For an exploration of Torres Novas, the hiking trails provide a common thread: their profiles range from a 9-kilometre circular route around a group of windmills to the more than 125-kilometre GR54. Alongside these are an internationally important wetland and cultural sites that bring together Roman traces, castle history and museum collections. The different trail lengths, landscapes and historical themes give you several starting points for planning your trip.

Hiking trails with different profiles

The PR1 Rota do Almonda is a 23-kilometre linear hiking trail in the municipality of Torres Novas. It connects the Parque Natural das Serras de Aire e Candeeiros with the Reserva Natural do Paul do Boquilobo and is divided into three sections. The PR2 Vales da Serra de Aire is a 13-kilometre circular route that leads to the summit of the Serra de Aire. The PR3 Moinhos da Pena is shorter: this 9-kilometre circular route passes around a significant group of windmills on the steep Arrife escarpment. The three routes differ in length, format and destination.

The GR54 Grande Rota do Carso is more than 125 kilometres long. It crosses the Parque Natural das Serras de Aire e Candeeiros and passes through the municipalities of Alcanena, Torres Novas and Ourém. The PR4 Rota da Olaia e Paço takes in a different landscape: dirt tracks run through traditional olive groves with many fig trees, vineyards and intensively cultivated olive groves. The route passes several shrines; signposted detours lead, among other places, to the Capela de Pousos and the Igreja do Paço.

The PR5 Rota de Fungalvaz also has a clearly defined landscape feature. It covers the village area of Fungalvaz and follows the upper reaches of the Ribeira da Beselga. Its deeply incised limestone valley is known as Fórnea de Fungalvaz. The trails therefore offer not only a range of distances but also different focal points: protected areas, windmills, olive groves, vineyards and a limestone valley.

Wetland, birdlife and karst

The Paul do Boquilobo lies near the confluence of the Almonda and the Tagus. This internationally important wetland is a Ramsar site and one of Portugal's important wintering grounds for waterbirds. Its bird colonies include herons as well as anatids such as ducks and geese. The Reserva da Biosfera do Paul do Boquilobo offers circular walks, routes and trails, as well as guided visits inside the reserve to observe nature and biodiversity. Booking details may change, so check the latest information before planning a guided visit.

There is a clear visitor restriction at the Grutas do Almonda: its karst network extends for more than 15 kilometres and is considered Portugal's largest natural cave, but it is not open to visitors because access is complex. This makes the distinction between a natural setting and an experience that can actually be visited especially important when planning around your interests.

Roman traces and castle history

The Ruínas Romanas de Villa Cardílio are classified as a National Monument. A mosaic there depicts the portraits and names of the two owners, Cardílio and Avita. The Igreja e Vestígios do Convento do Carmo is classified as a Monumento de Interesse Público, or Monument of Public Interest. These designations reflect the sites' different heritage classifications.

Torres Novas Castle is a 12th-century fortress captured by D. Sancho I in 1190. Its towers offer panoramic views of the surrounding town and, to the northwest, the Serra de Aire. Among the older religious buildings in the municipality is the Capela do Vale: dating from the 7th or 8th century, it is the oldest religious building in the municipality. The chapel of the Convento de Santo António dates from 1593; 18th-century tiles depict scenes from the lives of Saint Francis and Saint Anthony.

Museums and local history

The Museu Municipal Carlos Reis is housed in the Casa do Mogo de Melo, also known as Casa do Mogo, a stately 18th-century building. Its collections include painting, religious art and archaeology, and cover local history from prehistory to the Middle Ages. They also include around 30 works by Carlos Reis, among them landscapes and portraits.

At the Núcleo Museológico Cerca da Vila, a permanent exhibition traces the story from prehistory to the end of the Middle Ages in the 15th century. It also displays the 400,000-year-old human fossil skull ARO3 from the Gruta da Aroeira, one of the oldest known human fossils in Western Europe. The Núcleo Museológico da Central do Caldeirão offers another link between history and technology. It is housed in a restored hydroelectric power station that operated from 1923 to 1984. From 1922, electricity was generated there in Torres Novas using water from the Almonda.

Markets and recurring events

The Feira Nacional dos Frutos Secos takes place every year in early October and has been held without interruption since 1985. It brings together dried-fruit producers, local food exhibitors, traditional cuisine and crafts, as well as concerts and performances. The programme may vary from one edition to another; check the dates for your chosen year before travelling. The Feira dos Produtos da Terra takes place monthly on the fourth Sunday at Praça dos Claras, where local producers sell their products directly. Check the event calendar before your visit.

Since 2010, the Feira de Época/Memórias da História has also been held every year in the historic centre of Torres Novas and around the castle. The programme includes performances, dance, music, street entertainment and traditional cuisine; the components may vary from one edition to another. Dates and admission arrangements may also change, so check them in advance.

Getting there

Torres Novas is close to the junction of the A1 and A23 motorways and is served by a railway line connecting Lisbon with northern Portugal and Spain. Check the current timetable when planning your specific trip.

Discover more destinations: Torres Novas, Assentiz, Chancelaria, Zibreira, Ribeira Branca, Samora Correia, Ourém, Constância.

For the overview of the wider region: Santarém.