Loures: Nature, Wine and Culture in the Lisbon Surroundings

Loures lies in the surroundings of Lisbon and reveals a diverse side of the region shaped by saloio traditions. In the past, the vegetable gardens supplied nearby Lisbon with vegetables and fresh produce. Today, Loures combines nature experiences, museums, wine production, historic routes and seasonal events. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home can make their preferred focus the starting point for choosing a location: landscapes and outdoor activities, culture and history, or wine and regional cuisine.

Between Wetlands, Forest and River

Loures offers several different settings for walks and nature observation. The Passadiços do Tejo form a 6.1-kilometre walking and cycling route between Santa Iria de Azóia and Sacavém. The route crosses wetlands and includes bridges, tunnels and viewpoints for birdwatching and views of the Tagus. Those who enjoy exploring on foot can incorporate this information directly into their daily itinerary without equating the route with a specific walking time.

At Cabeço de Montachique, the Parque do Cabeço de Montachique covers 32 hectares of diverse woodland. The panoramic swing is situated at an altitude of 409 metres and offers a 360-degree view across the Lisbon region as far as Almada and the Serra de Sintra. Birdwatching, walks, educational activities and nature tourism are the focus at Parque da Várzea e Costeiras. Another option is the Estação da Biodiversidade de Fontelas, with a roughly 1-kilometre hiking trail and nine information panels about the local fauna and flora. Visitors can also record, identify and share species there using the “RIPAR” method.

Culture, Industrial History and Historic Routes

The Museu Municipal de Loures has been located in the Quinta do Conventinho since 1998, a Franciscan monastery of the Arrábida Province founded in 1574. The museum offers exhibitions, guided tours, accompanied visits, accessible storage areas, a shop and a chapel. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 18:00; it is closed on Mondays and public holidays. These fixed opening hours make it easier to reliably combine a day of culture with other activities.

In Sacavém, the Museu de Cerâmica de Sacavém is dedicated to the heritage of the former Fábrica de Loiça de Sacavém and its importance to the industrialisation of the municipality of Loures. The museum is housed in a purpose-built building on the former factory site. Two exhibition rooms and Forno 18, an example of kiln architecture, reveal different aspects of this history.

The Rota Memorial do Convento passes through Loures and links historical and landscape monuments from the 18th century between Lisbon and Mafra. At the same time, it is a tribute to José Saramago. On the route’s interactive map, you can select places to visit and follow the geographical lines of the novel. A section of the pilgrimage route to Fátima and Santiago also runs along the Trancão River near Sacavém: this almost level section is 5.8 kilometres long.

Wine and Saloio Traditions

Loures is also a destination for visitors who want to discover wine and regional flavours. Bucelas wine is produced in Loures in a wine-growing area that has been officially delimited since 1911. The permanent exhibition at the Museu do Vinho e da Vinha presents the key stages of vineyard work and traditional winemaking methods. The Rota dos Vinhos de Bucelas, Carcavelos e Colares offers visits to wineries in Bucelas and wine tastings.

For wine tastings with an additional regional connection, Bucelas à Prova offers guided tastings and saloio products. By prior arrangement, Quinta da Murta offers visits to the vineyards and winery with wine tastings, optionally accompanied by petiscos. The Centro de Interpretação da Rota Histórica das Linhas de Torres has been located in the same building as the Museu do Vinho e da Vinha since March 2012. It covers the period of the French Invasions and the construction of the fortifications built to defeat Napoleon’s armies.

The events calendar also has its own highlights: the Carnaval Saloio de Loures takes place in February and includes the presentation of the carnival kings, balls, parades and a closing ceremony on Ash Wednesday. In July, the Festival do Caracol Saloio invites visitors to try original dishes made with snails and other gastropods.

Which Starting Point Suits Your Trip?

Travel planning can also play a role: the municipality of Loures is served by CP trains on the line to Azambuja and by the red line of the Lisbon Metro. When looking for a holiday apartment in Loures, it may be helpful to decide beforehand whether you mainly want to include nature trails, museums, wine tastings or events in your itinerary.

For further location options, you can also visit the pages for Santa Iria De Azóia, Prior Velho, Loures, Sacavém, Camarate, Portela, São João da Talha and Bucelas.

To the higher-level travel overview: Lisbon.