Top 15 Activities and Attractions in Entroncamento, Portugal

This railway town located in the Tagus Valley emerged during the industrial era when workers established camps at a junction in the network (“entroncamento” translates to junction in Portuguese). Consequently, it developed into a crucial hub for both freight and passenger trains heading north and east. Renowned figures of the period frequently dined at the station’s restaurant before transferring their journeys.

It is fitting that Portugal’s National Railway Museum is situated in Entroncamento, serving as a comprehensive record of the steam era. The broader Tagus Valley captivates visitors with its charming villages known for breeding Lusitano horses, coupled with a chain of medieval castles, two of which are situated moments from the town.

Let’s explore the best attractions in Entroncamento:

1. Museu Nacional Ferroviário

Entroncamento was established around the railways, which served as its lifeblood for over a century.

During the height of steam train travel in the 1940s, over half of the town’s population was employed in this sector.

Thus, it is an appropriate location for a railway museum.

This museum, having reopened in 2015, reveals 160 years of railway heritage featuring locomotives, carriages, tools, photographs, and memorabilia such as posters and tickets.

Among the exhibits are several presidential carriages, but the crown jewel must be the Dom Luiz, the train used by the Portuguese monarchy in the 1800s.

2. Locomotiva 094

There is another testament to Entroncamento’s railway heritage represented by a steam locomotive situated in the center of a fountain, which is beautifully illuminated at night.

This locomotive belongs to the 070-097 series that was first introduced in Portugal in 1916, recognized as the most efficient and well-balanced steam locomotives to operate in the country.

This particular locomotive is the 25th of 28 and possesses a fascinating history, as it was manufactured by the Kassel-based Henschel & Sohn company in the 1920s and delivered to Portugal as a result of Germany’s reparations post-World War I.

3. Parque Verde do Bonito

This newly established city park opened in 2013 and is ideal for leisurely, sun-soaked days.

It features flower gardens, small shaded squares, playgrounds for children, and fishing areas along a reservoir fed by the Santa Catarina River.

Additionally, the park includes a restaurant, observatory, mini-golf course, and picnic areas, making it a tranquil and cost-effective venue to enjoy quality family time.

In late June, some of Entroncamento’s São João festivities also take place in this scenic space, highlighted by nightly events at the amphitheater.

4. Castle of Torres Novas

Although only the outer walls of this medieval castle remain, they create a picturesque setting adjacent to the town of Torres Novas.

The park surrounding the castle is free of charge and is populated with doves and peacocks amidst its lawns, pines, and cedars.

Visitors can ascend stone stairways to the nine crenellated towers, surveying the landscape much like a guard would have done a millennium ago.

The remaining walls date back to the Moorish period, and the castle was ultimately reclaimed by the Portuguese in the 1130s.

The gardens and walls host a medieval fair each October, featuring markets and reenactments.

5. Casa-Estúdio Carlos Relvas

Carlos Relvas was a 19th-century landowner renowned for modernizing agriculture in the Ribatejo region.

However, his reputation stems from his various interests, particularly in challenging sports like bullfighting.

His greatest passion was photography; he was a distinguished member of the Société Française de Photographie, earning multiple accolades for his works.

In 1872, he commissioned this remarkable house-studio to delve deeper into his artistic pursuit.

The structure integrates a beautiful residence with an iron and glass canopy, allowing abundant light to enter his studio.

Exhibitions of Relvas’ photographs are displayed, along with newly restored pieces as they become available.

6. Castle of Almourol

One of Portugal’s most iconic sights lies just a few minutes along the Tagus River.

The Castle of Almourol rests on a rocky island visible on the river, resembling a scene from a fantasy film.

Visitors can navigate the rocky path to reach it, but embarking on a boat presents a more ceremonial approach to experiencing this stunning edifice.

This island, defensible by nature, has evidence of human habitation traceable back to Celtic times.

It served as a stronghold for various groups, including Romans, Visigoths, and Moors, until it was taken by the Portuguese in 1129, later coming under the control of the Knights Templar.

Informative boards are placed throughout the castle, guiding visitors through its staircases and corridors while offering breathtaking views from the towers.

7. Igreja Matriz da Golegã

This church, designated as a National Monument, stands in the center of Golegã and exemplifies the Manueline architectural style popular in Portugal during the 1500s.

This style represents a blend of Late Gothic and Spanish Plateresque architecture, reflecting a nation in the midst of global exploration.

