Things To Do in Figueira da Foz

Most visitors don't come to Figueira to look at museums, but the Casa do Paço, Largo Prof. Vítor Guerra 4 (tel. 23/340-13-20) is exceptional. It contains one of the world's greatest collections of Delft tiles, numbering almost 7,000; most depict warriors with gaudy plumage. The casa was once the palace of Conde Bispo de Coimbra, Dom João de Melo, who came here in the 19th century when royalty frequented Figueira. It's at the head office of the Associação Comerciale e Industriale, a minute's walk from the main esplanade that runs along the beach. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am–5pm. Admission is 2.45€.

Up the hill, the Museu Municipal Santos Roch, Rua Calouste Gulbenkian (tel. 233 402 840), is a low-rise modern building housing an eclectic collection ranging from medieval sculpture to historic firearms, perhaps the most interesting of which relating to Portugal's colonial past with artifacts from Africa, South America, and Asia. There’s an abundance of Indo-Portuguese furniture resulting from a fusion of styles in the colonial days of the  17th-century. Summer opening Tues–Fri, 9:30am–6pm, weekends  2–7pm. In winter closed all day Sundays and weekdays from 5pm. Admission 2€ adult.

About 3km (2 miles) north of Figueira da Foz, bypassed by new construction and sitting placidly on a ridge near the sea, is Buarcos, a fishing village far removed from casinos and overpopulated beaches. From its central square to its stone seawalls, it remains unspoiled. Take Avenida do Brasil north from Figueira da Foz to get to Buarcos.