3 Best Sights in Benavente, Estremadura and the Ribatejo

The 44,500-acre farmstead of Companhia das Lezírias—owned by the Portuguese state and one of the country's most profitable—is filled with forests of cork oaks, stone pines, and eucalyptus trees. Rice is also grown and sold under the "Belmonte" and "Bom Sucesso" labels, and the company does organic cattle farming and breeds prizewinning Lusitano stallions. Its winery, Adega de Catapereiro, 12 km (7½ miles) south of Samora Correia, has a shop and also offers guided visits with tastings of three wines and one olive oil, from €12 per person. Book ahead by phone or email  [email protected].

The prestigious Casa Cadaval winery on the Herdade de Muge estate, between Benavente and Almeirim. has belonged to the Alvares Pereira Melo family since 1648. It produces red, white, and rosé wines under the Casa Cadaval, Marquesa de Cadaval, and Padre Pedro labels, using native grape varieties and some international ones, such as Pinot Noir. The store is open every day, but you must book ahead by phone or email  [email protected] for a wine tasting, a ride out on a Lusitano horse, or a more extensive tour of the estate, in all cases followed by lunch.

This extensive natural reserve area along the left bank of the Tagus River has diverse fauna and flora, great bird-watching, and hiking through the area. The privately run EVOA Visitor and Birdwatching Center, which has a permanent display, is one of the best ways to see the park: there are daily guided tours on foot (1½ hrs from €15 per person on weekends or €39 for up to three people on weekdays) or by electric vehicle (€4 per person extra), and various private tours and birdwatching packages.