Nestled in a narrow valley of the Ceira River, Gois is a charming Portuguese town east of Coimbra. Its centuries-old houses cluster around an arched stone bridge while pine and oak forests blanket the slopes of the surrounding Serra da Lousã.
Things to do in Góis
Spanning the Ceira River is the Ponte Real, an arched bridge built by order of Dom João III in 1533. It is best viewed from the riverside walking trail, with a royal coat of arms decorating the side of the bridge. Nearby is a small beach where you can swim in the summer months, as well as a lovely cafe for soaking up the views.
Nearby is the Igreja Matriz de Góis, a whitewashed Catholic church that has been designated as a National Monument for more than 100 years. It was originally established in 1415 and has been remodelled since, with its 19th-century bell tower standing separately. Step inside to admire the 16th-century paintings that decorate the altar and the elaborately adorned tomb of Dom Luis da Silveira.
For elevated views across the mountains surrounding Gois, climb to the Miradouro Gois Naturally, which is particularly majestic at sunset. It can be reached along a short hiking trail and comes complete with a phone holder so you can easily capture selfies. On the other side of Gois are the elevated wooden trails of the Cerro da Candosa, which takes in a rugged landscape of quartzite cliffs.
Getting around Góis
Gois is around 45 minutes’ drive from Coimbra and 2.5 hours from Lisbon and Humberto Delgado Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Buses connect to Gois and the town is small enough to explore on foot. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the area.