Discover Santarem: Culture, Nature and Tagus Experiences

Santarem combines an impressive cultural history with distinctive landscapes and a wide range of discoveries. The city lies on a high plateau overlooking the fertile Lezíria and the Tagus Valley. As a result, historic buildings, river landscapes and regional traditions come together within a compact thematic area. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, it is worth considering first whether your trip should focus more on culture, nature, hiking, regional cuisine or special excursion destinations.

Culture between Santarém and Tomar

Several buildings in Santarém tell the story of different eras. The Torre das Cabaças is classified as a national monument and was established for the Núcleo Museológico do Tempo. The 14th-century Torre do Relógio also houses this museum today. Art and archaeology enthusiasts can also discover the Romanesque Igreja de São João do Alporão, which was converted into the Núcleo Museológico de Arte e Arqueologia. Its apse was built in the Gothic style.

The Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Marvila is also a remarkable destination: it combines Manueline inspiration with exemplary 17th-century tilework. The Convento de São Francisco in Santarém dates back to the 13th century. The city can also be explored via themed routes based on the artistic movements that accompanied Santarém’s social and economic development. The Museu de Escultura e Pintura Martins Correia contains more than 600 works, including sculptures, tiles, drawings, prints and medals by the Expressionist artist Martins Correia.

Tomar provides another cultural focus. The Convento de Cristo was founded in 1160 by the Templar Grand Master Gualdim Pais. The historic centre is also home to one of Portugal’s oldest synagogues, complemented by the Museu Luso-Hebraico Abraão Zacuto. Castelo de Almourol stands on an island in the Tagus. According to an inscription at the entrance, its reconstruction work dates from 1171. Together with the castles of Tomar, the Zêzere and Cardiga, it formed the defensive line along the Tagus.

Wetlands, karst landscapes and extraordinary traces

Those who would like to contrast the city’s history with a nature experience will find a freshwater wetland in the Paúl do Boquilobo Biosphere Reserve, located in a bend of the Almonda River. In winter, it is naturally flooded by the Tagus. A different landscape characterises the Parque Natural das Serras de Aire e Candeeiros: the limestone massif is marked by caves and karst features shaped by water and time. The nature park also provides a habitat for 18 species of bats.

Among the most unusual experiences are the Pegadas de Dinossáurio. The Natural Monument preserves several hundred tracks left by four-legged herbivorous dinosaurs. They are 175 million years old and arranged in twenty trackways. The visit follows an educational trail with information panels; guided tours can be arranged in advance. Near Rio Maior, the salt production at the Marinhas de sal-gema can be observed according to methods whose history of use goes back more than eight centuries.

Trails, horses and regional cuisine

For hikers, the Caminho Português de Santiago – Caminho Central is of interest; it is fully signposted from Lisbon onwards. The section from Santarém to Golegã is approximately 30.5 km long. You should take this approximate distance into account when planning your day. Those planning a trip centred on regional traditions can also make a note of the Feira Nacional do Cavalo in Golegã. It takes place in November and includes demonstrations featuring purebred Lusitano horses.

The region also has its own culinary profile. Regional specialities around Santarém include Cozido de carne, Sopa da pedra and Migas ribatejanas. The Tejo Wine Route 118 follows the left bank of the Tagus for approximately 150 km and passes through the seven municipalities of Abrantes, Constância, Chamusca, Alpiarça, Almeirim, Salvaterra de Magos and Benavente.

Places for your further search

For the geographical selection of your holiday apartment, you can also consider the following places individually: Soudos, Beco, Bemposta, Azoia De Baixo, Santo Estêvão, Benavente, Alvega, Martinchel, Amiais de Cima, Torres Novas, Tomar, Samora Correia, Pego, Ourém, Ferreira Do Zêzere, Constância, Alcanena, Mação, São Nicolau, Alpiarça Municipality, Chamusca, Cartaxo, Rio Maior, Golegã, Foros De Salvaterra, Coruche, Entroncamento, Vila Nova Da Barquinha, Almeirim, Abrantes, Monsanto, Cercal Do Alentejo, Urqueira, Santana Do Mato, Santarém, Atalaia, Fazendas de Almeirim, Sardoal, Mação.

To the overarching travel overview: Portugal.