In winter, the Paúl do Boquilobo Biosphere Reserve is naturally flooded by the Tagus. This freshwater wetland lies in a bend of the Almonda River. This seasonal dynamic shapes part of the landscape in the District of Santarem. Santarém itself also offers a special view of the river landscape: the city sits on a high plateau above the fertile Lezíria and the Tagus Valley.

Tagus Landscapes and Natural Features

In Parque Natural das Serras de Aire e Candeeiros, limestone defines the character of the massif. Caves and karst features such as sinkholes have been shaped by water over a long period. This makes the landscape interesting for visitors who want to understand not only individual buildings but also how their surroundings were formed. The nature park provides a habitat for 18 bat species.

Monumento Natural das Pegadas de Dinossáurio reveals another chapter of Earth’s history: several hundred tracks left by four-legged herbivorous dinosaurs have been preserved there. They are 175 million years old and arranged in twenty trackways. An educational trail with information panels explores the site; guided visits can be arranged in advance.

Discover Buildings and History

In Santarém, different architectural styles trace the city’s history. The 14th-century Torre do Relógio now houses the Núcleo Museológico do Tempo. The Romanesque Igreja de São João do Alporão has been converted into a museum of art and archaeology; its apse is built in the Gothic style. Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Marvila offers a different emphasis, combining Manueline inspiration with exemplary 17th-century tilework. Convento de São Francisco also dates from the 13th century.

In Tomar, Convento de Cristo was founded in 1160 by Templar Grand Master Gualdim Pais. The city’s cultural heritage also includes one of Portugal’s oldest synagogues in the historic centre, complemented by the Museu Luso-Hebraico Abraão Zacuto. These landmarks offer different ways to explore religious and architectural history, without focusing on a single era.

Castelo de Almourol stands on an island in the Tagus. According to an inscription at the entrance, its reconstruction took place in 1171. Together with the castles of Tomar, Zêzere and Cardiga, it formed a defensive line along the river. This single building offers a glimpse into the military history of the Tagus region.

Trails, Festivities and Regional Cuisine

For hikers, the Caminho Português de Santiago – Caminho Central offers clear guidance: the central Portuguese Way of St James is fully signposted from Lisbon. The section from Santarém to Golegã is approximately 30.5 kilometres long. This distance describes the route section; it does not specify a walking time. In Santarém, themed trails follow artistic movements that accompanied the city’s social and economic development.

Festivities also shape the region’s cultural calendar. At the Sanctuary of Fátima, the candlelight procession on 12 May and the farewell procession on 13 May are among the major events. In November, Golegã hosts the Feira Nacional do Cavalo, featuring displays of purebred Lusitano horses. If you are interested in regional cuisine, Cozido de carne, Sopa da pedra and Migas ribatejanas are among the specialities around Santarém.

The Tejo Wine Route 118 offers another perspective on the area. It follows the left bank of the Tagus for about 150 kilometres, passing through Abrantes, Constância, Chamusca, Alpiarça, Almeirim, Salvaterra de Magos and Benavente. The route offers a different way to navigate the area than the single section of the Way of St James: here, the focus is on a succession of towns along the river.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: 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 main travel overview: Portugal.