Santarém

Santarém is the lively capital of Ribatejo. In contrast to Alentejo, vast green plains stretch into the horizon, often flooded by the river Tagus. The whole region is proud of its tradition of horse and bull rearing. The bullfights in Santarém are famous as well as its large, annual agricultural fair.
In itself, Santarém offers interesting churches and the well-known Jardim das Portas do Sol, gardens enclosed by the city's medieval walls and with magnificent views over the river and the vast plains.
Golegã is a quiet town that, in November, gathers crowds of horse-lovers in its colourful annual horse fair.

The great, fertile plains, also known as lezíria, offer other sites of interest, like Alpiarça, with its fine church and the Casa Museu dos Patudos (a museum with a fine art collection and decorative tiles), or Almeirim, known for its wines and, specially, the "sopa da pedra" ("stone soup", made from vegetables and meat according to a legend of a beggar monk).

In the same district, do not miss Tomar a small, quiet city with the charm of the narrow cobbled streets of the old town and beautiful gardens, bathed by the river Nabão. But its main attraction is the Convent of Christ, a dazzling monastery with church, cloisters and castle built in various styles, founded in 1162 by the grand-master of the Templars.

Near Tomar you can also enjoy boating, fishing and water sports in the large dam of Castelo de Bode, surrounded by small, isolated villages and eucalyptus forests, or go to the sanctuary of Fátima, where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to three shepherd children and which attracts thousands of pilgrims each year.

Batalha’s Baron Square (Abrantes)
This is one of the main ex-libris of Abrantes and has been a passing through place for almost every one that visits the Abrantes city.
Besides that, the square has been in great demand because it brings together shops and constant animation, aspects that make it one of the most important points of the town.

Castle’s Garden (Abrantes)
This garden was the beginning point to the creation of Abrantes Flowery City. Nowadays, it still has the same beauty and calm that always made part of it.
Besides being inside the town, this is the ideal space for leisure and spare time occupation, not only for adults, but also for child.

Abrantes Fortress (Abrantes)
The Abrantes Fortress brings together several influences, in the construction area, resultant from the consecutive military take over, between 1173 and the second half of the 20th century. As an example one has the keep of the fortress, with the rare 360º panoramic view over the Ribatejo, the Alentejo and the Beira.

Mother-Church and Dolmen-Chapel (Rio Maior)
In this group is to point out the lateral chapel of the Saint Maria Madeleine, a megalithic monument with funerary character that is quoted in the Iberian Peninsula 10 biggest dolmens. This Dolmen-Chapel that "gave birth" to the Mother-Church is, because of that, considered a unique monument in the entire country.

Salt Marines – Marinhas do Sal (Rio Maior)
The Salt Marines fit in a valley in the base of the Candeeiros Serra, surrounded by trees, vineyards and cultivation land.
Similar to a small village, with stone streets and wooden houses, located 30 km from the sea, the Salt Marines area was invaded by the ocean, million years ago. The only remains are the deposit and several fossils that can be found almost everywhere in the serra. Like almost all flats produce salt weekly, between July and September, it’s possible to admire the salt production process. Through the centuries the exploration methods didn’t suffer much progress, fact that gives this place the rarity that makes it special.

Fátima Shrine (Ourém)
This is, inevitably, the pilgrimage place and it’s where people reencounter Faith, Life and Hope. Here, are perpetuated the Apparitions of Our Lady to the Three Shepherds (Jacinta, Lúcia and Francisco), whom, with a white rosary beads, asked them to pray a lot for the evils that afflicted the world. Nowadays, the Fátima Shrine receives in pilgrimage and prayer many thousands of believers from all around the world, especially on the Annual Pilgrimage of the 13th of May. The Way of the Cross is composed by 14 small chapels that evoke the Lord’s Passion. It starts on the Santa Teresa de Ourém roundabout, passes the Valinhos Monument (that marks the point where the 4th Apparition took place) and ends in the Calvary, a little bit upper from the Angel’s Cave – the place where the Three Shepherds received the first and third visits of the Angel, on the Spring and Autumn of 1916.

Ourém Castle (Ourém)
The Ourém Castle represents an outstanding medieval borough, surrounded by walls and located on a hillock, 2 km from the town’s centre.
The main access is made through the Villa’s Doors.