The namesake, King Manuel I, likely visited this church numerous times, with his coat of arms and personal emblem, the armillary sphere, adorning various carvings throughout the structure.

The principal portal features elaborate masonry flanked by intricately twisted columns, complemented by magnificent vaulting in the nave.

8. Museu Municipal da Máquina de Escrever

During your visit to Golegã, you might notice a charming painted building featuring ogival arches; this is the Palacete Marques de Almeida, which has housed the local library since 2006.

Inside, you will find a unique attraction, a museum dedicated entirely to typewriters, the collection of which is curated by local collector Artur Azinhais. This museum, inaugurated in 2013, displays 350 pieces ranging from the late 1800s to the 1960s and 70s.

For older visitors, this museum offers a nostalgic journey through brands such as Olympia, Bennett, Remington, Royal, and Corona.

9. Golegã National Horse Fair

The area surrounding Entroncamento boasts a profound tradition in Lusitano horse breeding and equestrian activities.

Additionally, for ten days every November, a prominent horse fair occurs in the nearby town of Golegã.

This quaint town transforms into a focal point of activity, featuring a packed schedule of riding demonstrations and competitions for model and gait.

There is an element of elegance, with attendees often dressed in traditional Portuguese riding attire.

Shops and stalls sell equestrian gear, and as night falls, the venues in Golegã become lively and welcoming.

10. Equuspolis

Golegã has earned the title of Capital do Cavalo (Capital of the Horse), and this reputation has been cleverly woven into its cultural and arts center.

The complex features an architecture evoking the silhouette of two horses and includes a museum, a gallery for temporary exhibitions, an auditorium, and a green space along the riverside.

The museum is the primary attraction here, dedicated to the 20th-century sculptor and painter Martins Correia, whose public works are showcased in Lisbon and at some of Portugal’s esteemed modern art institutions, including the Soares dos Reis in Porto.

11. Centro Ciência Viva de Constância

For those with a penchant for discovery, a magnificent observatory and science museum await on a hilltop outside Constância.

Remarkably, many of the exhibits are situated outdoors.

Visitors can explore a moving model of the solar system and a celestial sphere, among other interactive modules nestled within a pine forest.

The planetarium, designed to be below ground, offers regular shows, and there are frequently scheduled stargazing evenings where viewers can watch images transmitted live from the observatory’s telescope to screens within the auditorium.

12. Festas de São João e da Cidade

If you time your visit to Entroncamento for the latter part of June, you will experience a lively atmosphere as the town hosts its annual festivities.

These celebrations typically commence a few days prior to St. John’s Day on the 24th and continue for several days afterward, transforming the town square into a vibrant market filled with tents and stalls.

While many stalls offer food and drinks, others showcase local handicrafts, and there is also a designated area for children’s entertainment.

The entire community participates in the festive spirit, marked by evening concerts, traditional processions, and folk dances.

13. Castelo do Bode Dam

Located just a short drive from Entroncamento, one of the tallest structures in Portugal is accessible in under 20 minutes.

This substantial arch-gravity dam was constructed in the late 1940s and features a hydroelectric power station.

The drive leading to the dam showcases picturesque rural landscapes, adding to the experience.

For those intrigued by monumental engineering, the dam is indeed an impressive sight, and the vantage point along the walkway—115 meters above the river—offers stunning views of the Zêzere River below.

Additionally, the expansive 33-square-kilometer artificial lake becomes a popular leisure destination during the summer months.

Features include a modest but attractive beach with designated swimming areas, a bar, camping facilities, and picnic spots.

14. Horseback Riding

It is essential to highlight that visitors to Entroncamento can actively partake in equestrian activities as well.

Several stables in the area cater to both beginners and seasoned riders; a highly recommended facility is Ride and Escape, located merely 15 minutes away in Constância.

This equestrian center features an arena for skill development, along with guided rides through the scenic eucalyptus valleys and vineyards, where the Lusitano horses demonstrate their agility and responsiveness.

15. Local Gastronomy

The gastronomy of Ribatejo is vibrant, with each town featuring its own signature dishes.

In Entroncamento, the Portuguese classic of cod is prevalent, typically baked and paired with “crushed” potatoes prepared with garlic and olive oil.

For a quick snack, empanadas de carne offer a delightful savory option, filled with minced beef.

Another local specialty includes duck roasted with rice and chouriço sausage.

Desserts include rice pudding and tigeladas, a sweet pie made from eggs and flour, often spiced with cinnamon.