Leça
da Palmeira is a bustling seaside resort located a short drive
north of Oporto, Portugal’s second largest city.
Traditionally a fishing town, the population swells during the
summer months on account of its long sandy beach.
The town is also popular for its numerous high-quality fish
and seafood restaurant dotted along the coast road. What to see. Bordering the south side of the
town, the large port of Leixões was first constructed
in 1884 to the plans of Nogueira Soares and greatly enlarged
in 1932. Today it is one of the busiest ports in Portugal.
The star-shaped Leça da Palmeira Fortress (also known
as Matosinhos Castle) is a 16th century fortified monument situated
close to the seafront.
Nearby, the Piscina das Marés is a family-friendly swimming
pool carved out of the beach rocks and refilled with seawater
during high tide. Nearby. A short drive away stands the gothic
church of Leça do Balio, which was founded as a monastery
for both men and women in 986. In 1115, after the first crusade,
it became the headquarters of the Knights Hospitallers. The
interior features a baptismal font carved by Diogo Pires the
Younger in 1514.
