6 Best Sights in Estremadura and the Ribatejo, Portugal

Lourinhã, a small town about halfway between Torres Vedras and Peniche, claims the title "Land of the Dinosaurs" because of the rich paleontological finds made in the area's sea cliffs. Since 2018, Lourinhã has been home to the Dino Park, Portugal's largest outdoor museum and a fun attraction for families with kids. Along with 180 life-size models of different species—including several discovered locally and named after the town—there are impressive fossil displays and labs where you can take a closer look at tools and techniques used by paleontologists. Buy tickets online for a discount.

Like a real-life Willy Wonka chocolate factory but even bigger, the outdoor feast that is the annual Festival de Chocolate attracts more than 200,000 people to Óbidos in March and April. There are tons of things to do and see, like an annual chocolate sculpture contest done by locally renowned chefs. Along with the many stands selling all kinds of delicious chocolate goodies, many local restaurants offer chocolate-theme menus.

The hills to the south and west of Fátima are honeycombed with limestone caves. Legend has it that many years ago, a wealthy man carrying a bag of coins was traveling through the woods when he was attacked by a gang of thieves. Struggling from the attack, the man fell into one of the grottoes. Through the cave, the lost coins were spread around, thus giving the Grutas da Moeda, 3 km (2 miles) from Fátima, their name. Within about a 25-km (15-mile) radius of the town are four other major caverns—São Mamede, Alvados, Santo António, and Mira de Aire, the country's largest—equipped with lights and elevators. On a guided tour in any of these (for a minimum of two people; ask for an English-speaking guide) you can see the subterranean world of limestone formations, underground rivers and lakes, and multicolor stalagmites and stalactites. It's a 10-minute drive from the shrine; there are also two shuttles a day from Fátima bus station, at 10:30 am and 3 pm, with return trips departing from the caves at 12 pm and at 4:30 pm.

Every late July and/or early August, the Mercado Medieval enlivens the town over two long weekends. There's a parade of people in medieval costumes each day around the city walls. To buy some of the typical products of the region—ceramics, cheeses, hams, and flowers—exchange your euros for replica torreões (the first coins struck in Portugal). Battles and court scenes are dramatized daily, and music animates the market until midnight. As for a meal, consider a hunk of the wild boar roasted on a spit.

In the center of town, the wax museum has 32 tableaux, with a total of 120 figures, depicting the events that took place in Fátima when the child shepherds first saw the apparitions in 1917, and other events.

All through December, the Óbidos Christmas Village is the perfect miniature winter wonderland for children. There's usually ice-skating, an ice slide, a carousel, puppet shows, and, of course, Santa Claus. There are also several shows, organized games for all ages, and a market selling handicrafts and traditional sweets, as well as plenty of other food and drink.