This thermal spa town in central Portugal is known for its ceramic art traditions, daily produce market, and 15th-century hospital founded by Queen Leonor.
One hour north of Lisbon, Caldas da Rainha grew from a 15th-century thermal hospital into an artistic center. You can watch local farmers sell fresh produce at the morning market, see artisans hand-paint ceramics at the Bordallo Pinheiro Factory, or row a boat on the lake in Parque Dom Carlos I. The city sits 10 kilometers from Atlantic beaches and the medieval town of Óbidos.
Getting to Caldas da Rainha
You'll find Caldas da Rainha 90 kilometers north of Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport. Regular buses depart from Lisbon's Sete Rios station to Caldas da Rainha, with the journey taking about 75 minutes. If you're driving, take the A8 motorway which connects the city to both Lisbon and Porto, making day trips to major Portuguese cities straightforward.
Daily Market at Praça da República
Every morning of the year, local farmers gather at Praça da República to create Portugal's only daily produce market. They bring fresh vegetables, fruits, and flowers to the square, while other vendors sell regional cheeses and bread. You can watch the market activity from the square's cafes while trying cavacas - crunchy shell-shaped pastries covered in sugar icing. The market has operated continuously since the 15th century, maintaining its role as the city's social hub.
Ceramic Arts and Museums
The Museu da Cerâmica, housed in a 19th-century mansion, holds pottery collections from the 1600s to present day. You'll learn about the city's ceramic tradition, born from abundant local clay deposits and shaped by artist Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro. Visit the Bordallo Pinheiro Factory on weekdays to watch artisans create tableware and decorative pieces using traditional methods.
Historic Thermal Hospital
Queen Leonor built the Hospital Termal in 1485, where doctors continue treating patients today. The building's architecture includes pointed Gothic arches and Renaissance columns, while its walls contain painted tiles depicting scenes from the hospital's history. The attached museum contains medical instruments and documents spanning five centuries of thermal treatments.
Parque Dom Carlos I
This central park began as a garden for thermal hospital patients in the late 1700s and now includes winding paths, mature trees, and a boating lake. Three museums line the park: the José Malhoa Museum contains 19th-century Portuguese paintings and sculptures, the Museum of Cycling tells the story of competitive cycling through artifacts and photographs, and a contemporary art center runs exhibitions throughout the year.
Beaches and Lagoon
At Foz do Arelho beach, you can choose between the calm waters of Óbidos Lagoon and the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. The lagoon attracts windsurfers and swimmers, while experienced surfers head to the ocean side. Walk along the wooden boardwalk to see both water bodies at once. For something different, drive to Salir do Porto beach to climb Portugal's highest sand dunes.
Medieval Óbidos
Just 8 kilometers from Caldas da Rainha stands the town of Óbidos, encircled by medieval walls. As you walk its streets, you'll pass white buildings with terracotta roofs leading up to a 12th-century castle. Stop at small shops to try ginja, a cherry liqueur served in chocolate cups. The town walls form a walkable circuit with views across red rooftops to the countryside beyond.
