Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Torres Novas, Portugal

Torres Novas is an attractive town situated in Portugal’s central Ribatejo region, dominated by the formidable structure of a medieval castle. The town is particularly known for its cultural heritage, notably as the birthplace of esteemed 19th-century Portuguese painter Carlos Reis, celebrated for his vivid portrayals of pastoral scenes. The municipal museum houses an impressive collection of his works, alongside pieces by other notable contemporaries.

For nature enthusiasts, the nearby chalk massifs, the Serras d’Aire and Serra dos Candeeiros, present ample opportunities for outdoor activities. These areas are protected by a natural park, offering visitors the chance to explore underground caves and discover dinosaur footprints.

Let’s explore the top attractions in Torres Novas:

1. Castle of Torres Novas

The prominent landmark, the Castle of Torres Novas, signifies the town’s historical political and strategic importance. Constructed by the Moors in the 1100s, it later became part of the Tagus Line after being reclaimed by Christian forces. This system consisted of fortifications established along the right bank of the Tagus River.

Along the path from Praça 5 de Outubro, one may encounter a tile panel depicting the momentous 10-day siege of 1190, which concluded Moorish dominance.

The castle’s structure comprises an extensive outer curtain featuring 11 towers, providing breathtaking views of the Ribatejo region.

At the center lies a serene garden, home to ancient 14th-century cypresses and pines, adding to the castle’s tranquil atmosphere.

2. Museu Municipal Carlos Reis

Within Torres Novas, the municipal museum showcases over 30 works by Carlos Reis, depicting both pastoral landscapes and portraits of rural life.

His paintings are presented alongside those of other celebrated Portuguese artists, such as José Malhoa, who shared a similar artistic vision.

The museum’s collection extends beyond fine art; it also features ecclesiastical artifacts and Roman archaeological findings from local excavations.

The ethnographic exhibits display antique agricultural implements, musical instruments, and costumes that vividly illustrate the rural scenes captured by Reis and Malhoa.

3. Roman Ruins of Villa Cardillio

Excavated in 1962, this affluent villa revealed a remarkable collection of artifacts, including bronze items, coins, ceramics, jewelry, and glassware originating from locations as distant as Egypt and Assyria.

The majority of these artifacts are preserved in the Carlos Reis Municipal Museum.

While exploring the site, visitors can admire intricate floor mosaics that showcase complex geometric designs.

The villa was characterized by a classic peristyle, an open courtyard with a colonnade, measuring 20 meters in length, with lower sections of the columns still intact.

Additionally, an exedra (portico) adorned with opus signinum (crushed tiles) and remains of the baths, featuring clearly defined hot and cold zones, can also be seen.

4. Igreja da Misericórdia de Torres Novas

This church is the most lavish religious structure in the town, originating in the mid-1500s, with embellishments and enhancements added over the subsequent two centuries.

Access requires traversing a grand baroque staircase leading to a splendid late-Renaissance portal adorned with columns and pediments.

Inside, visitors will find exquisite decor from every perspective, including an intricately carved coffered ceiling dating back to the 1500s, alongside azulejo panels from the 1600s, enveloping the walls entirely.

Be sure to seek out the nativity scene skillfully crafted by renowned 18th-century sculptor Joaquim Machado de Castro.

5. Praça 5 de Outubro

While modest in size, Torres Novas boasts an impressive central square that feels grand.

The southern edge of Praça 5 de Outubro is bordered by cafes featuring terraces that offer picturesque views of the castle.

This area also hosts the tourist office and various hotels housed in stately four-storey mansions.

Given the square’s ample dimensions and central significance, it hosts many of the town’s public festivities.

Visit in early June to engage with Memórias da História, a medieval fair showcasing a market, craft workshops, and reenactments involving numerous volunteers.

6. Grutas de Lapas

Located beneath the village of Lapas, two kilometers from Torres Novas, lies a stunning network of tunnels carved from soft tufa rock.

The origins of these tunnels remain a mystery; theories range from their use by Neolithic tribes for shelter to Christians seeking refuge in Roman times, or even as defensive structures for the Moors.

They may have also served as medieval quarries, as the structures in Lapas are primarily constructed from the same tufa stone.

Visitors are welcome to explore this unique site; simply knock on the caretaker’s door for entry.

7. Moinhos da Pena

Set against a picturesque backdrop, a series of 12 quaint windmills are positioned on a ridge overlooking the village of Assentis.

The age of these mills remains uncertain; however, it is known they were operational until 1965. In 1992, seven of them were restored and reopened as a museum.

This site serves as a tranquil spot to appreciate the surrounding countryside and observe the interiors of the restored mills where flour production continues.

