Águeda acts as a border between the sea and the mountains due to its privileged geographical situation, being served by road and rail roads of easy access.
The municipality has cultural and landscape heritage that it is important to preserve in its essence and to boost around the new designs of tourist demand, creating infrastructure and services necessary for its use.
Águeda owes its foundation to the Celts, Túrdulos and Greeks dating back to the year 370 BC. The
antiquity of the occupation of this region is revealed by several megalithic monuments and the Cabeço do Vouga, an important archaeological station located next to the route of the Roman military road that connects Olissipo (Lisbon) to Bracara Augusta (Braga). It is referred to, in 11th century documents, both by its primitive name Casal Loused (lat. Casal Lousato) as by their latinized name anegia, Agatha and Ágada.
There is a point of support for pilgrims who followed the paths of Santiago, including Queen St. Elizabeth.
In 1834, Águeda ascends to the category of county seat, as a result of the liberal revolution giving an administrative reform due to its capital importance in the political-military strategy of the resistance, to the 2nd French invasion, because it had a military hospital that helped the wounded from the battles. Since being elevated to the category of county, Águeda began to have a very busy political life, but was always very well represented by influential names of the land.
Águeda is a municipality full of nooks waiting for you to discover them, where the diversity of its landscapes surrounds you with good gastronomy - the prestigious Leitão da Bairrada has its place of prominence - accompanied by the nectars of the Demarcated Region of Bairrada.
Culture is today an aggregating and enhancing element of numerous social dynamics, as well as a lever for the development of a more creative society, which can generate numerous positive externalities at the level of the local economy and the boosting of urban spaces. Dplays a central role in the attractiveness of a territory as a factor of competitiveness and differentiation, being an indicator of the quality of life and well-being of populations. As such, it will continue to be one of the major bets of the Municipality in promoting and supporting initiatives, projects and actions aimed at the cultural development of the region and the expansion of its potential, as well as the preservation of its cultural identity and cultural exchange in its various forms of expression.
In tourism, the highlight goes to Pateira de Fermentelos - the largest natural lagoon of the Iberian Peninsula, the implemented hiking routes - which take the visitor to the main points of interest of the municipality, museums, churches and other national monuments.
In the various parishes you can also find some granals, watermills or water mills, mansions and several properties of heritage value.
Industrial tourism is a tourist product of high economic and cultural value in the region. Able to attract groups of people interested in knowing the structure of companies, their production units, the form of production and the technology employed, their tradition and national affirmation, is high the playful and historical potential that leads visitors to know the past, the importance and living history of the design and national industry.
As tourism is one of the activities with the greatest growth potential, Águeda invites you to a set of annual initiatives, ranging from cultural, gastronomic and sports events, to hiking trails and cycling routes and the discovery of nature.
The city offers a riverside area that invites you to walking or cycling and various traditional shopping areas, where you can enjoy the regional gastronomy and the typical traditional sweets of Águeda.
The privileged strategic location, close to the main urban centers and rail , maritime and airport transport infrastructures, also contributes to the municipality present itself as an important industrial strategic center, attractive to invest, work, live and also visit.
Source: Águeda Town Hall