Top 15 Attractions in Santiago do Cacém, Portugal

Not far from the coast, this Alentejo town is defined by the walls of its medieval castle. Originally constructed by the Moors, the castle ranks among the few historical landmarks worth noting. Another prominent site is the Roman settlement of Miróbriga, which features the remnants of Portugal’s sole Roman hippodrome.

Santiago do Cacém’s municipality encompasses a significant portion of the coastline, where untamed Atlantic surf meets expansive stretches of fine white sand. The lagoon adjacent to the beach at Santo André attracts a variety of birdlife, and for families, the Badoca Safari Park offers encounters with many favorite animal species.

Let us delve into the notable attractions to explore in Santiago do Cacém:

1. Miróbriga

Located just beyond the town’s southeastern edge are the remnants of what was once a substantial Roman city.

The settlement occupies the site of an Iron Age complex dating back to the 9th century BC, but it was during the Roman era that Miróbriga truly thrived.

The site includes a collection of domiciles showcasing well-preserved mosaics, a forum from the 100s, and thermal baths from the subsequent century, including identifiable caldarium and frigidarium.

Additionally, the site hosts Portugal’s only discovered hippodrome, a Roman bridge, and the fossilized remnants of Roman shale pavement illuminating the roads.

2. Castelo de Santiago do Cacém

The town’s castle stands prominently on a hilltop to the south, unmistakable in its presence.

With Moorish origins, it remained a focal point of contention for nearly a century until it ultimately came under Portuguese jurisdiction in the 13th century.

The castle is largely a shell today; what remains includes its outer wall, a barbican, ten square towers, and traces of Moorish construction in the lower sections.

Currently, a cemetery resides within the courtyard, adjacent to a church, which will be described further on.

Visitors can stroll along the battlements, enjoying views over the town and its picturesque rolling hills.

3. Igreja Matriz de Santiago do Cacém

The church is located within the area of the castle that once served as the Moorish alcazaba, precisely where the mosque previously existed.

Dating back to the 13th century, the church still retains elements of Romanesque and Gothic architecture in its arches and columns, despite subsequent renovations and the devastating Lisbon Earthquake of 1755.

During the summer months, this venue hosts a series of sacred music concerts; interested individuals should consult the town’s tourist office for details.

4. Badoca Safari Park

Covering 90 hectares of open grassland, Badoca Safari Park resembles the African savannah during the summer season.

Visitors may enjoy a guided jeep tour through this countryside, where emus, zebras, water buffalos, yaks, giraffes, and ibexes graze peacefully.

The safari experience is complemented by a more traditional zoo, featuring monkeys, lemurs (observed via a river ride), wallabies, birds of prey, tigers, and numerous other creatures.

Younger family members can also appreciate the educational farm, which showcases domesticated animals such as donkeys, llamas, ducks, and goats.

5. Museu Municipal de Santiago do Cacém

Noteworthy is that the town’s museum occupies the former local jail.

The barred windows are a clear indication of its past, as the facility housed prisoners from the 1800s until the 1960s when a new courthouse was erected.

However, the museum’s history dates back to the early 1900s, when Dr. João da Cruz e Silva gifted his collection of coins and archaeological artifacts to Santiago do Cacém.

These items remain central to the collection, alongside sculptures, paintings, furniture, and ceramics.

The coins, organized chronologically from the 3rd century BC to the inception of Portugal’s republic, may be the most intriguing aspect of the collection.

6. Praia da Costa de Santo André

The municipality of Santiago do Cacém extends westward to the coast, where a series of beaches unfolds.

The prime choice among these is Praia da Costa de Santo André, a sandy barrier separating the Atlantic from the Santo André lagoon.

Beyond a pair of unobtrusive bars and a few cottages on the lagoon’s northern bank, the natural scenery prevails unobstructed.

This expansive beach features powerful Atlantic surf on one side and the tranquil, glassy surface of the lagoon on the other.

7. Centro Histórico de Santiago do Cacém

The historical core of Santiago do Cacém is situated on the eastern slope of the castle’s hill, illuminated by the morning sun.

Dedicate sufficient time to navigate the steep and winding alleys to admire the grand mansions, churches, and historical landmarks.

Among these is the pillory, representing municipal autonomy and justice, where public punishments of criminals occurred until relativly recent times.

Additionally, make your way to the former town hall (Antigos Paços do Concelho), the Hospital do Espírito Santo, and the Igreja da Misericórdia.

