Vila Nova da Barquinha

Central Portugal is fast becoming a popular destination for tourists looking to see more of 'real' Portugal.

The green heart of Portugal is as it's name suggests green most of the year round with thousands of hectares of pine and eucalyptus forests covering  huge swathes of it's gentle hills and mountains, fed by numerous rivers and streams which run through it's borders.

Steeped in history, central Portugal has a plethora of historic towns, cities and monuments, some of which are UNESCO listed.

In addition to the natural beauty of the region there are a number of man-made attractions which are worthy of a visit. But what will truly stand out in central Portugal is the warmth of welcome you will receive whether you are visiting for the first or 101st time.

1.  Take up the Templar Trail at Tomar and see the Convento de Cristo

Heralded as the last edifice constructed by the mysterious monastic order, the Knights Templar, the Convento de Cristo and Castelo Templário (Templar Castle) in Tomar, makes for an interesting and educational day out.

The Convento, extended and enhanced over the centuries, dominates the Tomar skyline and is a must for lovers of all things Templar. Open daily the Convento and Castelo, which began construction in 1160 under the orders of Gualdim de Pais, are on a large scale.

It can take some time to navigate your way through it's many halls, cloisters and chapels and it is worth setting aside a full day to visit, perhaps packing a picnic which you can enjoy in the grounds.

2. Learn to surf on some of Portugal's best beaches

Portugal has some of the best and consistent swells in Europe making it a paradise for surfers and if you fancy learning how to wax your board and take the plunge, why not head to the Silver Coast (Costa da Prata) to learn to surf.

The Silver Coast has plenty of surfing beaches, some ideal for beginners and there are plenty of surf schools to help teach you the dos and don'ts when it comes to surfing.

You can chose to either book a block of lessons or take individual schooling. Some surf schools offer accommodation and equipment hire, but if you do decide to learn to surf in Portugal be prepared for some early mornings.

Due to the tidal system swells are generally better early in the morning and late at night.

3.  Visit Portugal's Largest Cave Network at Mire de Aire

The largest cave system in Portugal, the Grutas de Mira de Aire, were discovered in the 1940s but were only opened to the public nearly three decades later.

The cave network is illuminated by over 3,000 lights and the specially created walkways ensure you can see a good proportion of the stalactites and stalagmites as well as the underground river, Rio Negro before resurfacing thanks to two large elevators.

The caves are open daily and guides provide tours on an hourly basis. Parking is plentiful adjacent to the cave entrance and there is a handy cafe and petting zoo where you can keep the kids happy until it's time to delve into the underground. The Grutas de Mira de Aire also have a water park at the exit.

4. Pan for Salt instead of Gold at Rio Maior

Take a look at the salt flats of Rio Maior (Salinas de Rio Maior), where you can get a guided tour of the salt pans, but also watch workers as prepare salt crystals for sale.

At Rio Maior most salt pans are privately owned and tended to with workers scrapping off the crystals during the summers months, then laid out to dry further.

5.  Canoe down the Rio Mondego or Rio Zêzere

If you enjoy splashing about in the water then why not sign up for a river safari on either the Rio Mondego or Zêzere? Canoe safari's are a great way to see a different view of central Portugal and can also keep you fit.

Trips cost from 15€ per person and can sometimes include lunch, though remember to pack your sun tan lotion as you are more prone to burning due to the reflection of the water.

6. Candy Striped Houses at Costa Nova

The seaside town of Costa Nova, west of Aveiro, is a great place to visit with or without children.

The town, famous for it's colourful stripped wooden houses, has plenty of wide sandy beaches, children's play parks, large promenades and a plethora of restaurants providing tasty, freshly caught sea food.

7.  Sun and Ski at Serra de Estrela

Although the season is relatively short at Portugal's only ski resort at Torre on the Serra de Estrela mountain in central Portugal, there are runs for all abilities. And if you don't fancy testing your skiing ability you can always opt to try out the sledging run, situated adjacent to the cafe and restaurant complex. Outside of the ski season the Serra de Estrela mountain is a stunning place to visit with lots of interesting towns, villages and scenic walks to explore.

8. Enter into the Festive Spirit and visit one of the region's many Festas

The Portuguese like to party and will find just about any excuse to hang out the bunting, get the barbecues burning and enjoy themselves. And in central Portugal you will find a vast array of festivals celebrating anything from Saint's Days to the harvest of crops.

Probably the largest festival in central Portugal though is the Festa dos Tabuleiros, held once every four years in Tomar. The festival can last up to two weeks and is a lively affair culminating in a four hour long procession with over 600 girls carrying 'trays' atop their heads, quite a feat in the July heat.

The festival season usually runs throughout spring, summer and into the autumn and there is even a festival devoted to Chocolate held at the medieval town of Óbidos.

9.  Take a Tour of the Oceanarium at Lisbon, Portugal

If you want to get closer to the underwater world, but don't have the nerve or time to take your SCUBA diving license then why don't you take the family to Lisbon's Oceanarium?

Situated in the Parque da Nações and adjacent to the Rio Tejo, the Oceanarium has a fascinating range of aquatic life on show providing an insight into all things underwater. Open daily and with regular, feature exhibits, the Oceanarium is ideal to visit as a couple or with family especially if it's raining outside.

10. Listen to Fado in Lisbon or Coimbra

The melancholy music of Fado is renowned in Portugal and the classical style sung in the city of Coimbra while the more mainstream version is sung in Lisbon. However you don't just have to visit either of these cities to enjoy Fado as there are hundreds of venues up and down the country which host regular Fado nights and sometimes daytime events. Watch out for posters in cafes or pick up an agenda of events from the local tourist office to find out more details.