Paintshop Hostel

Top choice in The Beiras


Set in a characterful blue house in the old part of town, this excellent hostel is a laid-back, sociable place with excellent facilities for backpackers and surfers. Beds are in colourful, high-ceilinged dorms or quiet private rooms, while communal areas include a kitchen and bar area. Bikes, surfboards and wetsuits are available for hire, and the laundry service (€5) is a godsend for road-weary travellers.

In high season, there are weekly barbecues and other events so you've got an instant social scene, led by the helpful English owners, who offer great advice on everything from biking routes to nightlife.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Beiras attractions

1. Museu Municipal Dr Santos Rocha

0.25 MILES

This modern museum, beside the Parque das Abadias, houses a wonderfully eclectic collection of local archaeological finds, Roman coins, medieval statues,…

2. Praia da Figueira

0.7 MILES

Figueira da Foz's main beach is one of Portugal's largest, a vast expanse of yellow sand. It gets packed to the gills in summer, but has all the services,…

3. Núcleo Museológico do Sal

2.97 MILES

In the wetlands south of the city, this small museum charts the centuries-old history of salt production in the area. Old photos and models illustrate…

4. Serra da Boa Viagem

3.23 MILES

For those with wheels, this wooded headland carpeted in pines, eucalypts and acacias is a fine place for panoramas, picnics and cool walks. To get there…

5. Castelo do Montemor-o-Velho

9.31 MILES

Perched atop a rugged hilltop, this medieval castle dominates the surrounding landscape. Originally dating to the 10th century, it was the scene of much…

6. Conímbriga Roman Ruins

19.59 MILES

Set in the lush countryside southwest of Coimbra, this is Portugal’s largest and most impressive Roman site. Ancient Conímbriga was an important city in…

7. Convento de Santa Clara-a-Nova

22.43 MILES

On the west side of the river, this imposing convent was built in the 17th century to replace the original Convento de Santa Clara-a-Velha, which often…

8. Jardins da Quinta das Lágrimas

22.58 MILES

According to legend, this lovely pocket of parkland is where Dona Inês de Castro (aka Portugal's Juliet to the Infante Pedro's Romeo) was murdered on the…