Morning 

Natural Monument of Dinosaur Footprints

Follow the footprints that the sauropods left on the west side of the Serra de Aire close to 175 million years ago. At the Natural Monument of Dinosaur Footprints, located in the municipalities of Ourém and Torres Novas, there are close to 20 tracks (one approximately 147 metres long) on a slab from the Middle Jurassic. The footprints are deep and the fingerprints are still visible. Visit also the Jurassic garden and the interpretation centre.

Address: Estrada de Fátima – Bairro, 2490-216 Ourém

GPS coordinates: 39º34’21.18”N 8º35’17.10”W

Roque Gameiro’s Watercolour Museum

The Roque Gameiro’s Watercolour Museum is set in “Casa dos Açores”, which is a remarkable model of the architecture and gardens from the beginning of the 20th century. The building was designed by Roque Gameiro probably in collaboration with his great friend Raul Lino. Besides a permanent exhibition, it also has a space for drawing and watercolour painting. 

Address: Largo Justino Guedes, 2395 Minde, Alcanena

GPS coordinates: 39º30’46,717’’N ; 08º41’15,747’’W

Afternoon

Villa Cardillio 

Find at Villa Cardillio remains from an old roman farm. The excavations revealed a group of foundations, column bases and pavements ornamented with various “tesserae” patterns.

Address: Estrada Municipal de Santo António da Caveira, 2350-482 Torres Novas

GPS coordinates: 39º27’10.61”N 8º31’43.98”W

National Railway Museum

Unveil at the National Railway Museum the presidential train, various examples of rolling stock and a set of supplementary objects, such as track and catenary wire equipment, timetables, tariffs, tickets and catering equipment.

Address: Rua Eng. Ferreira de Mesquita - Complexo Ferroviário do Entroncamento Apartado190, 2334-909 Entroncamento

GPS coordinates: 39º27’51,207’’N ; 08º28’27,490’’W

Morning

Templar Castle / Convent of Christ

From the Templar Castle, founded in 1160 by Dom Gualdim Pais, provincial Master of the Order of the Temple in Portugal, be amazed by the view of the city of Tomar and the neighbouring territories, while walking along the top of the walls. 

Inside, as it was built over seven centuries, the Convent of Christ is a compendium of various architectural styles. Be dazzled by the round church (“Charola”), inspired by the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, which shows the influence of the Romanesque and Byzantine styles. Stroll around the seven cloisters and discover the Renaissance, Gothic, Mannerism and Baroque styles. The Chapterhouse Window, adorned with elements representing the Discoveries, is the epitome of the Manueline art.  

Address: Colina do Castelo, 2300 Tomar

GPS coordinates: N - 39º 36' 14.8536" / W - 8º 25' 9.231"

Village of Dornes

Located in a small peninsula which seems to invade the River Zêzere, the village of Dornes, in the municipality of Ferreira do Zêzere, is surrounded by a sublime natural landscape. Visit not only the Tower of Dornes, used by the Templars in the 12th century as a defensive watchtower, but also the Nossa Senhora do Pranto Church.

Address: Dornes, 2240-310 Ferreira do Zêzere

GPS coordinates: 39° 46' 17,089" N / 8° 16' 9,867" W

Afternoon

Sertã Castle

The castle of five corners in Sertã is shrouded in traditional stories. It is said that it was ordered to be built by the roman captain Sertório in 74 BC and that it was part of a network of forts around Serra da Estrela. However, after recent archaeological excavations, it was concluded that the initial occupation may not be previous to the 10th or 11th centuries. It is also the stage of the Celinda legend, brave woman who drove out the romans by throwing a frying pan (“sertage”) with boiling olive oil. 

Address: Castelo da Sertã, 6100 Sertã 

GPS coordinates: N 39º  48'17.73"  W 8º  05'55.71"

Shale Village of Água Formosa

Relive ancient traditions in the shale village of Água Formosa. The houses, which are mainly built with shale and follow traditional features, are revealed amongst the nature near the clean stream of Galega. The town took over a slope in an irregular pattern. Only people and animals can pass on the narrow streets, in an ambience which guides our imagination to the stories of the people who had inhabited the village.

Address: Aldeia da Água Formosa, Vila de Rei

GPS coordinates: 39º 38’ 4.81”N; 8º 5’ 59.22”W

Morning

São Miguel Hill Fort

See at the São Miguel Hill Fort the remains of close to 50 houses defended by walls on the sides with easiest access. It is believed that this settlement must have been first inhabited 2000 years BC, but it has known its apogee during the Lusitania-roman wars (between the 3rd century BC and the 1st century AD). 

Address: Serra da Ladeira (Amêndoa), 6120 Mação

GPS coordinates: 39º40’5.14”N / 08º3’52.25”W 

Parish Church of Sardoal

Find inside the Parish Church the boards by the Sardoal Master. From the end of the 15th century and beginning of the 16th century, they are one of the most relevant artistic heritages of the municipality.

The building was subject to various rehabilitation works harmoniously performed over the years, which gave it characteristics from various architectural styles, from the Gothic to the Contemporary. 

Address: Largo da Igreja, 2230-207 Sardoal

GPS coordinates: N39º 32’ 00,53’’; W08º 09’ 36,18’’

Aquapolis

The Aquapolis, near the River Tagus, is the perfect place to enjoy a picnic or practise water sports, such as canoeing. See also the sculptures which exist at this leisure space with riverside paths. The mural sculpture in marble by Santos Lopes has an inscription with an excerpt of the poem “O Tejo é mais belo” (“The Tagus is more beautiful”) by Fernando Pessoa.

Address: Parque Urbano Ribeirinho de Abrantes, 2200-336 Abrantes

GPS coordinates: 39° 27' 10,211" N / 8° 11' 28,621" W  

Afternoon

Tropical Butterfly House

Experience the colourful world of the butterflies at the Tropical Butterfly House, located at the Santa Margarida Environmental Park, in Constância. Inside, the weather is always hot and steamy. So, it is possible to keep alive during all year the tropical butterflies which flutter about amidst the foliage.

Address: Parque Ambiental de Santa Margarida, Estrada Municipal 592, Vale de Mestre, 2250-282 Santa Margarida da Coutada, Constância

GPS coordinates: 39° 26' 44,020" N / 8° 19' 8,373" W

Almourol Castle

Find the Almourol Castle at a dream location. This military fort stands at a craggy island on the middle of the River Tagus. 

The origin of the castle is shrouded in mystery, but it is known that its occupation stretches back to 1129, date when it was conquered by the Portuguese. It was rebuilt by Gualdim Pais, master of the Order of the Temple, in 1171. Its actual main architectural and artistic characteristics are from that era. At the time of the Reconquista, it was part of the defensive line of the Tagus. 

Address: Ilha de Almourol, Praia do Ribatejo, 2260-101 Vila Nova da Barquinha

GPS coordinates: 39°27'43.1"N 8°23'02.3"W