When travelling to Portugal many of us head for the Algarve and its multitude of stunning resorts.
Or we might decide to visit one of Portugal’s vibrant major cities, such as Lisbon and Porto.
Yet just off the beaten track is a city with a charming secret that makes a visit more than worthwhile if you happen to be in the area during the summer.
Águeda is located in Central Portugal and 23km east of the “Portuguese Venice”, Aveiro.
The city has become world famous for its colourful hanging umbrellas that have become a regular feature since 2011.
It was during the famous annual Ágitagueda Art Festival that the Umbrella Sky Project first appeared.
Every summer, Sextafeira designs a handful of the city’s narrow streets with colourful umbrella canopies that provide shade for the pedestrians passing through.
Rooftop cables are strung with numerous parasols that help cool the roadways in a creative and cost-effective way.
The sea of umbrellas forms a unique geometric pattern overhead as well as changing shadows on the roadway below.
The umbrellas are on display from the beginning of July until the end of September.
Sextafeira emerged in 2004, claiming they were using “guerrilla” marketing techniques to reach “hearts and minds”.
The designers say they are trying to bring life and protection to public spaces.
The city plays host to the AgitÁgueda art festival in July as well, when the city is transformed into a giant open-air stage.
Benches, lamp posts and building facades are covered by beautiful works of street art, with musicians performing outdoor concerts throughout the month.
Just outside the city is the lagoon Pateira de Fermentelos, the biggest natural one in the Iberian Peninsula with an area of about five square kilometres.
A large part of the lagoon is covered with a huge carpet of violet flowersm creating a breathtaking sight.
Source: express.co.uk