Places to visit around Tomar, Ferreira do Zêzere, Santarém and Ribatejo
River Zêzere and Castelo do Bode River Beaches
Portugal is famous for its river beaches, and the village of Cardal where Relaxscape is located, sits on the banks of the River Zêzere, which thanks to the Castelo de Bode dam in Tomar, has created a huge artificial bathing and boating lake, surrounded by mountains and forests. Relaxscape is 1km from the river beach of Bairrada (Ferreira do Zêzere), which has lifeguards and a designated bathing area in the summer, and there are plenty of other great river beaches in nearby villages as well, such as Montes, Alqueidão, and Castanheira (Lago Azul). A bit further afield, the other side of the dam, there is Martinchel, Fontes, Lapas, Aldeia do Mato, Agroal with its cold waters, and Sardoal. Across the bridge from Ferreira do Zêzere, you can spend a great day out at Penedo Furado, near Vila de Rei (on the N2 Route), which as well as a beach has various walking and hiking trails, with a wooden boardwalk leading you through several waterfall pools that you can plunge in to cool off. And on the way back you can visit the geodesic centre of Portugal and take in the panoramic views of the surrounding counties!
Templar Castles, monasteries and coastal towns
Tomar is a picturesque town with medieval roots, steeped in Templar history, with several significant churches, and the river Nabão running through it. The Mata dos 7 Montes park connects the historic city centre with the Castle and Unesco World Heritage site Convento do Cristo, which were the headquarters of the Templar Knights, and the nearby Aqueduct that supplied water to the Convento is also worth a visit. A good way to see the all the sights and find out more about Tomar’s rich history is to take a guided tour and I recommend licensed guide Monica Afa, Enchanting Histories Pathfinder.
Other significant Templar sites in the area, are Almourol Castle (featured in the photo), on the river Tagus near Vila Nova de Barquinha and Constância and the Pentagonal Templar Tower at Dornes (which also has a good river beach with boat hire and other watersports). Batalha and Alcobaça monasteries are also listed as Unesco World Heritage sites, and you may also be interested to stop at the religious sanctuary of Fátima, a popular Catholic pilgrimage site.
The cities of Leiria and Coimbra are also only an hour away from Relaxscape, and if you want some wild Atlantic waves, there’s the famous surfing town of Nazaré. Along that coast you might also like to visit the traditional fishing village of Peniche, the beaches of São Martinho do Porto or Figueira da Foz and Caldas da Rainha.
Golegã, Ribatejo and Santarém
Every November, the pretty little Ribatejo town of Golegã puts on a week-long Horse Fair, with horses taking centre stage in shows, in the streets, and even allowed in some tavernas! Nearby there is also a fantastic bird Nature Reserve, Paul do Boquilobo, with hides, where you can spot all sorts of birds, some migratory. Nearby Chamusca, Constância and Vila Nova de Barquinha are pretty little waterside towns, where you can spot storks nesting in the high chimneys and electricity pylons, and if you like butterflies, the Butterfly House is also worth a visit. If caves are your thing, there are some interesting ones to explore at the Grutas de Mira de Aire and smaller ones at Lapas where you can also visit the river beach. Entroncamento has a Railway Museum. Santarém is the largest city of this region, with some interesting gothic influenced architecture.
Festivals and music
Every four years at the beginning of July, the whole city of Tomar is festooned with flowers for the Festa dos Tabuleiros, an event that’s classed as National Cultural Heritage (like the traditional Portuguese fado music also is). Over the years it’s grown into a huge event, that Tomar is rightly very proud of, and it’s an honour if you are chosen to take part in the procession, which involves carrying a “tray” (tabuleiro) crown as tall as yourself on your head, decorated with paper flowers and bread rolls! In the 3 years in between, the Festa Templarío takes place instead, in July, with a torchlight procession of Templar Knights from the Castle and through the historic centre.
Also in July, annually, there is the Zêzere Arts Festival, a series of music masterclasses which you can take part in, orchestra or choir, or simply enjoy the various concerts that they put on throughout the Festival, in sites like the Convento do Cristo in Tomar and the Cathedral at Batalha.
For folk music lovers, Bons Sons every August in Cem Soldos, has a lovely gentle vibe. And if you would like to experience a traditional fado night, I can let you know what’s on where during your stay.