A snack bar on site further encourages visitors to extend their stay in this charming environment.

8. Museu Nacional Ferroviário

Entroncamento, located adjacent to Torres Novas, is a railway town established at a critical junction in Portugal’s railway infrastructure in the 19th century.

There is no more suitable venue for Portugal’s National Railway Museum, which explores over 160 years of rail travel history.

The collection features steam and diesel locomotives and allows visitors the opportunity to tour luxurious royal and presidential carriages.

Additionally, the museum contains around 36,000 items including signaling equipment, antique ticket office furnishings, posters, textiles, kitchen utensils, and much more.

9. Parque Natural das Serras d’Aire e Candeeiros

The western side of Torres Novas encompasses a natural park that safeguards two significant chalk ranges.

Above ground, visitors can engage in outdoor activities in a predominantly tree-free area that boasts a remarkable beauty.

The park features 16 designated walking paths, including the Rota das Minas da Bezerra, which leads to a mining area that has lain abandoned for over fifty years.

Additionally, below the park’s surface, subterranean rivers have sculpted the soft rock, creating an intricate underground landscape.

Visitors can explore show caves such as the Mira de Aire Caves, located 15 kilometers from Torres Novas, known for their fascinating geological formations.

10. Monumento Natural das Pegadas de Dinossário

Located within the eastern section of the Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park, just minutes from Torres Novas, are the footprints left by sauropod dinosaurs from the Middle Jurassic period, approximately 175 million years ago.

These herbivorous giants were among the largest creatures ever to traverse the earth, weighing up to 70 tons and reaching lengths of 30 meters.

The tracks, measuring a meter in diameter, were fortuitously discovered in a quarry.

This site has since been designated as a 20-hectare park where visitors can follow the trail of a single dinosaur, covering approximately 150 meters and observing 20 footprints along the way.

An introductory video provides essential background information, and guided tours can be arranged upon request.

11. Reserva Natural do Paul do Boquilobo

Where the River Almonda merges with the Tagus, lies a wetland expanse exceeding 520 hectares.

This reserve’s allure stems from its diverse birdlife, which varies seasonally and supports an abundance of wading birds and waterfowl.

A mid-July visit may present an inspiring display of thousands of herons.

In November and February, large flocks of ducks and geese migrate through, making their presence known.

Regardless of the season, the reserve provides a peaceful environment for leisurely strolls, bordered by willow trees and reed beds along the banks of the Almonda.

12. Golegã

Situated nearby Torres Novas, Golegã is revered as Portugal’s “Capital of the Horse.” Every November, this small town by the Tagus hosts the renowned Feira Nacional do Cavalo (National Horse Fair), an event with origins tracing back to 1571. Golegã has long been recognized for its prestigious stud farms dedicated to the celebrated lusitano horse.

For ten days, the event features an engaging program of equestrian competitions and artistic performances that celebrate this equestrian heritage.

During this period, Golegã takes on a picturesque ambiance reminiscent of a western town, with attendees donning traditional riding attire and tying their horses outside local shops and eateries.

13. Tomar

Tomar, established on land granted to the Knights Templar following the reconquest of this area from the Moors in the 12th century, features notable historical attractions.

The Convento de Cristo, situated atop a prominent hill, includes a circular Romanesque church modeled after the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

The convent and its defensive structures are adorned with a wealth of architectural embellishments, including a striking 16th-century Manueline window and four magnificent cloisters.

The town below was meticulously planned in a grid pattern during the 1110s, using sacred geometry to establish precise distances between places of worship and other religious buildings.

14. Museu Agrícola de Riachos

The advent of industry in Ribatejo during the 19th century resulted in the rapid loss of traditional lifestyles that had persisted for generations.

This ethnographic museum in Riachos showcases a comprehensive collection of agricultural tools situated within a typical farmhouse featuring a wine cellar and barn.

Exhibits include traditional handicrafts, antique wooden carts, an original wine press, a copper distiller, and a selection of sickles and hoes.

The highlight of the collection, however, is the magnificent steam tractor from the early 1900s.

15. Food and Drink

The culinary offerings of Ribatejo are both simple and satisfying, sourcing ingredients locally.

To experience authentic flavors, consider sampling rice with morcela (blood sausage) as a starter, progressing to roasted young goat with garlic or a slow-cooked preparation in a clay pot with bacon (à Moda da Serra). Eels from the Tagus River are abundant and commonly served fried, grilled, or in stews at restaurants in Torres Novas.

Regarding wine, you are situated in the versatile Ribatejo DOC region, where you can find white, red, rosé, sparkling, or sweet wines.

Two local estates, Quinta do Vale Pequeno and Quinta de S. João Batista, offer visits to showcase their production processes.