Piodao Village in Portugal: The most well-kept shist village

The village of Piodão, located on Açor Mountain, near Estrela Mountain in the centre of Portugal, has a rich history that dates back centuries far away. It is a historic village that maintains its original design, essentially using schist in its houses.

Located on the edge of a valley, surrounded by a mountainous environment, Piodão is today a tourist destination due to the excellent condition in which most of its houses are located.

The proximity to other tourist attractions, such as Foz d’Égua or Estrela Mountain, visits this village must be on our pocket list when travelling to this region of Portugal. It is an area worth visiting for a few hours or, if you can, staying longer in a schist house to relax and fully enjoy the calm and serene environment of a mountain village.

Piódão is located a few miles from the city of Covilhã or even Fundão.

History

Originally, Piodão was inhabited by prehistoric communities, as evidenced by archaeological remains in the region. It’s having gained importance during the Muslim occupation of the Iberian Peninsula.

Over the centuries, Piodão remained a rural community, dedicated mainly to agriculture and pastoralism, as was the case mostly in mountain villages in Portugal.

What sets Piodão apart from the other villages is its peculiar architecture, with schist houses stacked on a steep slope, which reflects the adaptation of its residents to the mountainous environment.

In our days, Piodão is recognized as one of the Historical Villages of Portugal, preserving its cultural and architectural heritage. The entire village has kept its slate houses and the matching coloured paintings on the windows and doors make it special.

The best time to visit Piodão

In this case, it will always depend on your objectives. Visiting Piodão during the warmer months can be very interesting if you want to enjoy the small river beach there and also the waterfalls and river beaches in nearby places and villages. Temperatures can be quite high and therefore, going for a swim is quite desirable.

If you wish, you can and should visit the village during the colder months and take advantage of its proximity to Estrela Mountain. If you’re lucky, it may snow and you can join these two experiences.

How to arrive to Piodão

Piodão is located next to the EM508-1 between Oliveira do Hospital and Covilhã city.

The distances are:

• From Oliveira do Hospital it is 30 miles and after travelling along the N17 and N230 you must follow the M508 and finally the M508-1.
• From Covilhã it is 66 miles along the N338 and ER 339.

Where sleep

Accommodation in Piodão is predominantly local accommodation. It is an excellent opportunity to stay in a schist house, inside the village and in this way experience the rurality of this place. You can, however, choose the Inatel Foundation Hotel, completely made of schist, located in front of the village.

See more accommodations

What you can see in Piodão

Piodão is a small village and its streets and houses follow the steep slope of the mountain. The best way to get to know the village is to walk through its narrow streets and admire the traditional houses made of slate and with slate roofs, which blend in, although chaotically, harmoniously with the mountainous environment that surrounds it.

Nossa Senhora da Conceição Church

The church stands out from the rest of the village, as it is the only building painted white. Come in and visit this 16th-century church, located right next to the central square, with its simple architecture and interior rich in details.

Food and Crafts

Crafts are very present in the village. Right in the main square, there are several shops where you can buy typical regional handicrafts, try some liqueurs and also enjoy the local cuisine.

Like the village, the few restaurants are small and very popular with tourists. So, some advice is to arrive early and try to reserve your spot. The two most popular restaurants we didn’t get a table at on our visit are Solar dos Pachecos and Fontinha.

Pedestrian Routes

In this area, the road trip is magnificent, but there is nothing better than getting involved with nature through a walk. There are many routes to choose from that take us along the watercourse to neighbouring villages.

The most popular is the PR3 AGN from Piódão to Foz d’égua with a length of 6 km, Foz d’égua is a small village where the junction of two watercourses and the schist houses make the place very beautiful. It’s a place for lots of photos for your social networks.

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What to do and visit near Piodão

Many places in the surrounding area are worth a visit. From viewpoints to river beaches, there is plenty to choose from. The most prominent places are:

• Foz d’Égua: a short distance from Piodão, this charming village, as already mentioned, is known for its streams and the formation of a natural pool, offering a peaceful and scenic 5-star refuge.
• Chãs de Égua: Another neighbouring village, with its schist houses and rural setting, providing an authentic view of mountain life.
• Miradouros Naturais: There are many existing ones. For example, the Penedo da Saudade viewpoint has stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

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