I found THIS in the middle of Portugal🤯 And ate goat stomach - Maranhos😬

Описание: Hello guys in this beautiful day!🫡

You will not believe what I found in Central Portugal🇵🇹

Welcome to the middle of Portugal — this is Castanheira de Pêra. It’s a small town surrounded by forests, mountains, and rivers. Super peaceful, super green, and full of places that make you go, “How is this not more famous?”

So, Castanheira de Pêra is both a town and a small municipality in Leiria district. Not a big place, around 66 square km— only about 2,700 people live here in total.

It sits right in the middle of the country. From here:

• Lisbon is about 190 km south.
• Porto is around 165 km north.
• Coimbra is about 55 km west.
• And Leiria is around 75 km southwest.
• And Castelo Branco is 104km

Honestly, it feels like the kind of place you find by accident… and then never want to leave😂

This place is small, but it packs a punch — especially if you like nature and swimming.

First up — Praia das Rocas. It’s Portugal’s largest wave pool! It's a giant artificial lake, a beach vibe, slides, and it even has island. All surrounded by green hills. Kinda surreal🤯

If you want real nature, though, check out these river beaches:

• Poço Corga — a quiet, shady spot with fresh, clear water (This one is highlight of my day🧡)

• Fragas de São Simão — Big rocks, turquoise water, and a little bridge — looks like a postcard. I think this belongs to other municipality, not sure.

• Ana de Aviz — more hidden, more local, great for a peaceful dip

• Ribeira das Quelhas — not just a beach, but a full-on adventure trail with waterfalls, wooden walkways, and amazing views (I tried fo find it, but got lost🤷‍♂️)

There are also little museums like Casa do Tempo and Lagar do Corga, showing what life was like here when this place was all about textile.

🍲 Now let’s talk about the food. This region knows how to feed you — and feed you well.
The most famous dish here is chanfana. But today we eat different kind of food, it will be on extreme side. It is Maranhos👍 Well, hard to explain, so see in the video🫡

Some local snacks and sweets to try:

• Beijos de Peralta — soft cookies with a cute name (literally means “kisses from Peralta”).
• Torresmos com castanhas — crispy pork belly with roasted chestnuts.
• Requeijão — a creamy fresh cheese, usually eaten with a spoonful of honey.

And speaking of honey — don’t miss the local Mel de Urze, made from wild mountain heather. Dark, rich, and amazing on bread. I will try it next time🙂

This town is a dream if you love being outdoors.
There are hiking trails everywhere — through forests, past rivers, up to viewpoints.

There’s also a cool hike up to the old snow wells — stone pits where people used to store snow for the royal family. You can still see them today, along with the little Snow Chapel nearby.

Thinking about staying longer? Here’s the good news — it’s really affordable.

Houses here go for about 900 euros per square meter on average. Even places with land and views are still way cheaper than in the cities.
If you’ve ever dreamed of living in the mountains without emptying your wallet — yeah, this is the spot🏡

For everyday life, the basics are all here.
There’s a school that goes up to 9th grade, a small health center, a dentist, pharmacies, supermarkets, cafés, and local shops. For bigger stuff — like hospitals or high schools — you’d go to Coimbra or Leiria.

It’s calm, it’s quiet, but it has everything you need to live simply.

The weather here is classic inland Portugal🇵🇹

• Summer is hot and dry — often around 30°C or more in July and August.
• Winter is cooler and wetter — about 10 to 14°C in January. Also occasional snow.

You get four seasons, fresh air, and that clean mountain breeze all year round.

What’s great:

• The nature — rivers, trails, waterfalls
• Super quiet and peaceful
• Traditional food and local culture
• Friendly locals
• Cheap housing

What’s not so great:

• It’s small — so not much nightlife or events
• No hospital or high school in town
• Not many jobs unless you work remotely

But if you’re into slow living, fresh air, and natural beauty — Castanheira de Pêra is a hidden gem👌

Quiet, green, and kind of magical. Whether you’re visiting for a day or thinking of staying longer, this little mountain town has a lot more going on than you’d expect🫡

I see you next time!
Tchau!

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