Living in Leiria

Home Living in Leiria

The quality of life felt in Leiria is unique. As a dynamic, young and urban city, Leiria is concerned with the needs of those it welcomes.

Because it’s located by the Atlantic Ocean, the Municipality allows the enjoyment of the coastal area, which offers concerts, sports and other cultural activities, attracting people from all over the region. Alongside these, there are stunning landscapes and places, many of which are accessible via footpaths. These are spaces that can be enjoyed throughout the year, given the mild climate and pleasant temperatures recorded throughout the year in the region.

Pedrogão Beach

Leiria’s Museum

With an enviable cultural and historical heritage to be visited and known, it is proposed to visit the award-winning network of Museums in Leiria, discover the cultural posters of the theaters, not forgetting Leiria’s Castle, ex-libris of the Municipality. Dynamic territory, in Leiria you will find a multitude of activities and events, recorded throughout the year, for the most diverse audiences. Many of these support the nomination of the city as a Creative City of Music by UNESCO in 2019, and also the candidacy for European Capital of Culture 2027.

Sports is also an area that has become increasingly important for the region. Leiria has a wide and diversified network of indoor and outdoor sports facilities for the practice of various sports, including the first inclusive pavilion in the country. Also emphasizing the merit of the associative fabric and civic participation, Leiria was named European City of Sports 2022.

Leiria’s Stadium – Dr. Magalhães Pessoa

In Leiria you will enjoy a high level of individual, family and social well-being, also due to educational and health aspects. Leiria has a qualified workforce, supported by educational institutions that are attractive to national and international students and researchers. Whether in the private or public sector, Leiria hosts a diverse educational offer from pre-school to higher education.

Politécnico de Leiria Institute

The Politécnico de Leiria, public higher education institution, offers extensive training in technological areas, promoting a culture of diversity, inclusion, entrepreneurship and innovation, which has already earned many awards and distinctions. It integrates the Regional University Network, founded within the scope of the European Universities Initiative, thus stimulating the production of knowledge at an international level.

It also has 15 research units, developing its activities in 4 areas of scientific domain – social sciences and humanities, engineering and exact sciences, natural and environmental sciences, life and health sciences – seeking to generate practical and sustained scientific knowledge.

Regarding medical and health services, the Municipality of Leiria provides a considerable number of these spaces and services, either public, supported by the National Health System, or private, which have been investing their presence in the territory.