Tourist Circuit: Monsaraz - Alentejo

Perched on the top of a hill, this little known small town is a “jewel in the crown” of the Alentejo, if not Portugal itself. It is a small walled group of dwellings that carefully preserve most of their original charm by retaining the old exteriors and the original quaint slated streets. The inhabitants of the town take particular pride in maintaining its somewhat medieval atmosphere with its few narrow streets that are in parts are quite steep as they fall away to the defending walls. The views from its 13th Century castle walls are panoramic over both the plains of the Alentejo, the waters of the new Dam and views towards the Spanish boarder.
Monsaraz - Nearby Locations
In the surrounding area of Monsaraz are several fascinating megalith and dolman monuments. These symbolic remains date back to between 4.000 and 2.000 years BC.

About 16 Kilometres to the west is the now major town of Reguengos de Monsaraz, a centre for this grape growing area. A specialty of the town is “Bolo Rançoso” that is made with pumpkin filling.

Some 4 Kilometres to the south is another small town of Mourão that has the impressive high walls of a 14th Century castle overlooking the River Guadiana. Much further to the south is the town of Moura, a name said to have been given to it in memory of the beautiful daughter of a the Moorish governor who threw herself from the tower of the castle after learning her lover had been killed in battle. A siege in 1657 destroyed most of the castle and what was left was virtually blown up by the Spanish in 1707. To the west of this town is the Spa Águas de Pisões.

To the north of Monsaraz is the town of Redondo set in the heart of the vine growing district. To the north is the town of Alandroal, an established fortified town from the 14th Century. The nearby 16th Century Erminda de São Bento was built to record the towns gratitude from being apparently saved from the various plagues that swept Europe and that always seemed to avoid this particular town. At the small small town of Terena is the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Assunção da Boa Nova which dates back to the 14th Century. It is considered to be one of the most historic monuments in the Alentejo.

Tourist Circuit: Óbidos

It is located on the road between Peniche and Caldas da Rainha. Óbidos is a Medieval walled town where time has passed it by. Within the extensive walls there are narrow cobbled streets, houses painted white with blue or yellow trim, flower boxes and old lamp lights. It has been well preserved, TV antennas and telephone wires are all underground to maintain the Medieval atmosphere. There are many churches and chapels among the houses. Several had to be restored after the earthquake of 1755. The Parish Church of Santa Maria is notable and pays homage to the famous local artist - Josefa d”Óbidos. The castle is located at the highest point. Some say that the sea reached the castle wall and that there used to be bronze rings and stones with holes that were used to anchor boats. These have never been found but there are many marine fossils in this area.

Óbidos is a delightful town of white houses adorned with bougainvilleas and honeysuckle that was captured from the Moors by the first king of Portugal, D. Afonso Henriques, in 1148. 
D. Dinis later presented it to his wife, Queen Santa Isabel. From then until 1883, the town of Óbidos and the surrounding land was always the property of the queens of Portugal. 
Encircled by a ring of medieval walls and crowned by the Moorish castle rebuilt by D. Dinis, which is now a pousada, Óbidos is one of the most perfect examples of our medieval fortress. 
As in olden times, the town is entered through the southern gate of Santa Maria, embellished with eighteenth-century azulejo decoration. 
Inside the walls, which at sunset take on a golden colouring, one can sense 
a cheerful medieval ambience of winding streets, old whitewashed houses 
bordered with blue or yellow, Manueline embrasures and windows, and masses of colourful flowers and plants. 
Be sure to visit the Igreja Matriz de Santa Maria (Parish Church of Santa Maria), the pretty Capela de São Martinho (Chapel of S. Martinho) and, outside the town walls, the Igreja do Senhor da Pedra (Church of the Senhor da Pedra). 

The preserved medieval town of Óbidos lying 80 km north of Lisbon is without doubt one of Portugal”s most classic walled settlements. When strolling along the maze of narrow cobbled streets of Óbidos, at each step, one comes upon vestiges of different civilizations. 
From the hidden corners and high walled gardens of the old medina area to the gothic, Renaissance and Baroque features the Town is an extensive work of art carved, destroyed and rebuilt throughout the centuries. 
Besides its material heritage of the past, Óbidos, a melting pot of historical tradition is still today one of the main jewels of the country.

Óbidos is located about 80 km north of Lisbon and just a short drive from Caldas da Rainha and Peniche.

Finally, don”t miss the chance to savour the local cuisine, with dishes like caldeirada, made with fish from Óbidos lagoon, accompanied by special regional wines. Within the walls, numerous bars offer you a taste of ginjinha, a traditional liqueur. 
So close to Lisbon, this is one of the most picturesque and most visited sites in the country, hosting countless cultural and tourist-oriented events.

Tourist Circuit: Districts of Lisboa

 

Get to know Lisbon’s historical quarters: Alfama, Castelo and Mouraria, Bairro Alto, Chiado and Bica and the Baixa.

Alfama is one of the oldest quarters in Lisbon. It has maintained its Arab structure, with its labyrinthine streets, courtyards and lanes. The Sé (Cathedral) is wonderful, and the Feira da Ladra (flea market) also takes place here.

Next to Alfama are the quarters of Castelo and of Mouraria. Throughout the month of June, during the Santos Populares (Patron Saints) celebrations, these quarters are packed with music, dancing and food.

Bairro Alto dates back to the 16th century but is today one of the city’s most animated quarters, with trendy bars, restaurants and shops.

Chiado is one of the city’s most attractive quarters. It has long been a cultural hot spot, something illustrated by its theatres, literary cafés (like A Brasileira), antique bookstores and the Museu do Chiado (Chiado Museum).

Bica, another of Lisbon’s historical quarters, has been home to the Bica lift since 1892, which passes between lines of houses situated on a street where the pavements are actually tiny, narrow stairways.

The Baixa (downtown), rebuilt by the Marquis of Pombal following the 1755 earthquake, is a commercial and financial district characterised by the geometrical layout of its streets.