From the coast inland, this is a district with a wide variety of places to visit, with different sceneries, monuments and customs.
On the coast, for example, Peniche is a busy fishing town, where you can enjoy the thrills of deep-sea fishing, great seafood restaurants and also take a boat to visit the small, rocky islands of the Berlengas, a natural reserve surrounded by transparent waters.
Nazaré is another fishing town with a spectacular beach, lying below deep cliffs, where fisherman still stretch their nets on the sand and wear checked shirts, and their wives several layers of petticoats.
From the quiet charm of the city of Leiria, with its ancient castle, you can drive to the magnificent abbey of Batalha, a masterpiece of gothic arquitecture. Another abbey to visit lies in Alcobaça, with its simple, medieval lines and immense church, dating from 1153.
Caldas da Rainha is famous for its popular and often humorous ceramics, while Marinha Grande is known for its glass industry.
Also don't miss Óbidos, an enchanting whitewashed town built within castellated walls from the 14th century.