History, natural beauty and traditional sweets invite you to discover Abrantes, in the Middle Tagus
In the Middle Tagus region, Abrantes is located on the right bank of the river. It was founded in the 12th century and was born from the need to defend the conquered territories and ensure the active life of Santarém. To this end, D. Afonso Henriques donated the castle to the Order of S. Tiago da Espada in 1173 and, six years later, granted it a charter.
Abrantes has a name recorded in the History of Portugal. In 1385, D. João I, with D. Nuno Álvares Pereira, was in the city with the troops before leaving for the battle of Aljubarrota, as Luís Vaz de Camões tells in “Os Lusíadas”. The Tagus was the main route of communication and, on the south bank, an important river port emerged. Products arrived here by land from Alentejo and from here they departed by river to Lisbon.
The river is an identity element of the region, accompanying walks and nature trails, with viewpoints on the various routes, including part of the Grande Rota do Zêzere. Abrantes, which is part of the Middle Tagus region, is a privileged territory for nature tourism, escaping the hustle and bustle of large cities in close proximity to waters and forests. It is also bathed by the magnificent water mirror of the Castelo do Bode Albufeira, an invitation to discover river beaches and practice nautical activities.
Abrantes Castle
CM Abrantes
Views of several Portuguese provinces
In the Castle of Abrantes, conquered from the Moors by D. Afonso Henriques, in the 12th century, the Church of Santa Maria do Castelo stands out, currently the D. Lopo de Almeida Museum, the Palace of Alcaides or Governors, with an arcade front facing the city, the Torre de Menagem, built by D. Afonso III and completed during the reign of D. Dinis, in 1300, from where you can see a rare 360-degree panoramic view over the Tagus River, Ribatejo, Alto Alentejo and Beira Baixa and Outeiro de S. Pedro, a small hill transformed into a military stronghold in 1809. We suggest exploring the route of the five castles: Abrantes, Almourol, Ourém, Tomar and Torres Novas. Take a stop at the Rio de Moinhos Docking Pier, take a pedestrian route in the historic center, discover the architecture of several churches and houses, enjoy small corners and viewpoints. Along the streets and squares you will find traditional shops. Discover Jardim da República, Largo João de Deus and Praça Ator Taborda. At Confeitaria Palha de Abrantes, in Praça Barão da Batalha, area of the old Mercado da Palha for animals, enjoy and taste the famous, traditional and conventual Palha de Abrantes, made from egg yolk with almonds and topped with egg threads taken to the oven to be lightly toasted, and also the popular Tigeladas.
Aquapolis in Abrantes
Tourism Central Portugal
Award-winning arts and museum trails
The historic center of Abrantes is also an excellent route for art lovers. Note, in Largo Dr. Ramiro Guedes, the Chronological Historical Panel of Abrantes, authored by Óscar Guimarães. It contains marble images, which are intended to symbolize the most important phases in the city’s history. In Alto de Santo António Park, stroll past iron sculptures in the open air, works resulting from the I and II Abrantes Iron Sculpture Symposium. At MIAA – Iberian Museum of Archeology and Art (Tel. 241330103), Museum of the Year 2023, installed in the Convent of S. Domingos, built in the 16th century, a centerpiece of the built heritage of the city of Abrantes, renovated by the architect Carrilho da Graça , gets to know the municipal archeology and art collections of the Municipality of Abrantes and the Estrada Collection, as well as the work of the painter Maria Lucília Moita. In addition to exhibitions dedicated to archeology, it also organizes contemporary art exhibitions with works from Figueiredo Ribeiro’s collection. Where there was industrial activity less than half a century ago, only memories and archaeological heritage remained. The use of these testimonies was reinvented and the Museu Metalúrgica Duarte Ferreira was born (Tel. 968504601), also Museum of the Year, in this case in 2018, a project that involved the local community in donating assets, sharing stories and identifying parts.
Fontes River Beach
Water sports on river beaches
It is one of the best known and most visited of Abrantes’ river beaches. Located in the parish of Aldeia do Mato, 20 minutes from the city of Abrantes, this beach stands out for its clean and crystal clear waters, coming from the Castelo do Bode dam. The beach is surrounded by a natural landscape where the green tops of stone pines predominate in contrast with the blue of the river. It has a floating pool, lawn areas to lay out a towel and relax, a picnic park for picnics, a small café that serves snacks, drinks and light meals. Segredos da Aldeia-Nova Aventura rents canoes, paddle boards in the summer months. It is still possible to practice windsurfingkayak and wakeboard. On land, it promotes bicycle tours and activities (mountain biking and cycle tourism) and segway. It also provides bungalows for overnight stay (Tel.241849085). Praia Fluvial de Fontes, located in Cabeça Ruiva, 30 minutes from the city of Abrantes, is a popular destination for families. Known for its calm waters, it has an atmosphere that provides moments of calm and tranquility. There you can see the Fontes viewpoint, overlooking the Castelo do Bode dam. Take the panoramic route between Matagosa and Fontes, part of the Grande Rota do Zêzere.
