Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Rio Maior, Portugal

Situated on the southern slopes of the Serra de Candeeiros range, Rio Maior is a locality renowned for a unique natural occurrence found nearby. The salt flats, remarkably distant from the ocean, have been utilized by residents since the 12th century.

This natural park should be integral to your itinerary, whether you plan to traverse its expansive arid valleys on foot, by bicycle, or on horseback, or to delve into the depths of its impressive show-caves. Additionally, there are numerous local attractions to explore, including a prehistoric dolmen incorporated within a church and a Roman villa featuring mosaics that remain in near-pristine condition.

Let us examine the most notable activities in Rio Maior:

1. Salinas Naturais de Rio Maior

This natural wonder features salt flats that seem misplaced in this landscape.

Located 30 kilometers from the ocean, these flats are the only active interior salt flats in Europe capable of industrial-level salt production.

The salinity of the water exceeds that of seawater by seven times, resulting from an ancient sea that has since receded, leaving behind saline water that filters through an underground salt layer.

The scene of salt production amidst lush agricultural and vineyard surroundings is striking, and tours are available for those intrigued by this unusual spectacle.

It is a photograph-worthy location, especially for the stunning salt pyramids.

2. Villa Romana de Rio Maior

The Roman villa adjacent to the river was uncovered in the 1980s, with excavations commencing in 1995. This residence dates back to the turn of the 4th century and showcases the luxury and opulence of its era through its intricately designed mosaics.

Additionally, the villa is part of a larger archaeological site that has not been fully excavated.

Remains of baths, temples, and service areas await discovery.

Visit the tourist office in Rio Maior to organize a guided tour.

3. Casa Senhorial d’El Rei D. Miguel

This elegant townhouse situated in the center of Rio Maior is named in honor of King Miguel I, who resided here during the Portuguese Liberal Wars.

Although the house dates back several centuries, it was remodeled in the Baroque style during the 1700s.

Noteworthy artifacts recovered from the Roman villa can be viewed here, with the most remarkable being the marble nymph.

This feature once adorned a fountain, evident from the area where water would have flowed from her left hand.

Visitors can also find a scale model of the villa alongside exhibits of local artistry.

4. Dólmen de Alcobertas

Do not miss the opportunity to visit this megalith in the nearby Alcobertas, which was later converted to serve the village’s parish church.

Ranking among the ten largest monuments of its kind in the Iberian Peninsula, the dolmen is approximately 4,000 years old, composed of a chamber entered via a granite stone corridor.

In the 1400s, the church incorporated the dolmen as a side chapel, creating a small altar and capping the structure with a terracotta roof.

Experiencing a prehistoric pagan monument through a church entrance is quite peculiar! While at the church, take a moment to admire the baptismal and holy water fonts from the 1500s and the intricately painted azulejos from the 1600s.

5. Jardim Municipal de Rio Maior

Renowned for fresh air and greenery, Rio Maior’s municipal park spans three hectares of lawns and trees, located to the southeast of the center.

Families with young children may appreciate the playground, while those seeking a shaded area for morning runs will find ample foliage.

As you explore, you can observe several notable buildings, including the courthouse, centrally located, featuring an unusually bold architectural design from the 1960s.

Another architectural highlight is the parish church, distinguished by its asymmetrical avant-garde lines.

6. Igreja da Misericórdia de Rio Maior

The town is home to a modern parish church, constructed after the original fell into disrepair in the early 1700s.

Thus, this temple served as the primary place of worship until the 1960s.

It stands out as the finest Baroque structure in the region, characterized by 17th and 18th-century enhancements on a foundation of 16th-century Renaissance style.

Particularly notable is the central altar within the chancel, adorned with 18th-century gilt wood, rich in religious symbolism represented through cherubs, vine patterns, doves, and lambs.

Other remarkable features include two 16th-century polychrome statues of Mary (Our Lady of Sorrows) and St John the Baptist.

7. Gruta de Alcobertas

The Serra dos Candeeiros is interspersed with caves, including a significant one located within the Rio Maior municipality at Alcobertas.

This site proves intriguing for both its human history and geological features, having been inhabited for over 5,000 years, with human remains dating back to the late Neolithic period, approximately 4,000 years ago.

Spanning over 200 meters, the cave comprises four chambers with ceilings soaring up to nine meters high.

As early as the 1870s, the caves drew modern curiosity, attracting numerous visitors and eventually leading to their closure, with access now restricted.

