The village of Vila Nova do Ceira

Vila Nova do Ceira is an attractive large village located 6km down the Ceira valley from Gois. The old name for V.N. Ceira is “Varzea” which means “fertile valley”, and gives a good idea of the luxuriance of the area


At the centre of the village is a large square, built around the church of S.Pedro; and clustered around the square are the shops and cafes of the village, where you can sit in the sun and watch the world go by.


Close to the village is one of the best swimming beaches in the area, the Praia Fluvial das Canaveias, which has plenty of open and shaded space for picnicking, and an excellent café-bar. This spot is used as an occasional venue for entertainment events in the summer months.


The river Ceira is joined by the river Sotao about 1km west of V.N. Ceira, then passes through a most spectacular gorge, 100m deep: the Cerro da Candosa. The river forms a natural pool for swimming in this amazing and dramatic setting. Above the gorge sits the little church: Ermida de Nostra Senhora da Candosa, from which are stunning views across the gorge and down the valley.


This area is surrounded by wooded hills, and V.N. Ceira makes an excellent base for walking, fishing, mountain-biking and horse-riding. There is a riding centre in the locality that runs horse-riding holidays.