Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Santarém, Portugal

Perched on a plateau beside the Tagus River, the city of Santarém served as the residence for Portugal’s monarchs during the Middle Ages. It also hosted the Cortes, the nation’s first parliament, which bestowed upon the city a remarkable collection of Gothic architecture present in its walls, churches, convents, and distinctive monuments, including a Gothic fountain featuring a royal emblem.

The elevation of the city, overlooking the fertile plains of the Tagus, provides breathtaking views, particularly from the Jardim das Portas do Sol, where visitors can survey the landscape from the city’s ancient battlements. If your visit coincides with a feira, be sure to witness the fandango do Ribatejo, a vibrant dance performed by two men mimicking a duel.

Let us examine the top attractions in Santarém:

1. Museu Diocesano

Located on Praça Sá da Bandeira, this museum occupies the northern wing of the Jesuit college and is integrated into the cathedral complex.

The architectural design and marble embellishments found in the cathedral and college are part of this museum’s offerings.

These opulent structures serve as a repository for religious artworks that have been painted, sculpted, and crafted within Santarém’s diocese.

Spanning from the 1200s to contemporary times, much of the artwork, particularly the statues, paintings, and later tile panels, exhibit a high level of craftsmanship reflective of the city’s royal patronage in the late Middle Ages.

2. Igreja da Graça

A designated Portuguese National Monument, this church is one of Santarém’s iconic symbols and a significant example of Gothic architecture.

Construction commenced in 1380 and progressed rapidly, culminating in the early 1400s, rendering the church consistent in Gothic style inside and out.

The façade is particularly striking with its sculpted archivolts adorned with floral motifs, surmounted by an elaborate rose window.

The three vast naves may appear understated compared to the Baroque churches of Santarém, yet the ribbed vaults and sepulchral slabs dating back to the 1400s are captivating.

3. Jardim das Portas do Sol

The site where the Castle of Santarém once stood has been transformed into a tranquil garden that offers a stunning view of the Tagus River.

Standing here, one can reflect on the long history of habitation that dates back to the 8th century BC, with remnants of Bronze Age settlements, as well as Roman, Visigothic, and Moorish influences.

During the 12th century, King Afonso Henriques used this fortress as a pivotal location for launching the Reconquista against Moorish forces.

Today, the garden showcases sections of the ancient walls and a statue of Afonso Henriques.

This location serves as a charming picnic spot in the summer, with shade provided by the trees and a refreshing breeze from the river plain.

4. Igreja de Santa Maria de Marvila

This church likely occupies the site of an earlier mosque and was inaugurated in the 1100s following the Christian Reconquista.

The original Gothic structure underwent significant modifications in the early 16th century.

These renovations were financed by Francisco de Almeida, the Viceroy of India, during which the intricately carved portal adorned with pinnacles and vegetal designs was created.

While much of the interior decoration is more recent, the most delightful aspect is the azulejos that decorate the walls.

The azulejos surrounding the holy water font are in the atapete style (meaning carpet) and date back to the 1620s.

5. Mercado Municipal

Santarém’s covered market has been in operation since 1928, featuring a large hall supported by metal columns and a roof, all enveloped by a more traditional façade.

You need not shop to appreciate this monument; the walls are adorned with 63 glazed tile panels crafted by Fábrica Aleluia in Aveiro, which depict the agricultural and trade history of the River Tagus and the broader Santarém region.

Within the hall, visitors can glimpse the everyday life of Santarém.

The market remains open until 12:00 daily and offers a range of produce, including fish, meat, fruits, vegetables, and flowers.

6. Old Town

The title of Capital do Gótico perfectly befits Santarém, as the city is rich with remnants of its medieval grandeur, primarily in the form of churches and convents.

Even fragments of its past can capture your attention, inviting hours of exploration into its historical legacy.

The narrow, ravine-like shopping streets offer an enjoyable stroll, paved with patterned calçada Portuguesa, and lead to cultural squares like Praça Sá da Bandeira, where major public gatherings occur.

7. Casa Museu Passos Canavarro

Almeida Garrett, the esteemed 19th-century writer, resided in this notable mansion in 1841 while composing his influential work, Viagens na Minha Terra (Travels in my Country), which immortalized the property.

The house is built over a medieval palace once belonging to Afonso Henriques, Portugal’s first king, thus representing a significant portion of both recent and historical Portuguese narrative.

