This calm hilltop town in Ribatejo has a 12th-century Romanesque church and was the birthplace of Portugal's first king. Its whitewashed old center has local wine bars and cafes.
Santarém sits on a plateau above the Tagus River in central Portugal. You'll find Gothic churches like Igreja da Graça with its stone rose window, and São João do Alporão Church with its unique Romanesque-Gothic architecture. Walk through the granite-paved streets to reach Portas do Sol, a garden with views of the river valley. Visit during the National Agricultural Fair in June or the Gastronomy Festival in October to taste local dishes like eel stew and wines from nearby vineyards.
Walking Through Medieval Streets
The historic center of Santarém has narrow granite-paved streets and stone staircases. Begin at the 14th-century Clock Tower (Cabaças Tower), which houses the Time Museum. Look up to see the hollow decorative elements at its top - these once made the bell sounds louder throughout the town. Walking north leads you to São João do Alporão Church, built during the transition between Romanesque and Gothic styles, now an art museum.
Gothic Churches of Santarém
The Igreja da Graça contains a large rose window carved from a single stone block. Inside, you can visit the tomb of Pedro Álvares Cabral, the Portuguese navigator who reached Brazil in 1500. At the Church of Nossa Senhora de Marvila, you'll see 17th-century diamond-patterned azulejo tiles covering the walls. The Santa Clara Church represents the minimalist Gothic style used in religious order buildings.
Portas do Sol and City Views
Visit Portas do Sol, the former site of a Moorish castle captured in 1147. This garden includes sections of medieval walls and overlooks the Tagus River valley and plains. Stop at the UrbiScallabis Visitor's Center to learn about Santarém's Roman past when it was called Scalabis. Come in the morning for the clearest views of the agricultural landscape.
Local Food and Markets
Visit the municipal market, with its blue azulejo tiles showing local scenes, on market days (twice weekly) to buy local produce. The city's location near the Tagus River influences its cooking - try eel stew, shad açorda (bread casserole with fish), or seasonal lamprey. Local wines come from nearby Almeirim and Cartaxo regions, which go well with migas ribatejanas, a traditional meat dish.
Getting Around and Transportation
Trains connect Lisbon to Santarém every day, taking 45 minutes from Santa Apolonia or Oriente stations. The train station is 2 kilometers from the city center. You can easily walk around the old town, though expect some steep climbs between the lower town and historic center.
Seasonal Events
In early June, the CNEMA exhibition grounds host the National Agricultural Fair, where you can see livestock displays and farming equipment. The National Gastronomy Festival runs for 10 days in late October, letting you taste dishes from across Portugal. Both events include Portuguese music and cultural shows.
