62 Best Sights in Estremadura and the Ribatejo, Portugal

The 14th-century Gothic church contains the gravestone of Pedro Álvares Cabral, the discoverer of Brazil. (There's also a tomb of the explorer in Belmonte, the town of his birth in northeastern Portugal, but no one is really sure just what—or who—is in which tomb.) Note the delicate rose window whose setting was carved from a single slab of stone. 

The 17th-century artist Josefa de Óbidos came to the town as a small child and lived here until her death in 1684. You can see some of her work in the azulejo-lined Church of Saint Mary, which was a Visigoth temple in the 8th century. The church is in a square off Rua Direita. Next door is a small, charming museum dedicated to the work of local artist and theater designer Abílio de Mattos e Silva.

The 13th-century Igreja de Santa Maria do Olival—still set in an olive grove, as the name suggests—is where the bones of several Knights Templar are interred, including those of Gualdim Pais, founder of the order in Portugal; his original tomb slab, dated from 1195, can still be seen inside. The church later served the same purpose for the Order of Christ, which succeeded the Templars in the 14th century. Popular belief—supported by some archaeological evidence—has it that the church was once connected with the Convent of Christ by a tunnel.

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, related personalities.

Housed in a former Augustinian monastery, Leiria's main museum presents the city's development from pre-Roman times through the construction of the castle and the planting of the region's vast pine forests at the behest of medieval kings. Among the most prized items is the "Lapedo child"—a skeleton from the early Upper Paleolithic, excavated locally in 1998, which has fueled debate about the origins of modern humans. Your ticket includes a free audio guide in English. A free nearby offshoot of the museum, the Moinho do Papel, is a beautifully restored watermill where you can see cereals being ground and paper made the traditional way.

One of the city's treasures, this museum occupies a former seminary next to the imposing 17th-century cathedral. Inside you'll find examples of religious art spanning the centuries, but the best reason to visit is the grandeur of the space itself, with its beautifully painted ceilings and tile panels.

The big draw at the shrine's official museum is the bejeweled, golden crown that contains the bullet extracted from the body of Pope John Paul II after the 1981 assassination attempt on his life. The image of Our Lady of Fatima wears this crown on days of large pilgrimages or special occasions. The museum also displays offerings made by pilgrims and Church dignitaries, such as the Golden Rose from Pope Benedict XVI.

Marinha Grande, 11 km (7 miles) west of Leiria, is known for its fine-quality lead crystal, which has been produced in the region since the 17th century. The palatial 18th-century former home of William Stephens, the Englishman who re-established Portugal's Royal Glass Factory, now houses a museum showcasing glass and crystal from several periods and factories. There is a shop in the reception area.

Housed in an old winery just outside Alcobaça, the Wine Museum is the country's best showcase of antique implements and presses, dating from the 17th to 21st centuries. Guided tours are offered on the hour from 10 to 5 (except 1 pm); call ahead to check if the day's guide can do them in English (it is usually possible), and conclude with a wine tasting.

This prize-winning museum, opened in 2022, showcases municipal and private collections that include archaeological finds from Abrantes and the surrounding area as well as from elsewhere in the Iberian Peninsula and beyond (including Ancient Greece, Egypt, and Mesopotamia), plus sacred art from the region over the centuries, and some modern art. It is all housed in a former Dominican monastery, founded in the 16th century, that is one of the city's most important historic buildings, now sensitively restored as part of a project by leading Portuguese architect Carrilho da Graça.

The high-tech Miracle of Fátima Interactive Museum re-creates the appearance of the Virgin Mary a century ago. Its use of multimedia technologies certainly helps generate a sense of wonder at the apparition of the Virgin and of the Angel of Portugal, and at what became known as the Miracle of the Sun. Guided visits last around 40 minutes, with free time afterward; it is recommended that you book ahead at busy times, as slots can be scarce (and tickets bought online are slightly cheaper). The museum is under a small shopping mall near the new basilica.

The expansive wooded park surrounding the town's spa is home to the country's largest collection of works by Caldas native José Malhoa (1854–1933), one of Portugal's most prominent Naturalist painters, as well as sculpture, drawings, and ceramics from the 19th and 20th centuries. A handheld audio guide with English commentary is available.

In the Old Town, a stroll along the flower-lined street of Rua Dr. Joaquim Jacinto takes you to the heart of the Jewish Quarter and this former synagogue, now a modest museum. Built in the mid-15th century for what was a sizeable community, it is Portugal's oldest extant synagogue, though there are only a handful of Jewish families currently living in Tomar, so it's rarely used as a house of prayer. Inside, exhibits chronicle the Jewish presence in the country, which all but ended in 1496 when Dom Manuel issued an edict ordering Jews to either leave the country or convert to Christianity. Many, who became known as Marranos, converted but secretly practiced Judaism. The building was declared a national monument in 1921 and is open for visits. Call the Tomar Tourist Office in advance to set up a free guided visit in English. Note the remains of a mikveh (ritual bath) in the building next door, visible from the street through the large window.

In the 16th-century Convento de Graça, the Municipal Museum has exhibits about the city's historical fortifications, as well as interesting archaeological finds from the castle grounds and from all over the region.

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.