Ribeira de Arcês
On the Great Route of Ribeiras de Arcês, Rio Frio and Rio Tejo
Abrantes brings together in its location the advantage of the waters of rivers and streams and the Castelo do Bode reservoir. A suggestion integrated into the Grande Rota das Ribeiras de Arcês, Rio Frio and Rio Tejo, its starting point is the Lapa Leisure area, crossing the promenade lined with monumental eucalyptus trees and a picnic area. Visit the Chapel of Senhora da Lapa and head towards Vale Formoso through the forest area to the Chapel of São Francisco de Assis, in Pisão Cimeiro. Reaches Saramaga, Follow the path that dominates the agricultural land on the bank of one of the tributaries of the Rio Frio river to, after the bridge, reach Queixoperra. The journey ends in the “village of the 7 judgments”. In the next stage, walk through the forest to the sound of water through the valley, towards Aterro dos Burros on the way to Lercas. It bends through the passage to the southeast, returning to contact with the river, where small diversions provide access to mills and oil presses. Follow the waterline, cross the asphalt, until close to Fonte dos Pinheiros, and then reach the Chapel of Nossa Senhora dos Matos. Winding between trees and agricultural fields, we return to the river of Rio Frio, driving force of mills and mills visited along the route. After Lagar do Domingos, head to Cascalhos, Oliveira do Mouchão and the oldest tree in Portugal, the suggestion is to follow the connecting branch to Mouriscas, where the journey ends.
National Traditional Sweets Fair
CM Abrantes
Eating Palha de Abrantes and sweets from Portugal
More than three dozen Portuguese sweets exhibitors gather in Abrantes, from October 25th to 27th, for the XXII National Traditional Sweets Fair, XXII National Traditional Sweets Fair. Installed on Esplanada 1º de Maio, the event where Palha and Tigelada de Abrantes are queens, is still a place to taste hundreds of specialties of the rich Portuguese sweets, from Guimarães to Évora, including the Azores and Madeira. There will be no shortage, in terms of local offerings, in addition to Palha and Tigeladas, Honey and Nut Broas and Broas dos Santos, Egg Lamprey, Limes, Sweet Chestnuts and Mulatos. In this city in Central Portugal, these recipes are joined by other equally traditional recipes such as Tortas de Guimarães, Pão de Ló de Ovar and Margaride, Queijadas de S. Gonçalo, Fogaças de Santa Maria da Feira, Pedras Parideiras from Arouca, Ovos-moles from Aveiro, Pastéis from Tentúgal, Cornucópias from Alcobaça, Boleimas, Egg sweets, Fidalgo, Bolo rançoso and Sericaia from Alentejo. From the islands, try the Queijadas from Graciosa and the Bolos Lêvedos from the Azores, as well as the Madeira honey cake. To match the confectionery, there is ginjinha, poncha and Madeira wine. This Fair features several musical moments, from fado to regional songs, sharing knowledge regarding endogenous products, cooking demonstrations, children’s programs and even a cycle tour.
Casa Chef Victor Felisberto
Guardians of Ribatejo’s gastronomic heritage
The regional gastronomic offer is varied in the municipality of Abrantes. It ranges from “Cabbage soup with beans” drizzled with local olive oil to “Cabrito guisado”, or roasted in the oven, “Entrecote with migas”, “Stew boar” and “Bucho” (snack) to river fish such as “ Lamprey rice”, “Shad fish”, “Grilled largemouth bass”, “River fish fry”, “Eel stew” or “Fried eels”. Casa Chef Victor Felisberto (tel. 931737898) is a showcase for the regional cuisine of Ribatejo, as well as wines from the Tagus region. Selected by the Boa Cama Boa Mesa Guide of 2024 and distinguished with the Recheio Quality Seal, it has a kitchen open to one of the three rooms that make up the restaurant, where “Assado misto” and “Cabrito asado” are served, ancient recipes made in a wood-fired oven. The “Perdiz à moda de Alferrarede”, an old Abrantine recipe, is prepared according to tradition. Another suggestion from the Boa Cama Boa Mesa 2024 Guide, the restaurant A Velha (Tel. 963815466), is the address where river fish options reign supreme.
Partridge in the Alferrarede style
Quinta da Eira Velha
A family dreams, rural tourism is born
Quinta da Eira Velha (Tel. 241841177), located in Aldeia do Mato, which dates back to the 13th century, offers panoramic views over the waters of Castelo do Bode and the green hills. Born from the recovery of a family farm that included the restoration of an old threshing floor, this property invites you to stroll through the pine and eucalyptus forests and, when temperatures allow, take a refreshing bath in the reservoir water pool. In the village of Pego, about 15 minutes from Abrantes, in addition to Confraria do Bucho e das Tripas, you will find a proposed guesthouse, Quinta de Coalhos (Tel. 241833294), protected by a small tree, with architecture similar to that of romantic chalets from the early years of the 20th century. It has three floors, a hipped tower and a swimming pool. It is a unit that integrates Casas do Ribatejo, belonging to the Casario Ribatejano Association. In Alvega, stay in a historic mansion, Solar de Alvega (Tel. 241833294), built in the 18th century by Count Caldeira de Mendanha, located next to the Tagus River. Its particularities include a waterfall and landscaped gardens. It also has a swimming pool and terrace with sun loungers for sunbathing.
Castelo do Bode Dam Reservoir
Tourism Central Portugal
Weekend itinerary is a Boa Cama Boa Mesa initiative, with the support of Recheio, which weekly, throughout 2024, will present the main gastronomic events, including festivals, fairs and exhibitions, which promote regions, restaurants and local products .
This project is supported by sponsors, with all content created, edited and produced by Expresso (see code of conduct), without external interference.
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