Things to do in

Santarém, Portugal

Spend a day in the Portuguese City of Tomar to discover the history of the Knights Templar. Your journey will begin in Lisbon. Tomar was the Templar capital of Portugal and Spain and one of the most important in the medieval world. The main monument of the city is the Tomar Convento de Cristo, Guide and Ticket inlcuded. which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. A short distance from Tomar is the Almourol Castle. This emblematic monument was at one time controlled by the Knights Templar.  The Almourol Castle and the city of Tomar are perfect examples to understand the mystique of the Templars, men that were simultaneously Warrior Knights and monks that lived under a rigid military discipline, but at the same time with a great rigor in the spiritual life. At the end of the tour, you will be dropped off at one of two locations in central Lisbon, either Restauradores or Marquês de Pombal.

Embark on a day trip from Lisbon to the spiritual cities of Fátima and Santarém. Visit the Sanctuary of Fátima, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Conception, and the Eucharistic Miracle of Santarém. Enjoy free time for lunch and shopping. Depart from Lisbon in the morning and travel to Santarém. Explore the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Conception, known for its rich architecture and history. Visit the church where the famous Eucharistic Miracle of Santarém occurred in 1247 and learn about the fascinating story of this event. Head to the Porta do Sol Garden and enjoy panoramic views of the region. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant and try traditional dishes from the region. After lunch, depart to Fátima, one of the most important pilgrimage cities in the world. Arrive at the Sanctuary of Fátima and visit the Basilica where the three shepherd children, Francisco, Jacinta, and Lúcia, are buried. Visit the Chapel of the Apparitions, the place where Our Lady appeared to the three shepherd children in 1917. See the Basilica of the Holy Trinity, a modern basilica inaugurated in 2007 that complements the spirituality of the site with its contemporary architecture. Take the opportunity to buy religious souvenirs and reflect on the experience before returning to Lisbon.

Travel to visit the Sanctuary of Fátima and Sanctuary of the Most Holy Miracle of Santarém In Fatima, discover one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the world, with the option of attending a mass at the sanctuary. Our Lady of Fátima appeared to the three shepherd children in 1917. Here, visit the Basilica, where Francisco, Jacinta Marto, and Lúcia are buried, the Igreja da Santíssima Trindade (Church of the Holy Trinity), and the largest Catholic sanctuary in Portugal. There will also be time to see the Capela das Aparições (Chapel of Apparitions), a small temple built at the request of Our Lady of Fátima when she appeared to the three shepherd children, and Azinheira Grande, the tree that Jacinta, Lúcia, and Francisco passed before seeing the Saint. About 40 kilometers from Fatima, in historic city of Santarém a Eucharistic miracle took place on February 16, 1266 where consecrated host has been preserved for 750 years, intact and drenched in Blood, in the church of St. Stephen of the Holy Miracle. It is considered a harbinger of the message of Fátima, even though they are 650 years apart. The church was rebuilt in the 16th century.The main attraction of the Church of the Holy Miracle is, of course, the Eucharistic Miracle of Santarem. The host is enshrined in its miraculous crystal pyx in a silver monstrance and placed on display atop a tabernacle. Other notable features of the church are four paintings that depict the miracle and 16th-century glazed tiles. Near the church is the home of the woman who experienced the eucharistic miracle, and it is open to visitors. This is a private tour. You can adapt the program according to your preferences.

All the stories began with once upon a time…there is one that begins with the beginning of an era…come and discover this and other stories at the Diocesan Museum of Santarém! A place where you can put your senses to the test...With a collection that goes back to the 13th century. to the present day, an architecture with testimonies from the royal palace to the episcopal palace, passing by the jesuit college, you will discover the beuaty of art and is evolution among the centuries. The visit includes the Cathedral, sacristy, courtyard and museum. Visiting the museum is accessible, as we have all the usual support infrastructure. You can book themed visits for families or groups. Themes range from animals to visits about wine and Christian art, which may include wine tasting or convent sweets. Available are also visits with music, and those wo alows to visit the noble hall and go the old tower of the castle to see the best views of the city!

During the route it is possible to observe free horses up close, different types of birds such as herons, ibises, kites, ospreys, bee-eaters, among other species depending on the season. The Escaroupim and Avieira Culture Routes take us to the past, with a cultural explanation of the migratory currents of Avieiros to the Tagus, where the art of fishing was their main livelihood. We will see and understand how the Avieiros lived, in stilt houses or on boats. Boat passage through the village of Palhota, where the writer Alves Redol wrote the book dos Avieiros, released in 1942. In the middle of the water, islets and mouchões that allow us to have a landscape not to be missed with the fish jumping. Come with us to discover the Tagus, a Clean & Safe company with 2 awards for best tourist entertainment from Turismo do Alentejo and Ribatejo and Tourism Accessible for reduced mobility (with high tide). This is a trip you will want to repeat!

We will meet at Jardim da República in front of the Convento de S. Francisco to begin a guided tour of Santarém. A path full of 2100 years of stories and fantastic corners awaits us! We will walk through the ancient Roman city and called the Gothic capital of Portugal until we reach the Church of Santo Milagre. Why is it called that? An event that occurred in 1266 has the answer. Near this temple, the Church of Santa Maria da Graça also awaits us, which we will have access to see the tomb of Pedro Álvares Cabral. We will also pass by the convent of São João de Alporão and the Torre das Cabaças, as well as Marvila...

Some of the main points of interest of the Natural Park are explored towards the Gruta de Alcobertas. Along the route, there are stops at the top of the mountain to admire the landscape and the native flora, as well as to explore the natural beauty of the Alcobertas Cave. Route: Circular - start and end at Largo Terra Chã in the small village of Chãos, nestled in the natural park of Serra de Aire e Candeeiros. On Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/B7Rkdh9dRwsxCJQv8 Distance: Approximately 4.5 km Duration: 3 hours Difficulty: Medium-Low