A relative newcomer to the Portuguese wine scene, ODE has already made a name for itself with wines made following organic and regenerative principles, its various monovarietals being of particular note. Tours of the winery may be booked via the website for Wednesday through Sunday; they conclude with a tasting with five wines (€20) or with lunch with wine pairing (for an extra €45) in the excellent Cellar Door restaurant, which serves unusual Japanese-style dishes and which is open to all comers. 

This sparsely populated region straddles the border between Estremadura and the Ribatejo and is roughly midway between Lisbon and Coimbra. Within its 75,000 acres of scrublands and moors are small settlements, little has changed in hundreds of years, where farmers barely eke out a living. In this rocky landscape, stones are the main building material for houses, windmills, and the miles of walls used to mark boundary lines. In the village of Minde, on weekdays you can visit the Centro de Artes e Ofícios Roque Gameiro ( Rua Dr. António da Silva Totta 51) to see women weaving the rough but strikingly colored rugs for which this region is known. The park is well suited for leisurely hiking—with many well-marked trails—or cycling. If you're driving, the N362, which runs for approximately 45 km (28 miles) from Batalha in the north to Santarém in the south, is a good route. Another big local attraction is the area's subterranean caves, the largest of which are at Mira de Aire---another town with fine handicrafts displays at the Museu Industrial e Artesanal do Têxtil ( miat.pt/en, €6.50, closed Mondays except August). At these caves ( grutasmiradaire.com/en), for €8.70, you can take a 60-minute guided tour through illuminated limestone formations, water features, and stalagmites and stalactites.

About 24 km (18 miles) northwest of Torres Vedras is a broad, light sweep of sand backed by a small settlement with plenty of places to eat and drink. But if you want to get away from it all, there are cliff-top trails that are lovely for hiking. The waves here are suitable both for beginner and advanced surfers. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunset; surfing; swimming; walking.

Across the mouth of the Óbidos Lagoon, a large spit of sand juts out into the brackish tidal water. The broad expanse of sand here and the calm waters of the lagoon make it popular with families with young kids, not least because the beaches here have been awarded the coveted Blue Flag (for water quality, safety, and access) several years running. As well as the public facilities, there are several lively esplanades along the promenade. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: partiers; sunset; swimming; windsurfing.

Hedged in by rocky cliffs topped with the greenest of vegetation, this is one of the region's prettiest beaches. The strand is fairly narrow at high tide, but it rarely gets very crowded because it is served only by a simple café. Access to the beach is via a wooden walkway. The beach is signposted off the N247 north of Santa Cruz, where the beaches are broader but busier. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee). Best for: solitude; sunset; surfing; walking.

This beach on a natural island that's now an artificially created peninsula has long been a surfer hangout thanks to its great waves—it's home to a well-reputed surf school. But Baleal Beach is also popular with families who lounge about under rented umbrellas. Note that there are rocks in the water in some parts of the beach. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; sunset; surfing; swimming; windsurfing.

This 6,900-acre farm and winery encompasses a vineyard established in 1723 by the Marquês de Alorna, a viceroy of Portuguese India. It is known particularly for its ripe, floral whites. There's a shop right outside the entrance where you can purchase the wines and other regional products such as honey, jams, olive oil, and sausages. There are no regular tours of the winery, but if you call a day or two ahead or email  [email protected], they may be able to arrange a visit and tasting (from €30 for two whites and one red).

For the gastronome in you, spend a day wining and dining at this 1,630-acre estate; 346 acres are vineyards. The quinta has been owned by the same family for more than 200 years and used to be one of largest royal falconry grounds in the country. The winery produces red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines, as well as olive oil under numerous labels which include Capoeira, Terra de Lobos, and their flagship Casal Branco. They use native grape varieties such as Castelão for reds and Fernão Pires for whites, as well as international ones like Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot. Call ahead for a guided tour of the cellar ending with a tasting of five wines (€35), or for lunch or dinner in the small restaurant. The shop stocks the estate's wines and olive oil, as well as homemade jams, cheeses, and traditional sausages.

This family-owned winemaker, founded in the late 19th century, is one of the companies best prepared to receive visitors, with regular tours throughout the week to the main estate near Bombarral, south of Óbidos. You'll take in not only the wine presses and cellars but a magnificent antique distillery where aguardentes are still made. The tasting (€40) features five wines, and you may also combine it with lunch (for €40 extra). There are shorter tours to the equally charming Quinta das Cerejeiras, on the edge of Bombarral, which also has a wine store. In all cases, book in advance via  [email protected].

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.

One of Europe's best beaches for surfing—pretty much any time of year—Ribeira d'Ilhas regularly hosts national and world championships. When the surf is up on weekends, expect a crowd. There's a large, modern restaurant where you can grab a bite. The beach is 2 km (1¼ miles) north of Ericeira, set in a picturesque gorge amid tall cane. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; sunset; surfing.

The perfect horseshoe-shape bay here, 12 miles west of Alcobaça, makes this one of Portugal's prettiest beaches, lapped by calm waters that are safe for children. The ample strand—patrolled by lifeguards so long as beach cafés are open—has fine, yellow sand (cleaned daily) and areas with sunshades for rent. Much of it is lined with well-preserved dunes; at its northern end, set back from the promenade, are elegant old homes in the typical Caldas style, restaurants, and many hotels. The beach is popular with local families, so don't come in high summer if you dislike crowds. Local companies offer boating and canoeing trips. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); toilets; water sports. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.