mira but also in the rest of the territory corresponding to Gândara.
In addition to the aforementioned museum, you should take a stroll through the beautiful Garden of Visconde da Corujeira, where you’ll find a small lake, the Pillory of Mira and the statue of Infante D. Pedro. Nearby you’ll find the Mother Church of São Tomé, which dates back to the late 17th century, the town hall building and the Municipal Square, with its many tile panels depicting important places, professions and traditions in the region.
1. Gândara Territory Museum
2. Pillory of Mira
3. Statue of Infante D. Pedro
4. Garden of Visconde da Corujeira
5. Mother Church of São Tomé
6. Mira Town Hall and Municipal Square
Other Itineraries and Travel Guides in Portugal
- N2 Portugal Road Trip Itinerary
- Madeira Itinerary and Travel Guide
- São Miguel Itinerary and Travel Guide (Azores)
- Terceira Itinerary and Travel Guide (Azores)
- Pico Itinerary in Azores
- Faial Itinerary in Azores
- Minho | Northern Portugal Itinerary
- Porto Itinerary and Travel Guide
- Things to do In Braga (Minho)
- Things to do in Guimarães (Minho)
- Things to do in Viana do Castelo (Minho)
- Peneda Gerês National Park Itinerary
- Douro Valley Itinerary
- Trás-os-Montes Itinerary
- Things to do in Bragança
- Montesinho Natural Park Itinerary
- Douro International Natural Park Itinerary
- Things to do in Aveiro
- Things to do in Coimbra
- Things to do in Leiria
- Things to do in Fatima
- Things to do in Nazaré
- Things to do in Peniche
- Things to do in Évora (Alentejo)
- Things to do in Beja (Alentejo)
- Algarve Road Trip Itinerary
- Things to do in Lagos (Algarve)
- Things to do in Portimão (Algarve)
- Things to do in Faro (Algarve)
- Things to do in Tavira (Algarve)
I hope you enjoyed this article and list of things to do in Mira beach. Have a nice stay in my country! 😉 Tell me about your travels in the comment section bellow.