The Cooperativa Terra Chá currently manages the site; inquire with them for tour details.

8. Parque Natural de las Sierras de Aire y Candeeiros

For those keen on exploring more caves, the natural park presents a wealth of options.

The choice of a bat as the park’s mascot signifies the intriguing subterranean activity present within.

Underneath lies calcareous rock that has been shaped by underground rivers, forming cave systems adorned with unique formations.

Noteworthy caves include Alvados, Mira de Aire, Moeda, and Santo Antonio.

During daylight, the rugged mountain ranges exhibit a raw majesty, characterized by deep valleys of white rock interspersed with sparse pine, juniper, and olive trees.

9. Forno Medieval de Alcobertas

Designated the Núcleo Arqueológico de Alcobertas, this medieval archaeological site has been transformed into an interpretation center.

Unearthed in the 1950s, it served as a community kiln for baking ceramics for the entire village.

The kiln’s walls, constructed from raw clay, are ten centimeters thick, and visitors can view its sump, duct, furnace, and chamber from an elevated platform.

The structure’s new walls feature informative signs detailing its functioning and historical usage.

10. Museu Didático do Automóvel em Miniatura

Located in Assentiz, near Rio Maior, this distinctive museum is housed in a former kindergarten.

Within display cases, visitors will find a collection of approximately 1,000 miniature cars from various eras, along with an additional 500 in the museum’s archives.

The curator, Rui Teixeira, opened this labor of love to the public to enhance Rio Maior’s tourist appeal and provide a space for locals of all ages.

The museum also features a workshop for maintaining the miniatures, a library, and a screening room where guests can watch a 60-minute video about the collection if they desire to learn more.

11. Silos de Alcobertas

Another historical curiosity found in Alcoertas is a network of medieval storage chambers carved from stone.

Discovered within the village’s gravel quarry, these small caves have been historically referenced since the 1400s, although their use likely predates that era.

These silos were designed to securely store harvests away from animals, water, or moisture, and were typically sealed with sand or limestone slabs.

In many cases, the original stone sealing remained at the entrance when they were excavated.

12. Village of Chãos and Terra Chã

Located on a small plateau on the rocky southern slope of the Serra dos Candeeiros, the quaint village of Chãos is set among olive groves.

A unique feature of this area is the visibility of ancient dry-stone walls from long-established residences.

These structures, known as “eiras,” are circular in design, broken by a small entrance, and typically have mud or stone slabs on their floors.

The scarcity of water in this elevated region prompted innovative solutions, and instead of relying on wells, numerous historic cisterns were excavated to capture and store rainwater.

13. Outdoor Recreation

Situated at the edge of one of Portugal’s largest natural parks, the area offers abundant opportunities for outdoor activities.

For those interested in underground exploration, you can connect with cavers through the tourist office for an authentic adventure.

In addition, nearby stables organize horseback rides and treks in the park using ponies or Lusitano horses. The terrain is also suitable for biking, with options to rent mountain bikes for the day.

Alternatively, you can opt for hiking on 16 different trails leading to scenic viewpoints, historical ruins, abandoned mines, or smaller caves.

14. Day Trips

Rio Maior is situated along an ancient Roman road, making it a strategically located town.

The coast is just under half an hour away, featuring one of Portugal’s finest beaches at Foz do Arelho, nestled between the Atlantic waves and the clear waters of Óbidos Lagoon.

Óbidos, a fortified medieval village and once the traditional residence of the Queen of Portugal, is captivating with its web of alleyways enclosed by castle walls.

Caldas da Rainha is a charming spa town known for its beautifully crafted ceramics.

Additionally, Santarém, a city located 20 minutes to the east, overlooks the Tagus river plain and is celebrated for its Gothic architectural heritage.

15. Food and Drink

The culinary offerings in Rio Maior are characterized by simplicity and robust flavors, influenced by Mediterranean elements due to the influx of southern workers in agriculture and mining.

Staple ingredients include olive oil, olives, wine, and bread, with cornbread (broa de milho) being particularly notable as the foundation of migas: bread soaked in water, then fried with garlic and pork.

Lapardana features either pork or salted cod (bacalhau) baked alongside seasoned potatoes and bread with olive oil and garlic.

Roasted rooster with walnuts is also a delectable option.

Lastly, don’t miss the opportunity to purchase flor do sal, a herb-infused salt, from the shop at the salt flats in Rio Maior.