Discover the Real Portugal

Caldas da Rainha

City of Arts and Music

Caldas da Rainha (meaning "The Queen's Spa") is located approximately 15km east of Praia D’El Rey. It was founded in the 15^th century by Queen Leonor who established a Thermal Hospital in the town around its therapeutic hot springs. Now five hundred years old, this hospital is one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the world.

Today, Caldas da Rainha is home to many art and design institutions, including numerous ceramic and sculpture museums. The town is famous for its local glazed ceramic pottery (loiça das Caldas), and has become the ceramic and pottery capital of Portugal. Indeed it was Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro, a famous local ceramicist, who created the cabbage-shaped soup tureen and dinner service now used in homes throughout Portugal and exported worldwide.

Peniche

Portugal's Surf Capital

Peniche is located 10km from Praia D’El Rey. Known for its astonishing landscapes, long windy beaches, and various recreational sports, this fishing town also offers a wide range of fish and shellfish dishes in the restaurants near the port.  The local artisan are also famous for their craftwork and “trimmed lace”.

Peniche is also the surfing capital of Portugal.  Its beaches and breaks face in three different directions, allowing surfers of all abilities to hone their skills.

Just off the coast of Peniche are the Berlengas Islands, now home to a protected marine life reserve. Throughout the summer the islands can be visited by taking a ferry boat from Peniche's harbour.

Leiria 

You can find plenty of reasons to visit the city, with their variety of diverse gastronomy traditions, and the city historical richness. Visit the city castle and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Incarnation, or within the region, the Baths of Monte Real. Choose from a range of beaches such as Pedrógão, the Lake of the Ervideira or even the municipal Marrazes forests.

Fátima

A famous Catholic pilgrimage site

The first apparition took place in 1917, in Cova da Iria, at the site of the current Sanctuary. The most important celebrations are held on 13th May (including the Candlelit Procession on the night of the 12th and the Farewell Procession closing the event on the 13th) and 13th October.
Furthermore, the 13th of every month between these two dates is also a day of devotion. For those interested in the historical context of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fátima, visits can be made to the houses of the shepherd witnesses in the village of Aljustrel.

Alcobaça

A World Heritage site featuring a monastery

Alcobaça belongs to Leiria’s district and it developed at the valley of the Alcoa and Baça rivers. The town is known mainly due to its Monastery or Royal Abbey of “Santa Maria de Alcobaça” (St. Mary of Alcobaça), founded in 1178, by the Cistercian monks. This construction fulfils a vow made by the 1st Portuguese king, Afonso Henriques, before the conquest of Santarém from the Moors.