Schist Villages at Lousa Mountain
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
The Veado Verde / Green Deer challenges you to live an experience in the
Lousa Mountain. Come with us and visit the beautiful and picturesque Schist Villages of Lousa Mountain. We will pass thru forests of pines, chestnut trees, oaks and beeches where we can find deer, wild boars, foxes and squirrels. It´s a wonderful and rewarding experience that includes offroad activities, hiking and visiting the shale villages. It's a 4 hour tour (or 8 hour tour) with Coimbra as the pickup point. Get ready, the beauty of this mountain will leave you amazed!
Additional Info
Specialized infant seats are available
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
A maximum of 10 people per booking
What To Expect
Cerdeira is a magical place. At the entrance to the village, a small bridge leads us to a handful of houses peeping through the foliage. It seems like we are crossing the portal to a fantasy world. Everything appears perfect in this deeply romantic setting. The slate path points the way to a spring hidden among lush vegetation. Between steep slopes rent by watercourses tumbling down from higher up, Cerdeira nestles in the most bucolic of surroundings. This is a village that art and creativity have helped to refound. Indeed, at certain times of the year, the village becomes alive with events that combine art and botany.
Benefiting from the ease of access provided by the National Highway, Candal is generally regarded as the most developed of the mountain villages and is one of the most visited. Its inhabitants are used to being joined by holiday and weekend visitors who flock here in search of pure air and good company.
Options
Afternoon Tour
Optional: Hotel, Hostel or Guest House paid locally. Duration: 4 hours Optional: Pic-nic or restaurant paid locally 4WD Toyota LandCruiser Afternoon tour: Come with us and live an unforgettable experience in Lousa mountain visiting the schist villages ! Pickup included
Morning Tour
Optional: Hotel, Hostel or Guest House paid locally. Duration: 4 hours Optional: Pic-nic or restaurant paid locally 4WD Toyota LandCruiser Morning tour: Come with us and live an unforgettable experience in Lousa mountain visiting the schist villages ! Pickup included
Full Day Tour
Optional: Hotel, Hostel or Guest House paid locally. Duration: 8 hours Optional: Pic-nic or restaurant paid locally. 4WD Toyota LandCruiser Full day tour: Come with us and live an unforgettable experience in Lousa mountain visiting the schist villages ! Pickup included
What‘s Included
One souvenir photo
Binoculars
Driver/guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option selected)
Professional photographer guide
Meals as per itinerary (L=lunch, D=dinner) are optional and paid separately on site.
All activities
Transport by private vehicle
Food and drinks, unless specified
Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Pickup points
Hotel Quinta do Viso
Quinta do Viso Miranda do Corvo Portugal
NH Coimbra Dona Ines
Rua Abel Dias Urbano 12, Coimbra Portugal
Vila Gale Coimbra
Rua Abel Dias Urbano 20, Coimbra Portugal
HD - Duecitania Design Hotel
Quinta da Fabrica, Ponte do Espinhal Penela Portugal
Hotel Oslo Coimbra
Avenida Fernao de Magalhaes 25, Coimbra Portugal
ibis Coimbra Centro
Avenida Emidio Navarro N_70, Edificio Topazio Coimbra Portugal
Hotel Astoria
Avenida Emidio Navarro 21, Coimbra Portugal
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
131 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent afternoon in the schists!
KarenE,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Gorgeous landscapes up in the mountains near Coimbra! Alfredo was an informed and pleasant guide who drove us the whole way, talking to us about the land, people, recent fire, how the villages are being transformed, etc. Definitely wear good outdoor shoes (not sandals) to climb all the staircases (as many or little as you want) to explore the winding pathways of the villages. We stopped in a little cafe up there, also at an artists shoppe, and were completely on time of four hours. Excellent pictures taken and a reprieve from the museums, buildings, traffic, tourists in town. Lovely!
The experience visiting...
Jane H,May 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The experience visiting the schist villages was incredible. What a spectacular day. Each of the 3 villages we visited was a little different so we got a good variety. Our guide, Alfredo, was delightful and full of local knowledge to help us understand the area and the history of the villages.
Morning tour of Schist Villages
Julie S,Apr 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had an enjoyable morning touring the Schist Villages with our guide Alfredo. Alfredo was very knowledgeable about the region and its history. He was also good navigating the steep and windy roads! The villages are stunning and a look into how past peoples lived and of course many of the cottages are being restored and are able to be rented. We stopped at our final village and ordered espresso and the local liquor before heading back to Coimbra. Fun morning!
Awesome Tour!!
Susan Z,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00What an absolutely AMAZING day exploring the Schist Villages! 🏡✨ I had the most wonderful guide, Veado Verde - incredibly knowledgeable, super friendly, and genuinely passionate about the region. He shared so many fascinating stories, history, and local insights that I never would have discovered on my own. But what made it truly special was how personalized everything felt. It honestly seemed like the entire tour was customized just for me, at my pace and based on what I was most interested in. The villages themselves are stunning, peaceful, and full of character — like stepping back in time. I’m so grateful for such a memorable experience and highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting the area. A perfect day from start to finish! 💛
Schist villages' history and beautiful setting
Ann G,Oct 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Alfredo offered us a rich history and the current activity of the Schist villages and gave us time to explore each one at our own pace over the course of the morning and afternoon. We vicariously enjoyed his warm connection with people wherever we went. It was good to stop for a local snack and lunch together. Alfredo is also skilled in spotting wild animals. The area is so beautiful and we were happy that he was doing the driving and not us!
Unique and beautiful
Jennifer G,Oct 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Very unique experience with a knowledgeable guide. Highly recommend the 1/2 day experience for anyone with time to explore the region in more depth.
Schist Villages
Kathy G,Oct 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We loved our Schist Village tour with Alfredo. It was such an interesting day learning of all the history here. Learning that they are trying to restore these historical buildings made us happy to hear. If you want to visit somewhere other than the typical tourist areas and like to see and feel history, this is the tour you are looking for. Make sure you wear sturdy walking shoes, you’ll be traveling the paths generations from the past built.
Mountain Villages
Terre R,Sep 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Loved visiting the villages. Alfredo was a great guide with lots of interesting information about the villages. Also, he was very patient with us regarding my mix-up with the pick-up point.
Alfredo (with Veado...
Martin P,Sep 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Alfredo (with Veado Verde/Green Deer) gave us an excellect, relaxed tour of three Schist villages. Very knowledgeable and charming. Great views and we are glad we included this excursion during our stay in Coimbra.
Great change of pace from the city, excellent value, and wonderful host
B1056EEgregh,Sep 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Alfredo was very knowledable and personable. He clearly has a passion for this region and did his best to showcase it. For the hospitality, information, and the sites, the excursion was an excellent value. The villages were an interesting change from the cities we had been visiting. He explained that these villages were all nearly or completely abandoned before being revitalized for tourism. Though you're not seeing 100% "natural" villages, they are not overtly touristy for the most part, so don't let that stop you. Afterall, if it weren't for tourism, you'd likely not be seeing them at all, or you'd just be seeing ruins. He had to take us to some "alternate" villages do to road closures after recent wildfires. This may have been a benefit afterall, as Vaqueirinho is not on the itinerary and might have been the most interesting to me. You might consider asking him if he recommends stopping there in place of one of the others. It showed the least signs of tourism (not counting Cadaval Cimeiro, which is still very much a ruin) . Talasnal was easily the most touristy of those we visited, but still charming. The tasty liquours and pastries, and the excellent panaramic views to and from the village, made it very worthwhile. Gondramez was between the two in terms of a tourist feel, not counting the resort with pool at the far end of the village.
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Operated by Veado Verde / Green Deer