Lisbon to Santarem

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.