#Shale villages (Aldeias de Xisto): Benfeita and Fraga da Pena

Is this post for people with good lungs and high motivation? Yes, because the pedestrian route of Benfeita is for those who like to accelerate the pulse without a personal trainner shouting in their ears. Benfeita is also known as the “white village” of shale villages, due to the color of its houses.

Shale Villages - Benfeita

How to get? Where is Benfeita?

Is located in the center of Portugal at a distance of 178km (~110 miles) from Porto and 276km (~171 miles) from Lisbon and you can only get there by car. You can choose the old fashionable way of "follow the signs" or use the coordinates of GPS: 40º 13 '46' 'N - 7º 56' 40 '' W.

Map available HERE

What to see and visit in Benfeita?

- Peace Tower, Chapel of Senhor dos Passos and Chapel of Santa Rita

On May 7, the village also becomes the "noisiest village" of the shale villages, since the Peace Tower celebrates the end of World War II with 1620 beats.

Shale Villages - Benfeita

- House of the Poet José Simões Dias

Shop with regional products and museum.

What to do in Benfeita?

The course is circular and has 10.4 km (~6 miles, the average duration is 5 hours), so … don’t be a pussy, take a deep breath and be strong. To reward the effort, the tourist with “nice legs” will see small waterfalls and a beautiful natural and protected landscape of the Serra do Açor.

Shale Villages - Benfeita

You MUST see …

The waterfall of Fraga da Pena! The waterfall of 19 meters is undoubtedly a charm, which could not be dependent on a pair of good legs or lungs. So, it is possible to drive to Fraga da Pena (distant from Benfeita - 2km, municipal road M518) and see the waterfall.

Fraga da Pena