The Sicó Limestone Massif
The landscape surrounding our refuges is shaped by stone — the Sicó limestone plateau, with its trails, natural sinkholes and viewpoints over the valley. It is a territory for walking slowly, breathing deeply and rediscovering silence.
On the Camino de Santiago
Ansião and Alvaiázere are crossed by the Camino Português Central — the main Way of St. James in Portugal, and the second most walked route in the world. Along the way, in Santiago da Guarda, stands the church dedicated to St. James the Greater and the Paço dos Vasconcelos, which holds a scallop shell inside; tradition says that Queen Saint Isabel herself walked this route. Both Casa Pregueira and Casa das Vendas sit directly on this path — a natural stopping point for those walking to Santiago de Compostela.
See the full route map →
Flavours with a Name and an Origin
From the Chícharo bean of Alvaiázere to Rabaçal cheese, this is a region that still cooks with products that have a name, an origin and a season. It's worth seeking out the local table — it's another way of getting to know the land.
Discover Paladares da Aveleira, artisan cheese from the region →Stone Villages
Places where time runs slower and the architecture tells a story — the villages around Ansião and Alvaiázere hold on to a preserved Portugal, far from mass tourism.