Aldeias do Xisto

Aldeias do Xisto (Schist Villages) is a territorial brand and tourism development network encompassing 28 traditional villages built in schist stone, spread across the Serra da Lousã, Serra do Açor, Zêzere and Tejo-Ocreza regions of central Portugal. The initiative is coordinated by ADXTUR – Agência para o Desenvolvimento Turístico das Aldeias do Xisto, which works to preserve the region's cultural landscape while fostering responsible, community-rooted tourism. The network connects local accommodation, restaurants, craft shops and outdoor experiences through Bookinxisto, an online booking platform, and MyXistoTrails, a portal dedicated to hiking, cycling and trail-running routes such as the Grande Rota do Zêzere (GR33). Visitors can explore river beaches, panoramic roads, dark-sky stargazing sites like the Geoscope de Fajão, and cultural heritage including chapels, churches and traditional religious circuits. Gastronomy plays a central role, with dishes such as chanfana, cabrito estonado, maranhos and tigeladas reflecting the deep connection between the villages, their agricultural cycles and seasonal traditions. A dedicated network of shops sells handmade crafts and genuine local products, directly supporting the families who keep these traditions alive. Cultural and community programming — including music festivals, cinema under the stars, and the newly launched OPAx (Orquestra Popular das Aldeias do Xisto) — brings together territory, heritage and people. Through this blend of nature, culture, gastronomy and active tourism, Aldeias do Xisto positions itself as a model for regenerative, low-impact rural tourism in Portugal, strengthening local livelihoods while protecting a unique cultural and natural landscape.