nature and culture
sport for all
accommodation, gastronomy and experiences
river beaches
starlight tourist destination
open map
plan visit bookinxisto
Communion with nature
Community and nature are the two structural pillars of the Aldeias do Xisto Villages. Nature is ever present, and everything emanates from it. Over time, people's relationship with the land has moulded a cultural landscape that makes the Aldeias do Xisto a unique destination. It is a region with distinctive geophysical characteristics, essentially linked to forests and water and the predominance of schist. It is a mountainous area, where the medium altitude mountain ranges follow one another. The territory contains important natural areas and countless species, making it one of the most important in Portugal in terms of nature conservation. A visit to the Aldeias do Xisto always involves an experience of deep communion with nature.
The People, custodians of identity
The people come first, those who have always lived here and persisted, and those who have fallen in love with the villages and come to live here, not excluding those who visit. The preservation of the heritage, the reconstruction of the houses and the creation of infrastructures and services were designed to provide better living conditions and well-being for the inhabitants and, at the same time, to welcome visitors, allowing them to discover and feel each village and its surroundings. In the Aldeias do Xisto, the enjoyment of nature tourism is inseparable from the way of life of the inhabitants, the institutions and the tourism agents who operate here. This project is from the heart, from people. Those who cross the whole village to inform that there is already water in the levy, who exchange foodstuffs and give away what they have leftover, how offer help to neighbours to pick olives, who share the new wine and olive oil, and who are always with open arms to share all this with those that visit them.
Sport for all
The culture of "sport for all" and the quality of the facilities and information available in the Aldeias do Xisto offer the opportunity to practice a whole range of sports, for both amateur and professional enthusiasts as well as people with special needs. From mountain biking to trail running, canoeing to climbing, whether for a relaxing walk or to test your physical and technical limits, there will always be a suitable trail and specialised support services for you. All the active tourism services available on Aldeias do Xisto’s My Xisto Trails platform, where you can easily and intuitively plan your whole trip.
Aldeias do Xisto are a mountainous area, where the medium altitude mountain ranges follow one another.
From mountain biking to trail running, canoeing to climbing, whether for a relaxing walk or to test your physical and technical limits, there will always be a suitable trail and specialised support services for you.
In the Aldeias do Xisto, the enjoyment of nature tourism is inseparable from the way of life of the inhabitants, the institutions and the tourism agents who operate here.
All the active tourism services available on Aldeias do Xisto’s My Xisto Trails platform, where you can easily and intuitively plan your whole trip.
Bookinxisto – X marks the heart
Bookinxisto is the easiest way to plan your visit to the Aldeias do Xisto and explore the diversity that this territory has to offer. The online booking platform, exclusive to the brand, brings together accommodation, restaurants, experiences, programmes and vouchers. It's easy to mark an X on your map and then quickly and conveniently book your journey. Bookinxisto operates under fair trade rules, with no middlemen or commissions. In other words, the entirety of your booking goes directly to the local partner.
Immerse yourself in discovery
With crystal-clear waters, stunning natural landscapes, pure air, freshness and tranquillity, Aldeias do Xisto’s River Beaches are unique places of leisure and well-being that provide an intimate relationship with nature. The quality of infrastructure, support services, municipal transport and entertainment improves every year. The proof is that this selected set of beaches is awarded the certifications such as the Blue Flag Beach, the Gold Medal of Quercus or the classification of Accessible Beach every year.
Living and evolving culture
The traditional culture of the Aldeias do Xisto is still very much linked to agricultural cycles, the seasons of the year and figurative celebrations. The land and what is taken from it, gastronomy, important dates, legends, myths and religion are at the basis of many of the traditions and undertakings that perpetuate the collective memory, shape cultural identity and reinforce the sense of belonging to the community. Ever evolving and vibrant, this culture is open to the world, welcoming new perspectives on habits and customs. Follow our cultural agenda and keep up to date with all the events.
Ever evolving and vibrant, this culture is open to the world, welcoming new perspectives on habits and customs.
Community and nature are the two structural pillars of the Aldeias do Xisto Villages. Nature is ever present, and everything emanates from it.
Over time, people's relationship with the land has moulded a cultural landscape that makes the Aldeias do Xisto a unique destination.
The traditional culture of the Aldeias do Xisto is still very much linked to agricultural cycles, the seasons of the year and figurative celebrations.
Under the stars
The Starlight Foundation awarded the Aldeias do Xisto Project with the Starlight Tourist Destination international certification. Alongside the excellent conditions of visibility, transparency, darkness and number of nights with clean skies, this accreditation also attests to the commitment of public, private, and scientific bodies, and the readiness and quality of tourist services, augmented by the genuine interest of the resident community.
This combination of factors shapes a new tourist strategy that goes beyond merely observing the sky and becomes a strategic focus that reconciles tourism development with social and environmental sustainability, thus transforming an ostensible weakness in the area into a positively distinctive economic and cultural asset.
Flavours of the Villag
Made by the hands of ancient knowledge, the recipes of the Aldeias do Xisto are served seasoned with the genuine flavour of tradition. The quality of the region's cuisine is evident in many of the network's partner restaurants, which offer the best of local produce and the region's culinary wisdom, in traditional dishes or innovating with contemporary cullinary creations.
The Village is a school
The Aldeias do Xisto are a living laboratory and have been calling on creativity and experimentation to become centres for the transformation of the social fabric that can give rise to new ways of doing, living and being. There is a welcoming and immersive artistic and scientific atmosphere, as well as the technical capacity that allows to experiment or develop projects. Here you can create and learn from old knowledge or develop innovative ideas and projects. Through Bookinxisto you can book workshops and try your hand at weaving, carpentry, pottery, drawing, making bread, cheese or honey, learn to identify the flora and fauna, or sail a traditional boat.
The Seasons
In the Aldeias do Xisto you can feel the change of seasons every day. This slow transformation in the colours, the smells, the landscape becomes perceptible. In spring, the kaleidoscope of life emerging and the mild temperatures are an invitation to enjoy life outdoors and appreciate the living rainbow that covers the landscapes. In summer, there's nothing like diving into one of the more than 50 Aldeias do Xisto river beaches and taking advantage of the various activities organised by our partners, for those long hot days. Autumn brings new colours and flavours. The trees shed their green and explode into various shades of brown, yellow or even red. Chestnuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, strawberry tree fruit and mushrooms enrich the tables and the menus. In turn, winter paints the landscapes white, where the mist mingles with the smoke from the fireplaces that cosy up the houses, creating a magical and fantastic atmosphere. At Bookinxisto, there are several experiences that will enrich your stay, whatever the season.
Spring is a kaleidoscope of life.
In summer, the fresh and clear waters of the river beaches are an invitation to relax.
Autumn is a sublime festival of colours and flavours.
In winter, the white of the snow blends seamlessly with the mist and the smoke from the fireplaces that cosy up the houses.
