Colares reveals a wine-growing landscape in which its proximity to the sea visibly shapes cultivation: very strong sea winds make reed fences important for protecting the vineyards. At the same time, churches and villas tell of different periods of construction and uses. When planning your visit, you can choose from winegrowing, architecture, and the Vinho de Colares route as distinct areas of focus.

Winegrowing between sandy soil and coastal winds

The designated Colares wine region produces the highly regarded and increasingly rare Vinho de Colares. Around 80% of Colares's vineyards are located on “chão de areia,” or sandy soil. In the traditional “unhar” method, the vine is planted as a vine on its own roots (“pé franco”) and anchored in the soil layer beneath the sand. The covering of sand and the underlying soil layer play different roles: the vineyards are on sandy soil, while the vine is anchored in the deeper layer. Reed fences protect the vineyards from the strong sea winds.

The Adega and the Vinho de Colares route

The Adega Regional de Colares was founded in 1931 and operates in its original building. Inside are very large barrels in which the wines produced there mature. Tours and wine tastings are available by appointment. If you plan to take part in either, be sure to arrange an appointment as part of your preparations.

The Pequena Rota 8 – Vinho de Colares starts at the Adega Regional de Colares and is a circular route of approximately 15.5 kilometers. This means there are two different options at the same named starting point: an appointment-based offering centered on wine production, and a route with a defined circular layout and approximate distance. If you are considering both, you can arrange your appointment at the Adega separately from planning your circular walk.

Churches and architectural history

The Igreja Matriz de Colares is dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Assunção and was built in the second half of the 16th century. The parish church of Colares, also known as the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Assunção, including its churchyard, is classified as a monument of public interest. Its nave is a spacious Mannerist interior with five round-arched openings, one of which contains the side entrance. The walls are covered with patterned 17th-century tiles in yellow, blue, and white. This building brings together a generously proportioned interior, a sequence of arches, and colorful wall decoration.

The Ermida de São Sebastião has an early history that should be distinguished from the date of its present building: its history dates back to the beginning of the 16th century, while the present building was constructed in the third quarter of the 18th century. The main chapel has an oval floor plan. These two dates refer to different phases in the history of the Ermida.

Villa Costa, now Vitorino, tells a different story of construction. Built in 1885 as a holiday residence for José Inácio da Costa, it is the second-oldest chalet in the Sintra area. This adds a late-19th-century holiday residence to the area’s ecclesiastical architectural history.

Historic transport connection

The history of the Sintra tram also has a clear connection to Colares: its first section, between Sintra (Vila Velha) and São Sebastião de Colares, opened on March 31, 1904. This section was 8,900 meters long.

Discover more destinations: Sintra, Algueirão, Agualva, São João Das Lampas, Rio De Mouro, Mira-Sintra, Queluz, Belas

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