8. Museu do Trabalho Rural de Abela

The most straightforward approach to understanding the region’s history, agriculture, and customs is to visit this rural life museum in Abela.

Located within a former military academy, the museum explores local traditions and festivals while illustrating how locals historically farmed the land prior to mechanization.

A collection of vintage tools, including sickles, yokes, hoes, ploughs, and cowbells, represent the agricultural cycles and seasonal practices of agrarian farms.

The exhibits also provide insight into the varied landscapes of Santiago do Cacém, from hills to coastal and interior plains, as well as the types of agriculture they sustain.

9. Museu da Farinha de São Domingos

Another perspective of rural life from a different era can be gained at the flour museum in São Domingos.

This museum is housed in a former mill that operated until 1982. The original machinery remains intact, occupying the first two floors of the structure.

The intricate wooden machinery, featuring grinding drums linked to transmission belts and powered by a diesel engine, provides fascinating insight into mid-20th-century technology.

Visitors will also find historical reminders throughout the space, ranging from furniture to grain sacks and vintage tools.

The granary located next door has since been transformed into holiday accommodations.

10. Reserva Natural das Lagoas de Santo André e da Sancha

The 500-hectare Santo André lagoon located by the coast is surrounded by a natural park.

This lagoon, the largest in Alentejo, serves as a sanctuary for regional waterfowl and various bird species.

Even during the peak summer months, when many wetlands in the area are drying up, this lagoon remains abundant.

While visiting the beach at Santo André, consider a brief wildlife detour across the dunes, reed beds, marshes, pastures, and willow groves.

Look for sightings of elusive species like the Eurasian reed warbler, red-crested pochard, or common coot along your journey.

11. Moinho de Vento da Quintinha

This striking windmill, set against a verdant hillside just minutes from the town center, offers a glimpse into the 19th century.

Constructed in 1813, it continued to grind grain until 1966. After falling into disrepair, it was restored and reopened in 2017, following an earlier breakdown in 2015. The mill is recognized internationally as a member of the “International Molinological Society,” making it an interesting attraction for visitors.

12. Os Festejos do São Romão

Those visiting the region in mid-August should venture to the beach at Santo André, where a unique celebration is held.

This event commemorates the itinerant fishing community that established itself on the lagoon’s northern shore after migrating from other coastal regions of Portugal.

During this event, numerous individuals don traditional 19th-century attire, spending the day on the beach while constructing awnings from wooden frames and fabric.

Men typically roll up their trousers, while women hike up their skirts to partake in the surf, recreating the customs of Victorian times.

13. Horseback Rides

The picturesque countryside surrounding Santiago do Cacém invites exploration and is particularly stunning during the spring and early summer when wildflowers blanket the Cercal Mountain range and coastal plains.

Meanwhile, the lagoons are adorned with pine forests and scrubland interspersed with aromatic herbs such as wild thyme.

This region is ideal for horseback riding, with several stables offering excursions, such as Centro Equestre de Santo André and Galope no Campo, which organize extended treks on docile and responsive Lusitano horses.

For children new to riding, introductory lessons can be arranged in the paddock at Centro Equestre de Santo André.

14. Watersports

For those inclined towards sports, the lagoon offers ample opportunities for engaging in activities such as canoeing and kayaking, providing the chance to paddle out to smaller islands or observe the diverse birdlife along the shore.

The favorable combination of steady winds and gentle currents also makes the area attractive for windsurfing and sailing.

Across the sandy strand, the powerful Atlantic waves draw surfers; moreover, a variety of alternate beaches can be explored along the coast if conditions do not permit surfing at any particular location.

Local companies that facilitate these activities include AventurActiva, Bachelor Náutica de Recreio Unipessoal, Surfinalentejo, and Aquaterra.

15. Gastronomy

Numerous eels thrive in Portugal’s coastal lagoons, particularly during January when a week-long culinary festival features various eel dishes.

Many restaurants in the Santo André area partake in this celebration, preparing dishes such as fried eel, grilled eel, eel soup, eel stew, and eel prepared in a specialized pan known as a cataplana.

In the hilly terrain and inland plains around Santiago do Cacém, meat dishes take prominence on menus.

Notable options include pork tenderloin sourced from free-range Iberian pigs grazing among cork oak forests, which subsist on acorns. Alentejano classics such as lamb stew and migas, created by frying leftover bread soaked in water, also feature prominently.