Explore the world with tourHQ
HomeExplore Charming Villages Near Lisbon Over A Full-Day Tour By Combi
Description
Embark on this excursion across some of the most significant historic villages near Lisbon such as Santa Susana, Azenhas do Mar, São Cristóvão, Penedo Village, Gouveia and Aldeia Mata Pequena. Learn about the unique architecture and intrinsic characteristics of these museum villages before visiting the unique sensory eco-park - Pia do Urso.
Highlights
- Stroll through the beautiful Gouveia and Penedo Village
- Look at the beautifully whitewashed houses of Santa Susana
- Appreciate the rich history of São Cristóvão
- Walk through the unique and narrow streets of Azenhas do Mar
Itinerary Expand All Collapse All
-
Tour of Charming Villages Near Lisbon expand_more
- Connect with your tour guide to start the tour and visit the below-listed places:
- Santa Susana- Considered one of the most beautiful and typical villages in the entire Alentejo. It is located in Alcácer do Sal, located between two streams and it is possible to get here from Lisbon in just over 1 hour. The architecture is typically Alentejo: whitewashed houses, with large chimneys and the famous blue bar. There are those who guarantee that the habit of painting the foot of houses in blue, so common in Alentejo, was born here. Truth or just legend, the truth is that this colour is known as “Santa Susana blue”. The village is not old. It was built in the last century to provide shelter for agricultural workers in the region, who ended up staying here permanently. When visiting Santa Susana, it is suggested to simply wander through its streets and alleys, enjoy the local gastronomy and appreciate the crafts in willow wood and cork.
- São Cristóvão- This village, in the municipality of Montemor-o-Novo, is a mandatory stop not only for its architecture but also for its rich history. Places to visit include the Igreja de São Cristóvão, where there is a 16th-century sculpture of the patron saint and the so-called “Heel of the World”, a narrow and impressive boulder situated on the stream of São Cristóvão. A visit to the megalithic ensemble of Tojal is also recommended, where you can see a cromlech and 17 menhirs, thus attesting to the ancient human presence in this village.
- Take a short break for lunch. Taste Portuguese wine and food in a local and traditional restaurant.
- Penedo Village- A typical village on the outskirts of Lisbon, the village of Penedo, in the parish of Colares, is perhaps one of the best examples. Located on top of a hill, the village has existed since the 13th century. To get here you have to go up through narrow and winding streets. Although the vast majority of the houses were already built in a modern style, there are still many with an old design. The location, the steep and winding streets and alleys and the whitewashed houses give it a picturesque image of an old village.
- Gouveia- Known as the “village in verse”, it is located in the parish of São João das Lampas, in Sintra. All over little Gouveia, there are decorative plaques with verses, written by a popular poet born in the land. It is one of the most peculiar villages near Lisbon. In the 80s of the last century, José Valentim Lourenço decided to show all his love for his land in the form of verses that were immortalized in tile panels. Located in the most varied parts of the village, they tell a little about the place in question: the well, the lanes, the streets and the square. As we walk through the village we will discover the signs in reverse, a great way to spend an afternoon. And we can include a visit to the beaches that are very close, such as Praia das Maçãs, for example.
- Azenhas do Mar- Located in Colares, Azenhas do Mar is a masterpiece of popular architecture. Over the centuries, the inhabitants have been building their houses on this cliff by the sea. The result is a peculiar little village with steep and narrow streets, so small that sometimes they are not even streets, but only stairs towards the sea. It was a vacation spot for King D. Carlos and his wife, D. Amélia. Today it is a place of pilgrimage for those looking for one of the best places near Lisbon to be dazzled by the sunset. In the southern part of the village, there is a viewpoint from where you can appreciate the whole complex. Below, already on the beach, is a small ocean pool. This village is also famous for its restaurant, which serves some of the most popular fish and seafood dishes in the region. This is one of the most charismatic villages near Lisbon.
