The Ribatejo Walking Experience: Discover Abrantes & Nazaré
Small Group Walking
Our newly designed holiday visits two of Portugal’s most ancient & fascinating regions, in the fertile area of Ribatejo.
For centuries, the Ribatejo has been the heart of the wine estates, wheat growing, and silk production. It is famous nowadays for cattle & horse raising giving it the reputation of the “wild west of Portugal”.
Our newly designed holiday visits two of Portugal’s most ancient & fascinating regions, in the fertile area of Ribatejo.
For centuries, the Ribatejo has been the heart of the wine estates, wheat growing, and silk production. It is famous nowadays for cattle & horse raising giving it the reputation of the “wild west of Portugal”.
Nazare cliff, Wonderful clifftop views over Nazare and beaches.
Our first center is the beautiful city of Abrantes. Its castle, rising above the river Tejo, gazes southwards across the plains of the south bank of the Tejo. To the north, the verdant rolling hills rise up to protect it.
Full of history from Celtic and Roman times, it became favorite of the Portuguese kings who endowed it with some of its finest buildings, Abrantes reflects a full & diverse history.
Today it’s a thriving yet peaceful town, where it is worth taking a walk around the whitewashed houses & cobbled streets which are considered to have the richest floral decoration in the whole country.
Alcobaça Monastery. The Alcobaça Monastery is a Roman Catholic monastic complex located in the town of Alcobaça, in central Portugal.
From here, we move to the Silver Coast, the “Costa da Prata”, named for its silver beaches, dotted with “singing” windmills & traditional fishing villages – like Nazaré.
Nazaré is one of the most famous fishing villages in Portugal!
Sao Martinho do Porto, The sea here is virtually always calm as the bay is very sheltered (the polar opposite to the neighboring rival resort of Nazare).
In mid-summer tourists flock to its spectacular beaches but out of season, it returns to the authentic fishing village it once was.
Beautifully located in between its crescent-shaped sandy beach on one side and the rocky promontory of Sitío on the other, Nazaré has some of the oldest fishing traditions in Portugal.
We will still see the authentic fishing village that Nazaré once was and enjoy the unique atmosphere that can still be found there. Delight in the colorful, wooden, and elegant fishing boats still used today with their typical curved prows drawn up on the sandy beach amongst the drying nets.
To the north of the beach rises the rocky promontory of Sítio where a funicular leads up the hillside to this ancient settlement.
Here, we have a different perspective, where picture-postcard coastal views unfold from the cliffs to north & south.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival at Lisbon Airport
Lisbon, Monument to the Discoveries
Day 2 – Abrantes
The beautiful town of Abrantes owes its history to D. Afonso Henriques, the first King of Portugal, and its conquest over the Moors. Due to its geographical location, Abrantes was of strategically military importance but also a crucial commercial port on the banks of a major river.
Our walk will bring us alongside green and luxurious riverbanks of this, that is, the longest Portuguese river – the Tejo River.
Later in the day, our dinner will be taken in a local restaurant.
Sardoal Windmill Santarem Inland Portugal
Day 3 – Sardoal Walk
Our walk brings us to the wooded hills around Sardoal, along ancient trails. Sardoal is a charming village above Abrantes. It is known as the garden village, characterized by its typical white houses with colored bands around doors & windows and its abundance of flowers.
Dinner will be taken in a local restaurant.
Tomar center, The Republic Square, and its parallel and perpendicular streets form the historic center of Tomar
Day 4 – Tomar
Today we transfer to Nazaré. En route, we’ll use the day to visit Tomar.
Records and archaeological findings trace the origins of the town – Sellium – all the way to the Roman Empire. Later in History, the town is re-baptized by the Moors – “Tamaramá” – that eventually evolved to Tomar. This historically Templar city is surrounded by secretive and luxurious trails.
Our peacefully relaxed walk along the lovely banks of the river Nabão will allow us to walk into town, have a tranquil lunch, and have time to explore the city.
Later in the day, dinner will be taken in a local restaurant in Nazaré.
Alcobaça Monastery is a Roman Catholic monastic complex located in the town of Alcobaça.
Day 5 – S. Martinho do Porto
On a day dedicated to the south coast of Nazaré, our walk will bring us to the charming village of S. Martinho do Porto. Historically, the village represented in the past an important commercial port receiving the boats that carried wood to build the caravels in which we discovered brand new worlds!
These days and mostly due to its geological features, the village is famously known for its magnificent scalloped shaped bay, white sandy beaches, and calm blue waters.
As always, dinner will be taken in a local restaurant.
Sao Martinho do Porto, Although this is a holiday destination, it is still relatively unknown which makes it perfect for holidays, the town is still a traditional Portuguese coastal town.
Day 6 – S. Brás Hill
A walk on São Brás Hill, a remarkable magmatic mound, covered by pine woodlands. Due to the stunning variety of flora, it was classified as a protected area in 1979. Considered a “Mediterranean flora island” and visible 35km into the sea, it served in the past as a beacon for adrift boats.
Home to a small chapel dedicated to our Lady of Nazaré, its 156m above the ocean line surprise us with its breathtaking views and an eventual glimpse of a Common Kestrel or a Eurasian Buzzard – a delight for those also keen on birds!
Dinner will be taken in a local restaurant.
Nazare
Day 7 – Alcobaça
A walk through lovely countryside & woodland into the town of Alcobaça, in time for a leisurely lunch and time to explore.
Famous for its tradition in pottery and ceramics, Alcobaça was named after the two rivers – the river Alcoa and the River Baça – that flow into the surrounding valleys.
The city’s cultural and historical development records show its importance ever since the 12th century, when D. Afonso Henriques, ordered the built of the Monastery of Santa Maria (UNESCO World Heritage Site) in commemoration of the Holy Reconquest of Santarem.
Dinner will be taken in a local restaurant.
Alcobaça Monastery
Day 8 – Departure
After breakfast transfer to the airport.
What's included
Accommodation
7 nights in a twin standard room for two pax
3 nights in Abrantes
4 nights in Nazaré
Shared ensuite room with a traveling companion of the same sex
Single supplement available with a surcharge
Extra nights available on request
Meals
7 buffet breakfasts at the Hotel
7 Dinners with drinks included
Transport
Meet & Greet Airport Transfer to the hotel on the first day – group transfer
Transfer from the hotel to the airport on last day – group transfer
All transports to walks and activities (as outlined) with dedicated driver and vehicle
Additional transfers are available on request at an extra cost
Tour Leaders
Dedicated English speaking local tour leader
The tour leader will assist and guide the group throughout the holidays, handle all the arrangements and other needs that might arise, making sure that you don’t have to worry about planning your days and you can enjoy your holiday
Each evening, your tour leader will discuss the details and program for the following day
Walks and Activities
Walks according to program
Exclusions
Any services not listed as included
Flights to and from Portugal
Meals, tips/gratuities, baggage, or personal insurance (except as outlined)
Admission fees to castles & attractions or events (except as outlined)
Personal expenses
Supplements
Guide services inside monuments
Insurance
You must be adequately insured to join our Guided holidays and Self-Guided holidays. We do not insist that you insure with us but we require that you are adequately insured for the nature of your holiday.
BeCool Travel has partnered with WorldNomads.com to keep you traveling safely. WorldNomads.com Travel Insurance is designed for independent and adventurous travelers, with coverage for overseas medical expenses, cancellation, baggage, and other expenses.
Please consult our Travel Insurance page, where you’ll be able to get more detailed info about insurance requirements and an immediate quote for your trip.
