VILA DE REI
N 39. 67598; W 8.14610
It is the seat of a municipality with an area of 191.55 km² and 3,452 inhabitants (2011), subdivided into 3 parishes. The municipality is limited to the north by the large municipality of Sertã, to the east by Mação, to the south by Sardoal and Abrantes and to the west by Ferreira do Zêzere.
The county is crossed by the National Road N2, the longest road in Portugal, and also enjoys the waters of the Zêzere River, more precisely the Castelo de Bode Albufeira for water intake and bathing activities.
About 2 km is the Geodetic Center of Continental Portugal, in the Serra da Melriça. At the top of this mountain, a landmark about 20 meters high is built, called "Picoto", thus marking the Center at the level of geodesic coordinates.
What to visit
- Penedo Furado Waterfall - Set of natural pools, waterfalls, and trails. In 2019, the Penedo Furado [8] walkways were inaugurated with an extension of 532 meters and allowing easier access to the waterfalls of this place. There are plans to increase the total length of these walkways by creating a 2 km circuit.
- Água Formosa - Schist village. This small village hidden in a valley keeps the original trace clearly visible on the walls of the houses. It currently has half a dozen permanent inhabitants, however, it still cultivates gardens along the riverside that surrounds the village, also taking care of the flowers scattered along the streets that can only be walked on foot and that embellish this place.
- Fernandaires - Castelo de Bode Albufeira, Aldeia, Fluvial Beach. This place of immense natural beauty is visited especially during the summer, allowing activities such as canoeing, stand-up paddle tennis, boat trips, and camping. It is also one of the places belonging to the first Wakeboard resort in Portugal [9] in the Castelo de Bode reservoir, with a Cable Park. It is also a conducive place for fishing both on the banks of the reservoir and by boat, with an annual Achigã harvesting competition taking place here.
- Zaboeira - Albufeira de Castelo de Bode, Village, River Beach. Very calm bathing area with fascinating mountain surroundings and the arched bridge as a background. This bridge connects the municipalities of Vila de Rei and Ferreira do Zêzere.
- Bostelim - Ribeira do Bostelim, Praia Fluvial - Located between the parishes of São João do Peso and Fundada, this beach is surrounded by forest offering the visitor an immersive experience in nature. It is the only river beach awarded the Blue Flag in the district of Castelo Branco, a distinction it received for the 4th consecutive year in 2019, it is still classified as Accessible Beach. This site has facilities for camping and caravanning.
- Pego das Cancelas - Ribeira da Isna, Praia Fluvial - Place away from any village and in perfect communion with nature.
- Poios Waterfalls - Waterfalls, trail.
- Penedo Furado Waterfall - Set of natural pools, waterfalls, and trails. In 2019, the Penedo Furado [8] walkways were inaugurated with an extension of 532 meters and allowing easier access to the waterfalls of this place. There are plans to increase the total length of these walkways by creating a 2 km circuit.
- Água Formosa - Schist village. This small village hidden in a valley keeps the original trace clearly visible on the walls of the houses. It currently has half a dozen permanent inhabitants, however, it still cultivates gardens along the riverside that surrounds the village, also taking care of the flowers scattered along the streets that can only be walked on foot and that embellish this place.
- Fernandaires - Castelo de Bode Albufeira, Aldeia, Fluvial Beach. This place of immense natural beauty is visited especially during the summer, allowing activities such as canoeing, stand-up paddle tennis, boat trips, and camping. It is also one of the places belonging to the first Wakeboard resort in Portugal [9] in the Castelo de Bode reservoir, with a Cable Park. It is also a conducive place for fishing both on the banks of the reservoir and by boat, with an annual Achigã harvesting competition taking place here.
- Zaboeira - Albufeira de Castelo de Bode, Village, River Beach. Very calm bathing area with fascinating mountain surroundings and the arched bridge as a background. This bridge connects the municipalities of Vila de Rei and Ferreira do Zêzere.
- Bostelim - Ribeira do Bostelim, Praia Fluvial - Located between the parishes of São João do Peso and Fundada, this beach is surrounded by forest offering the visitor an immersive experience in nature. It is the only river beach awarded the Blue Flag in the district of Castelo Branco, a distinction it received for the 4th consecutive year in 2019, it is still classified as Accessible Beach. This site has facilities for camping and caravanning.
- Pego das Cancelas - Ribeira da Isna, Praia Fluvial - Place away from any village and in perfect communion with nature.
- Poios Waterfalls - Waterfalls, trail.
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