Batalha, Nazaré, Óbidos and Winery
This Tour heads towards what we Portuguese call “the West”. It is associated with hilly green landscapes, fresh weather, wild Atlantic beaches and rich heritage. Our Tour will show you a bit of everything. The valuable Batalha Monastery is one of Portugal’s best example of a massive gothic building where Prince Henry the Navigator rests for eternity. Óbidos is a picturesque medieval village and Nazaré an amazing beach town where the biggest waves in the world bring many brave surfers. Tours like these tipically include a visit to Fátima Sanctuary which we will also include if that’s a request even though we don’t mention as plan A. It is a religious/spiritual site much more than a historical monument.
This tour is flexible and will be planned according to your interests.
The attractions that will amaze you…
Batalha Monastery
Around 1383 Portugal was about to fall into the hands of Castille, but after winning the decisive battle, the new king D. João I, ordered the construction of this monastery on the battleground location to celebrate. It is of the largest gothic buildings in Portugal. It features the tombs of king D. João, wife and sons, including the famous Prince Henry the Navigator. It has also beautiful cloisters.
Nazaré
Nazaré has one of the most important fishing ports in the country but it is also a famous beach resort town with a huge sand beach and a lovely urban perimeter. It is dominated by the northern cliff that you can climb through the panoramic tram. On top of the cliff, the look out is overwhelming. It also gives access to the famous North Beach where the bravest surfers surf the biggest waves in the world (24 m) and you can watch from the lighthouse.
Foz do Arelho
Foz do Arelho deserves a quick stop (if the day schedule allows it) at least to watch the beautiful lagoon and the lovely beach side village, but also to walk a part of the wooden passeageways to watch the fabulous bay and Berlengas island at a distance.
This part of the Tour will occur is the day schedule allows.
Óbidos
Óbidos is one of the most picturesque and well preserved medieval villages in Portugal. Its castle walls are magnificent and the pedestrian narrow streets of white little houses are delightful. Inside the walls the highlights to visit are Santa Maria Church, Misericórdia Church, São Pedro Church and Pelourinho. Outside the walls the Aqueduct and Senhor Jesus da Pedra Sanctuary are worth a visit. In Óbidos you must try the Ginginha (cherry liquor) served in a small glass of chocolate.
Wine tasting (option A)
The “West” is one of the official wine regions of Portugal. As the wine production and industry is such an important part of the country’s culture and traditions, we chose to include a visit to a wine farm where you can walk near the vineyards, have a specialist’s explanation and taste different kinds of wines from the grapes you just saw. It is tipically a 1h30 visit. If’re not interested in wines, pick instead the visit to Fátima, Alcobaça Monastery or just unwind a bit more time by the beach in Nazaré or Foz do Arelho.
Fátima (option B)
Fátima Sanctuary is one of Europe’s most important catholic sites. The first Virgin Mary apparition was in 1917 and the first stone of the Basillica was laid in 1928. From then this Sanctuary brings millions of pilgreens every year from all over the world. In 2007 a modern Basilica opened in the campus with 9000 seats.
Alcobaça Monastery (option C)
Alcobaça Monastery was founded in 1153 by D. Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, and offered to the Cistercian Order as a celebration of the conquest of Santarém to moors. It is the first gothic building in Portugal. Inside the main church are the tombs of king D.Pedro and Inês who made one of Portugal’s most famous love story.
Take a look at the itinerary of this Tour is the map.
Explore amazing Portugal !!!