Quinta Do Anjo: Hiking, Pilgrimage and Caves

Quinta Do Anjo combines a scenic circular route with pilgrimage traditions, distinctive architectural history and artificial caves. This gives you a choice of different focuses when planning your trip: a hike through the Serra do Louro, religious history, and a programme involving caves and wine that requires advance booking.

Hiking the PR2 Serra do Louro e Aldeia de Quinta do Anjo

The PR2 is a moderate 10.3-kilometre circular route, with a stated duration of 3 hours and 30 minutes. It starts and ends at Espaço Fortuna Artes e Ofícios. Part of the route passes through the Serra do Louro. To the south, it offers views of the Serra de São Luís and Serra dos Gaiteiros mountain ranges; to the north, of Lisbon and the Tagus estuary.

The distance, difficulty rating and duration provide a clear framework for a day of hiking. The circular route and shared start and finish point describe the walk just as clearly as its two viewing directions. If you would like to include landscapes in your trip as well as buildings, the PR2 makes for a distinct, longer activity.

Chapel, church and artificial caves

The Capela de São Gonçalo is a small 16th-century pilgrimage chapel. Its hexagonal floor plan makes it architecturally distinctive; it is also associated with the cult of livestock protection. The Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Redenção was completed in 1909 and has an exterior shaped by neoclassical influences. Their architectural forms and dates therefore offer two different points of reference for the history of religious buildings in Quinta do Anjo.

Another distinctive feature is the group of four artificial caves, also known as the Grutas Artificiais do Casal do Pardo. They have been classified as a National Monument since 1934. The clearest ways to identify them are their number, artificial character and alternative name: this refers to a specific group of caves, not a general cave trail.

Pilgrimage traditions with different origins

The Festa de Todos os Santos has been held continuously in Quinta do Anjo since 1756. It commemorates the vow made after the 1755 earthquake to ask Nossa Senhora da Redenção for protection. The dates are closely connected: the earthquake took place in 1755, and the Festa began the following year.

The Círio de Quinta do Anjo sets off from Quinta do Anjo on the Friday before the last weekend in August and travels to the Santuário da Nossa Senhora da Atalaia in Montijo. Its specific programme may vary from year to year, so check the dates for the year of your trip. Unlike the Festa, which commemorates a specific historical vow, the Círio’s starting point, timing and destination provide a clear geographical framework for a pilgrimage tradition.

Caves and wine as a guided programme

The Expedição Pré-Histórica – Das Grutas ao Vinho at Venâncio da Costa Lima in Quinta do Anjo includes a nature trail to prehistoric caves and a guided visit to a wine cellar. The programme also includes a wine tasting and a tasting of Queijo de Azeitão. It is scheduled for May, June and July; advance booking is required.

The two activities have different planning requirements: the PR2 has a stated route, difficulty level and duration, while the months when the cave and wine programme is available and the need to book in advance are key. When choosing a holiday rental in Quinta do Anjo, compare these planning details with your travel dates and the focus you would like to include in your stay.

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