Santarém
PortugalCsa
© OpenStreetMap, CARTO
Capital do Gótico português | Capital of Portuguese Gothic
Why visit
The Igreja da Graça (with the tomb of Pedro Álvares Cabral, who 'discovered' Brazil), the Igreja do Santo Estêvão (Church of the Holy Miracle), and the Convento de São Francisco show off the Gothic ensemble. Portas do Sol gardens at the city's edge give the well known view over the Tagus. The Festa Nacional da Agricultura (early June) is Portugal's largest agricultural fair with bullfighting, horse displays, and Ribatejano food. Use Santarém as a base for the Tagus floodplain horse country, the Templar town of Tomar, and Fatima.
When to avoid
Santarém receives little international tourism. Tourist infrastructure is modest and English limited. Summer heat (July to August) on the inland plain regularly tops 35°C with little relief. Many shops close mid-afternoon and Sundays. The Festa Nacional da Agricultura packs hotels for a week. Avoid driving in the historic core's narrow streets, park outside and walk in. Note that Portuguese bullfighting (tourada à portuguesa) doesn't kill the bull in the ring, but if any form of bullfighting is uncomfortable, the festival features it heavily.
