Places to Explore In Estremadura and the Ribatejo

Abrantes

A stroll through the narrow cobblestone streets of Abrantes is a perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon, especially if it winds up at the...

• 3 Restaurants
• 2 Hotels
• 2 Things To Do

Alcobaça

Alcobaça is a town that still shows its old-world roots in its downtown architecture—pretty red-tile roofs and French chateau turrets. The town is in a...

• 2 Restaurants
• 3 Hotels
• 5 Things To Do

Almeirim

Almeirim, a pretty country town just across the river from Santarém, is surrounded by vineyards and cork-oak forests. Many people from nearby cities and all...

• 1 Restaurants
• 1 Hotels
• 4 Things To Do

Batalha

Batalha, which means "battle" in Portuguese, is the site of another of the country's religious structures that memorialize a battle victory. The monastery, classified as...

• 2 Restaurants
• 4 Hotels
• 3 Things To Do

Benavente

Benavente is a small, country town in the heart of rural Ribatejo and of the Lezíria, which is Portuguese for the rich and fertile landscape...

• 2 Restaurants
• 1 Hotels
• 3 Things To Do

Caldas da Rainha

Caldas da Rainha (Queen's Baths), the hub of a large farming area, is best known for the fantastical, colorful ceramics produced in local factories and—for...

• 4 Restaurants
• 3 Hotels
• 6 Things To Do

Constância

Peaceful little Constância is at the confluence of the Zêzere and the Tagus. It's best known as the town where poet Luís de Camões was...

• 0 Restaurants
• 1 Hotels
• 1 Things To Do

Ericeira

Ericeira, an old fishing town tucked into the rocky coast, is a popular seaside resort. Its core fans out from the sheer cliff, beneath which...

• 5 Restaurants
• 2 Hotels
• 1 Things To Do

Fátima

On the western flanks of the Serra de Aire lies Fátima, an important Roman Catholic pilgrimage site that is, ironically, named after the daughter of...

• 3 Restaurants
• 6 Hotels
• 8 Things To Do

Leiria

Leiria is a pleasant, modern, industrial town at the confluence of the Rios Liz and Lena, overlooked by a wonderfully elegant medieval castle. The region...

• 3 Restaurants
• 3 Hotels
• 4 Things To Do

Mafra

• 2 Restaurants
• 0 Hotels
• 2 Things To Do

Nazaré

Not so long ago you could mingle on the beach with black-stocking-capped fishermen and even help as the oxen hauled boats in from the crashing...

• 1 Restaurants
• 5 Hotels
• 2 Things To Do

Óbidos

As you enter town through the massive, arched gates of Óbidos, it seems as if you've been transported to Portugal in the Middle Ages, when...

• 2 Restaurants
• 5 Hotels
• 11 Things To Do

Peniche

In the lee of a rocky peninsula, Peniche is a major fishing-and-canning port that's also a popular summer resort. There are several beaches to choose...

• 3 Restaurants
• 2 Hotels
• 5 Things To Do

Santarém

Some historians believe that Santarém's beginnings date to as early as 1200 BC and the age of Ulysses. Its strategic location led several kings to...

• 3 Restaurants
• 3 Hotels
• 5 Things To Do

Tomar

TOn both sides of the Nabão River, Tomar is linked by a graceful, arched stone bridge. The river flows through a lovely park with weeping...

• 2 Restaurants
• 2 Hotels
• 5 Things To Do

Torres Vedras

A bustling commercial center crowned with the ruins of a medieval castle, Torres Vedras is best known for its extensive fortifications—a system of trenches and...

• 3 Restaurants
• 3 Hotels
• 6 Things To Do

Vila Franca de Xira

Vila Franca de Xira is an excellent place to see Portuguese bullfights, known as the tourada, which are held from Easter through October. Although it's...

• 1 Restaurants
• 0 Hotels
• 0 Things To Do