The museum was established by the current owner, Pedro Cannavaro, who spent a significant part of his life in the Far East, curating a collection that includes paintings, porcelain, furniture, and decorative arts from Japan and China.

8. Miradouro de São Bento

Situated on the east side of Santarém, this viewpoint offers enchanting panoramas of the Tagus River and its expansive plain.

The scenery extends for many miles in the east and south, characterized by flat landscapes punctuated by the patterned fields, the course of the Tagus, and the Ponte de D. Luís, inaugurated in 1881 and stretching over 1,200 meters across the river.

The lookout platform is at the end of a modest esplanade, featuring a bar with a terrace for those wishing to enjoy the view while sipping a cool drink.

9. Torre das Cabaças

Adjacent to the Igreja de Santa Maria, this national monument serves as a fascinating remnant of the city’s historical defenses.

This structure was converted into a clock tower during the 1500s.

The colloquial name “Cabaças” (head) derives from the hollow clay gourds affixed to the iron campanile housing the bell, which were installed to enhance the bell’s resonance and humorously referred to the council members of the city as “hollow-headed.” The bell itself, dating back to 1604, once marked the rhythm of daily life in Santarém.

10. Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park

Located a mere 20-minute drive away, this natural park features a limestone massif filled with various natural marvels to discover.

Dinosaur footprints can be observed at Vale de Meious, revealed at one of the park’s former quarries.

The Mira de Aire caves have been recognized as one of Portugal’s seven natural wonders, allowing visitors to descend 110 meters into a vast cavern.

Fórnea, a cirque elevating over 200 meters, boasts a waterfall and is adorned with striking layers of rock and vegetation.

Moreover, the park includes castles, additional caves, salt pans, natural springs, and scenic farmland bordered by dry stone walls.

11. Casa dos Patudos

This remarkable home located across the Tagus in Alpiarça was the residence of José Relvas, who served briefly as Portugal’s 70th Prime Minister in 1919. He commissioned a house built in an extravagant Revivalist style in 1905, featuring an arcade, loggia, and pointed tower.

Upon his death in 1929, Relvas bequeathed the estate to the municipality, which was opened as a museum in 1960. An avid art collector, the mansion houses a collection of paintings, sculpture, glazed tiles, furniture, and porcelain from various origins, including Portugal, Europe, Japan, China, India, and Persia.

12. Convento de São Francisco

This charming 13th-century convent represents yet another of Santarém’s Gothic treasures.

After a period of neglect following a fire in 1940, it reopened in 2012. The interior may appear austere, partly due to the relocation of medieval artifacts like the tomb of King Fernando I to museums in Lisbon.

However, the allure of the cloister is undeniable, featuring two levels, ribbed vaulting, and capitals with intricate foliate patterns, as well as a depiction of Aesop’s fable, The Fox and the Grapes.

13. Fonte das Figueiras

Nestled against the walls in the São Salvador parish lies a concealed Gothic fountain dating back to the 14th century, during the reign of King Denis I or Afonso IV. The fountain was collaboratively funded by the city and the crown, as evidenced by the visible coats of arms.

This fountain served as a vital water source at the Porta de Atamarma, which connected the citadel to the Ribeira quarter situated by the river.

The scene itself is picturesque, highlighted by a romantic stone canopy, featuring three ogival arches, and capped by pointed merlons resembling those of the city wall.

14. Festival Nacional de Gastronomia

For a span of 11 days each October, Santarém hosts a national gastronomic festival, celebrating the culinary traditions of the Ribatejo region.

Patrons can enjoy live cooking demonstrations, themed lunch experiences at 12 traditional restaurants, and various concept eateries around the city.

During this festival period, numerous artisan producers display their offerings, specializing in herbs and spices, cheese, and traditional convent-style pastries.

In terms of wine, representatives from all DOC wine regions of Portugal participate, with a particular focus on Ribatejo wines, which include an array of reds, whites, sparklings, and fortified selections.

15. Complexo Aquático de Santarém

Summers in central Portugal can be quite hot, hence many towns feature municipal outdoor swimming pools.

Santarém’s aquatic center is among the better facilities, attributing to its widespread popularity.

For those preferring a more subdued experience, an early morning visit will allow for a quiet swim.

However, families with children or teenagers will find delight in the three water slides.

While the young ones have fun, adults can relax under the shade of parasols and palm trees that line the grassy areas surrounding the pools.