The first section of the Camino Portugues starts in the capital city of Portugal, Lisbon, and heads north to reach Santarem and its magnificent scenic views over the area. After the urban surrounds at the beginning of the route, the route heads towards a rich agricultural area, often considered as ‘the garden of Portugal’. On this leg, the Camino also coincides with the famous Caminho de Fatima and mainly follows the Tejo River valley. The flat landscape of the area makes it doable for anybody with an average level of fitness.
FREE This trip createstonne(s) of CO2, we offset it for free
Highlights
Lisbon
Portugal’s colourful, coastal capital is the starting point of the Camino Portugues, and the perfect place to relax for the evening before you start your Camino. Lisbon is not only one of the oldest cities in the world (predating London, Rome and Paris), but also one of the most beautiful! Why not treat yourself before starting you walk with a traditional Portugese sweet treat the pastel de nata.
Azambuja
Founded by the Romans, occupied by the Moors and then taken back by the Portuguese in the 12th Century, this town has a long and varied history. Today it is a growing town thanks to the connection from the railway and nearby motorway. The plain exterior of the main church, Igreja Matriz da Azambuja, is in contrast to the beautiful decorated interior with traditional Portuguese tiles and gilded altars. Just west of this town is a wine region in the Ribatejo hills with one award winery being Quinta da Lapa. Why not try this wine with one of the many fish dishes that are a specialty in the region also with the locally made fresh bread.
Santarem
Perched on a hilltop the wonderful views over the Tagus river are not all this town has to offer. Like many other towns in the region it has Roman origins and was captured by the Moors before returning to the Portuguese. For the early Monarchs of Portugal this was a favorite city to visit, evidence still seen today in the many monuments and buildings that was built at this time. Festivals play a big part in the heritage of the town and two major festivals, the National Agricultural Fair in June and the National Gastronomy Festival in October.
Lisbon to Santarem
Camino Portugues
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Services
Included in this package
Bed & Breakfast
Specially Hand-Picked Accommodation
Our Holiday or Pilgrim Pack
24/7 On-Call Support
Virtual Face-to-Face Pre-Departure Briefing
Add-On
Premium Accommodation
Airport Pick-Up
Additional Nights
Dinners
Luggage Transfers from Hotel to Hotel
Day Tours to Local Sites of Interest
Not included
Flights/trains
Insurance
Drinks/Lunch
Itinerary
Day 1
LISBON (Arrival)
Located on the Atlantic Ocean coast and on the banks of the River Tejo, the western-most capital city of Europe is a great place to relax before your trip. Visitors can visit UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Jeronimo Monastery and Belem Tower amongst other interesting architectural buildings and squares. There are so many things to see and do in Lisbon that visitors have access to a wide array of different experiences.
Day 2 31.55km
LISBON
to
ALVERCA DO RIBATEJO
The Camino from Lisbon offers a mix of urban and natural landscapes. As you leave the city, you’ll cross the Parque das Nações, a modern part of the city with futuristic architecture, gardens, and the stunning Vasco da Gama Bridge. The final stretch to Alverca do Ribatejo is lined with traditional Portuguese countryside, with olive trees and the occasional vineyard.
Day 3 8.78km
ALVERCA DO RIBATEJO
to
VILA FRANCA DE XIRA
The short distance today allows for a relaxed pace. Departing from Alverca Do Ribatejo, you’ll wander through a mix of woodland and cultivated fields. As you approach Vila Franca de Xira, you’ll be greeted with sweeping views of the Tejo River and the surrounding wetlands, an important natural habitat for several bird species.
Day 4 19.45km
VILA FRANCA DE XIRA
to
AZAMBUJA
Leaving Vila Franca de Xira, you travel through a region where bullfighting and horse breeding are part of daily life for generations of locals. The Camino continues parallel to the Tejo River, offering tranquil riverside views across the whole section, before heading inland towards the pleasant town of Azambuja.
Day 5 33.06km
AZAMBUJA
to
SANTAREM
This walking day brings us to the highest point of this section, at 110 metres, in Santarem, which is also the final stop over of our first stretch of the Portuguese Way. This is a very enjoyable walk as half of the day is spent going through lush crop fields, fruit groves, and vineyards.
Day 6
SANTAREM
After breakfast, we bid you farewell. While you are in this charming town (which holds the distinction of having the most varied ensemble of Portuguese Gothic churches), take the time to visit the notable sights, including Old Castle of Santarém, the Church of Saint John of Alporão, Cabaças Tower, and the Fountain of the Fig Trees.
How to Get There
Getting to Lisbon city centre, Portugal
It is best to fly to Lisbon.Virtually every company flies to Lisbon. More info.
Fly into Lisbon
From Lisbon Airport several urban bus routes can bring you to the city centre. There are also shuttle buses.
Getting home from Santarem, Portugal
Fly from Lisbon
Take a bus from Santarem to Lisbon bus station (Approx. 1hr), regular departure all day long. There are also regular trains from Santarem to Lisbon, all day long.
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