Portugal
Ribatejo
Region
The Ribatejo is the region on both sides of the middle Tejo northeast of Lisbon. It is flat, fertile alluvial land with viticulture, rice fields, and pastures where horses and fighting bulls are bred.
by Felix Gillen
The Ribatejo is the region on both sides of the middle Tejo northeast of Lisbon. It is flat, fertile alluvial land with viticulture, rice fields, and pastures where horses and fighting bulls are bred. Key towns are Santarém with its Gothic churches and Tomar with the Templar castle Convento de Cristo, plus the river castle of Almourol.
The Ribatejo is not a classic tourist destination, but it is well-located between Lisbon, Fátima, and the Alentejo. You can reach Santarém from Lisbon in an hour by train, Tomar in just under two. The Convento de Cristo in Tomar is the main reason to visit, while Almourol Castle on its Tejo island is a popular photo stop. In the Lezíria, south of Santarém, with a bit of luck, you might spot the Campinos, the region's horsemen. For the villages and wineries, you'll need a car.
Essen & Trinken
Restaurant in Av. Marquês de Pombal Lt. 83 R/C-Esqº.
Culture and History
In the Middle Ages, the Ribatejo was a borderland of the Reconquista; the Knights Templar built castles here like Tomar and Almourol. Later, the Order of Christ, successors to the Knights Templar, with its seat in Tomar, became a financier of the Voyages of Discovery.To this day, horse and bull breeding shape the culture of the Lezíria. The Campinos wear red waistcoats and green caps. Bullfights are held in the Portuguese style; the bull is not killed in the arena.
On the Road in Ribatejo
Santarém is on the Lisbon–Porto railway line, while Tomar has its own branch line from Lisbon. To Almourol Castle, it's best to travel by car, but Almourol train station is nearby. For the Lezíria and the wineries, a car is necessary.
