Santarem to Coimbra

The city of Santarem is perched on top of a hill, overlooking the Rio Tejo valley. Santarem is a small, historic city where visitors can wander around the winding streets and enjoy the relaxing Portuguese way of life. While you are in this charming town, 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.

Leaving Santarem, we find ourselves walking along quiet country lanes as the Camino heads north-east, mostly following Rio Tejo. It passes through charming villages marked by the regional culture of campinos (cattle herders) and horse breeding life. This is a long walking day but the flat terrain makes it easy enough to complete.

We start this day heading towards one of the country’s nicest manor houses, Finca da Cardiga. Then, we continue through the quiet hilly countryside, passing through a few scattered villages. The day finishes on Praza de la Republica in Tomar, in the heart of the old city.

Today brings a change of terrain as we go up and down along several wooded valleys, Roman roads that remain in use to this day, and farm tracks. This day is often seen as challenging but it is also one of the most rewarding when completed of this whole section.

Leaving Alvaiazere, we start with a steep climb up the hills surrounding the town followed by a steady descent. The Camino continues up and down through crop fields and olive groves and along the mediaeval route that brings us to your destination for the evening, Ansiao.

We leave Ansiao, crossing a 17th Century bridge (the Ponte da Cal) and heading towards Netos. From here, the landscape alternates between pine and eucalyptus woods, olive groves, and small rural towns. Towards the late afternoon, we finally make our way to Condeixa a Nova.

The first half of the day runs through the countryside with lovely vineyards, olive groves, and woodlands. As we approach the university city of Coimbra, the area becomes more populated and the last climb of this section is towards alto de Cruz de Mourocos (with a total height of 190 metres) overlooking Coimbra and the Rio Mondego valley. Coimbra is a bustling, lively city, home of one of the oldest universities in Europe!

After breakfast, we bid you farewell. While you are here in one of the most appealing university cities in Europe, be sure to visit the Machado de Castro National Museum, University of Coimbra General Library, and the university’s famous Botanical Gardens. Or, if you just want to soak in the city’s atmosphere, sit outside a cafe and watch the world go by!