Amadora can be explored through traces of very different periods: from the tombs carved into the limestone at Carenque and a house built for the watercolour painter Alfredo Roque Gameiro to the annual Amadora BD comics festival. Archaeology, architecture and cultural events each offer a different focus for a stay. When planning, first consider whether you are particularly interested in the distant past, architectural and art history, or today’s comics and cultural scene.
Carenque: Tombs and a Long History of Use
The Grutas de Carenque, also known as the Necrópole de Carenque, are caves artificially carved into the rock. They date from the end of the Neolithic period—approximately the 3rd millennium BC—and were used until the Chalcolithic, or Copper Age. The necropolis consists of three collective tombs carved into the limestone outcrops of Tojal de Vila Chã. Archaeologist Manuel Heleno discovered and excavated the tombs in 1932. Because of their significance for understanding prehistory, they are protected as a national monument; this protection was granted by Government Decree No. 26:235 of 20 January 1936. Guided tours are available for organised groups by prior arrangement. Check the current booking arrangements before visiting.
Architecture, Museums and Cultural Events
Casa Roque Gameiro was built between 1898 and 1901 in the Freguesia da Venteira area as a home for the watercolour painter Alfredo Roque Gameiro and his family. Its notable features include azulejo tilework. The dining room contains a tile design by Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro with naturalistic themes. The building therefore offers a glimpse of both its original residential purpose and a specific example of its decorative features. Another historical landmark is the main building of Recreios da Amadora, inaugurated on 17 August 1914.
Roman traces also form part of Amadora’s history: the Villa romana da Quinta da Bolacha was discovered in 1979 in the Freguesia Falagueira-Venda Nova during investigations of a Roman aqueduct identified in the municipality. The surviving Roman structures of the villa reach a height of up to 1 m. The Núcleo Museológico do Casal da Falagueira has six exhibition areas dedicated to local heritage.
Amadora BD was founded in 1990, is organised by the Câmara Municipal da Amadora, and is dedicated to Portuguese and international comics. The festival has been held every year without interruption since its inception. Its programme includes autograph sessions, exhibitions, new-release presentations, workshops and other presentations. Check the current festival programme to see which dates suit your trip. In addition, Galeria Municipal Artur Bual organises exhibitions and has developed innovative cultural projects over the years that contribute to Amadora’s dynamic artistic and cultural profile. Cineteatro D. João V is a cultural venue that contributes to the cultural life of Amadora and the Greater Lisbon area.
Plan Your Routes and Getting There
There are various route options for outdoor activities. Parque das Artes e do Desporto has a 3 km circular walking route. Amadora’s walking trail network currently covers about 40 km. These figures refer to different scales: one circular route and the network as a whole. As the network may be updated, check the latest information before planning a longer hike.
Parque Fonte das Avencas has trails for walking and mountain biking. The park also has a picnic area with pools supplied by a water pipeline, as well as a wooded section dominated by pine trees and water tunnels. Amadora railway station on the CP Sintra Line is one transport option for visiting the city; check current connections before travelling.
When looking for a hotel in Amadora, you can decide in advance what you want to focus on during your stay: archaeological history and architecture, comics and cultural events, or outdoor trails. Then check how a specific accommodation fits your own daily plans.
For the broader travel overview: Amadora.
