Villas in Beira

Both. Beira runs from the Atlantic beaches around Aveiro to the Serra da Estrela near the Spanish border. Most of our homes are on the coast near Aveiro and Costa Nova, with a smaller number in the inland hill towns.

Porto. It is about an hour's drive from Aveiro and Costa Nova, and there are trains from Porto's Campanhã station. Lisbon is around two and a half hours away by car.

It is cold, even in August, and the Atlantic swell can be strong. Swim at lifeguarded beaches. Families often use the calmer lagoon side at Costa Nova, which is sheltered from the waves.

Yes. Espinho is around half an hour from Porto by train, and Aveiro about an hour. From the inland towns it is a long day out, at around two hours each way by car.

Walking in the Serra da Estrela and the Serra do Açor, swimming at river beaches, visiting schist villages like Piódão and tasting Dão wine around Nelas. The Passadiços do Paiva boardwalk at Arouca is a popular day out.

Yes, most winters, usually between December and March. There is a small ski area near the Torre, the highest point in mainland Portugal. Snow cover varies a lot from year to year, so don't plan a ski holiday around it.

In most places, yes. Aveiro and Espinho are on the railway and walkable, but beach homes, the Coimbra side and the inland towns are spread out, with infrequent buses.