- Aldeia Mata Pequena- Very close to Lisbon, in the municipality of Mafra, is this village that takes us back in time. The village of Mata Pequena, with only 10 houses, has whitewashed houses and cobbled streets with a charm that is difficult to find elsewhere. It is a typical saloia village, inserted in the Penedo do Lexim Special Protection Zone. It was fully recovered and converted into rural tourism. The restoration work was carried out in order to preserve as much as possible the original layout of the village. Spending a few days in Mata Pequena is like returning to the past and reliving the smells, experiences and traditions of yesteryear. It is possible to make this your center to explore the surroundings such as Mafra and Ericeira.
- José Franco- It's not really a village. But it is one of the best places you can visit near Lisbon. In the typical José Franco village, it is possible to discover what the daily life of the villages in the Saloia region was like. All thanks to the efforts of potter José Franco. Since he was little, José Franco showed great talent for the art of pottery. He learned from local masters and rehabilitated his grandfather's pottery. Over time, he ended up transforming the workshop into a unique place where everyone could see his work up close. This small museum village is located in the small town of Sobreiro, between Ericeira and Mafra. The small clay figures that make up the place have become true stars of the place and, after the visit, it is possible for the visitor to delight in the local gastronomy or cool off on one of the many excellent beaches in Ericeira.
- Aldeia Galega da Merceana- This typical western village is a forgotten corner, even by the neighbours themselves. To get here you have to travel through the bucolic and undulating fields of the saloia area. A region where vineyards and orchards, hermitages and chapels abound. And of course, the villages on the small hills. This is the case of Aldeia Galega da Merceana. Its architecture is typical of saloia villages: white houses and small, disorderly and winding alleys. But the village shows details that indicate that it had a slightly more important and glorious past. Its pillory is in Manueline style. It has two squares: Praça do Pelourinho and Praça do Divino Espírito Santo. We can still find the Casa da Rainha, today it is the headquarters of the Parish Council. It is said that Queen Leonor spent the night here on her travels between Lisbon and Caldas da Rainha.
- Salinas da Fonte da Bica- They are the largest salt pans in the interior of the Iberian Peninsula. Its exploitation began hundreds of years ago and, around it, a village was born to shelter the workers and their families and also to store the salt. Romans, Arabs and Templars passed through here. Walking through this small village is, therefore, an authentic and unique journey into the past. The houses were built in wood and are the best preserved in Portugal. In fact, everything here is made of wood. The reason? Wood is more resistant to natural wear and tear caused by salt. The houses are made of wood, the side supports are made of olive and even the keys and locks are made of wood. The Fonte da Bica salt pans are, without a doubt, a unique place in Portugal.
- Pia do Urso- In the municipality of Batalha, the village of Pia do Urso is much more than a village. All of it is a sensory eco-park, intended for the blind. But the visit is not limited to the eco-park. The village has been recovered and it is very pleasant to explore its corners by walking through its streets. The attractive landscape and the surrounding calm provide the rest of the charm. The houses were recovered and transformed into rural tourism spaces. It is well located and can be the center to explore the surroundings, such as the number of places in this region that are worth a visit: Batalha, Ourém, Tomar, Nazaré, and São Martinho do Porto are some examples.
- Tour ends.
- Connect with your tour guide to start the tour and visit the below-listed places:
What's Included
- Pick up and drop off at Hotel TBD
- VW T4 vehicle year 2000, no air conditioner (other vehicle TBD)
- Driver and Guide (myself)
- Water (freezer in the vehicle)
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- This itinerary is tiring so should be discussed in terms of its feasibility and customisation
- You can decide to make it shorter if you want
What to bring
- Summer Clothes and sneakers are ideal but not mandatory
- Hat and solar screen when sun is too hot in Lisbon
Know before you go
- Yola is a vintage vehicle with no air conditioner but a small freezer and a water deposit.
Meeting Point
Praça Marquês de Pombal, Lisbon, Portugal
Cancellation Policy
For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -
Refund of 80% of the tour price.Price Details
| The group size and price | |
| 1 To 2 | USD 750 Per Group |
This is a private tour | |
Starting From
see details
USD 750 / group