Schist Villages | 27 Stone villages in the mountains | Portugal Outside
Schist Village

27 Stone villages in the mountains

Schist villages are one of the most recent attractions in Portugal. More and more tourists are starting discovering the beauty of these forgotten little villages that are hidden between some high-density forests in the middle of the mountains. Schist villages are the choice of many people, to have a different kind of vacation. Here they can relax and enjoy the contact with nature and local people.

27 Schist villages for you to discover

In case you’re in need of a couple of days away from your daily routines. This is a place where you can enjoy life. You’ll find good weather, beautiful scenery, and direct contact with nature. You definitely need to schedule a visit to one of the 27 schist villages in Portugal.

Schist house in one of the 27 schist villages.
Schist house in one of the 27 schist villages.

Spread over 4 different regions in Portugal – Serra da Lousã, Serra do Açor, Zêzere, and Tejo-Ocreza, these 27 schist villages have plenty to offer. You can choose to live among the locals for a couple of days. You’ll find it’s a unique opportunity to discover old traditions and customs. And in case you love good food, this is the place to visit. After all, you’ll enjoy some of the most traditional recipes from Portuguese cuisine that every generation passes to the next.

Each one of these 27 schist villages has a unique and amazing story. So, don’t be surprised if you spot a castle in the middle of the mountains. And take your time to visit a monument or a museum.

Attractions for everyone at the schist villages region!

Even though it may be interesting to know part of the history behind each schist villages, there are also many other things that you can do. With many trails that you can do on foot following the “Caminhos de Xisto”, you’ll probably end up discovering a river beach with the most crystalline water where you can bathe as well as you can enjoy some water sports. You can also do these trails by bike.

Happy trekkers visiting schist villages region
Happy trekkers enjoying a beautiful scenery in schist villages region.

The available water sports that you can take advantage of include slide, rappel, canoeing, among others.

While tourists mostly know Portugal because of the Algarve beaches and even by the golf resorts. The truth is that schist villages are attracting a lot of tourists from all generations. And in fact, all these little-hidden villages have something to offer to everyone. No matter the age or preferences. Above all, visiting schist villages (one or several) is a journey that you will never forget because of the beauty.

One of the things that tend to attract so many people is the fact that this visit can almost be seen as a return to the past where you can take advantage of the new technologies and have a lot of fun. No matter if you’re thinking about coming with family or friends. You can be sure that you’re going to love these little villages.