Beyond its natural setting, the town itself is charming. The historic centre has pretty squares, traditional townhouses, and small museums.

Castle of Lousã (Castelo de Arouce)

The Castle of Lousã is a medieval fort that once kept watch over the valley. Today, it looks more like a romantic backdrop than a military necessity, with its stone walls framed by the green slopes of the Serra. Originally, the castle was constructed by the Moors during their occupation of the region in the 10th Century. Paradoxically, the Castle of Lousã, after being rebuilt in the latter half of the 11th century, played a key role in defending the borders of the newly Christianized Portugal. A walk around the castle's well-preserved walls offers visitors amazing views of the river and the forested valley below.

Sanctuary of Senhora da Piedade

Just below is the Sanctuary of Senhora da Piedade, a church that seems to have grown straight from the rock, flanked by picnic spots, chapels, and the tumbling Cascata da Senhora da Piedade—a waterfall beloved by swimmers in summer.
This Carmelite sanctuary includes three chapels: Our Lady of Pity, Saint John and Our Lady of Agony. The sanctuary includes fifteenth-century painted limestone sculptures of São Paio and Saint John the Evangelist.

Praia Fluvial da Senhora da Piedade – River beach and waterfalls

Lousã’s landscapes shimmer with water and legend. The Arouce River winds gently past Lousã Castle, setting the stage for some of the most scenic swimming spots in Central Portugal. The jewel in the crown is the Praia Fluvial da Senhora da Piedade, a natural river beach framed by waterfalls, crystal-clear pools, and schist-built terraces below the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Piedade.

This beloved river beach in Lousã features two natural swimming pools—one for children and another for adults, complete with a schist diving board. Surrounded by shale paving and accessible for all visitors, it’s ideal for picnics and lazy afternoons. Beyond the main beach, Lousã’s mountains hide more treasures. The Cascata da Senhora da Piedade plunges into a cool, shaded basin, while smaller cascades and hidden pools tempt walkers exploring the Serra da Lousã trails.

Nearby gems include the Praia Fluvial de Foz d’Égua, with its postcard-perfect wooden bridge, and the tranquil Praia Fluvial do Cabril do Ceira, perfect for nature walks. Together, these river beaches showcase the refreshing, unspoiled beauty of Lousã, Portugal.

The Serra da Lousã inspires even the most sedentary traveler to reach for their walking boots. This lush mountain range, part of the wider Naturtejo Geopark, is a playground of forests, waterfalls, and winding trails where every bend seems to hide another postcard view. Oak, chestnut, and pine forests carpet the slopes, and in autumn the colours turn so rich you half expect to see painters setting up their easels.

For hikers, the Serra da Lousã is paradise. Well-marked trails lead you past ancient Aldeias do Xisto (Schist Villages) like Talasnal, Cerdeira, and Casal Novo—tiny, slate-built hamlets seemingly frozen in time. Mountain bikers are equally spoiled: the region is one of Portugal’s MTB hotspots, with adrenaline-packed downhill routes and scenic forest tracks that roll on forever.

Nature lovers can chase waterfalls such as the Cascata da Senhora da Piedade, explore the Castle of Lousã, or simply picnic by a river beach with the soundtrack of cicadas. Wildlife watchers might even spot deer, wild boar, or an occasional soaring eagle.The park is home to remarkable wildlife, including roe deer, wild boar, golden eagles, and the endangered Iberian lynx in nearby areas.

And because all that adventure stirs the appetite, local cuisine provides the perfect reward. Expect hearty mountain dishes—chouriça, cabrito assado (roast kid goat), wild boar stew, and honey drizzled over fresh cheese. Wash it down with a robust red wine from the Dão region or a chilled local beer, and you’ll understand why the Portuguese never rush their meals.

Piódão is ensconced on the slopes of the Serra do Açor mountain range, and its jumble of tightly packed houses blends into the landscape. The main building material is the distinctive schist that makes up the bedrock in the region. One striking feature of each building is blue-coloured doors and window frames. According to local legend, blue coloured gloss paint was the only item available in the village store. One structure does stand out, however, the parish church dedicated to Our Lady of the Conception, which is whitewashed and supported by some rather peculiar cylindrical buttresses. It was built and paid for by the residents of Piódão in the early 19th century.

The village's isolation has helped to preserve many of the original age-old features, as well as being the perfect hideaway for outlaws fleeing the authorities. It's believed that one of the murderers of D. Inês de Castro went into hiding here, thus escaping the wrath of D. Pedro I (14th century). Today, Piódão serves as a base camp for hikers keen to explore the rugged beauty of the Serra do Açor.