
If you’ve never been to Alcochete, you don’t know what you’re missing! This land by the Tagus has much more to visit than you think, from the salt pans to the river beaches, including a handful of centuries-old churches.
And it’s not just us saying it: our Spanish friends are delighted with this small town on the south bank of the Tagus, as you can read in one of the latest articles in El Economista.
For this economic guide to the neighboring country,
Neither Lisbon nor Porto: this is the town in Portugal where flamingos “paint” the landscape and “infinity pools” join the Tagus. Alcochete is a unique combination of history, nature and tradition.”
The newspaper calls for five must-see places in this quiet town a few kilometers from Lisbon, on the other side of the Vasco da Gama Bridge, but we went there a few days ago and tell you about 10 unique places that are really worth a look.
The Samouco Salt Pans
Saline tradition and environmental protection come together in this 360-hectare natural paradise that dates back to the 13th century and was once Portugal’s main salt producer.
At Salinas do Samouco, visitors will find an authentic salt pan in operation, testimony to the “white gold” that once sustained many families in Alcochete.
The flamingos
Nearby Salinas do Samouco is one of the most privileged places for hiking and birdwatching, or it wouldn’t be a Special Protection Area visited by 170 species of birds.
As far as birdwatching is concerned, the highlights are the flamingos (don’t miss the guided tour of the Flamingos Trail), the herons and the stilts that live here.
Sítio das Hortas Environmental Animation Center
Located in the heart of the Tagus Estuary Nature Reserve, this environmental space next to Freeport is made up of two distinct areas: Sítio das Hortas and Pinhal das Areias.
Birdwatching, donkey rides and hiking are some of the activities you can do there.
Moinhos Beach
One of the town’s most popular spots on hot days, Praia dos Moinhos owes its name to the windmills (now deactivated) that exist next to the sandy beach .
In recent years, it has become well known among wind sports enthusiasts, such as kitesurfing. It also hosts the International Kite Festival.
The municipality of Alcochete also has the Samouco River Beach, where there is a pedestrian circuit, a children’s playground and a picnic area.
Riverside area
Alcochete’s postcard, the riverfront invites you to take a stroll overlooking the Tagus and serves as a starting point for discovering the town.
When we visited, on one of these weekends, there were a lot of people out and about, but it was still very quiet.
Want a suggested route? Start at the Amália Rodrigues viewpoint, pass by the churches of Nossa Senhora da Vida and Misericórdia and take a short walk to Ponte-Cais. At the end of your walk, there’s nothing better than the tranquillity of the Rossio Garden.
Bote Leão
“The King of the Northeast”, as they call this traditional boat, invites you to discover the river, with the town (and Lisbon) as its privileged backdrop.
If you get the chance, don’t miss out on getting on board and taking a tour of the Tagus Natural Estuary.
Church of São João Batista
Considered to be the town’s most important religious and historical monument , this church is also known as the Igreja Matriz de Alcochete and was built in the 15th century.
Gothic, Manueline and Mannerist in style, it is associated with Prince Ferdinand, father of King Manuel I. Inside, the altarpiece of the high altar, the tiles in the chancel and the various 16th century paintings stand out.
Church of Our Lady of Life
Built in 1557, it began as a chapel (of the Holy Spirit) and was later renamed the Church of Our Lady of Life, and is still known as the Chapel of Our Lady of Life.
In Mannerist style, built on the initiative of Dr. Afonso Figueira and his wife Júlia Carvalho, this church has been classified as a Property of Public Interest since 1996. Its interior stands out, decorated with thousands of eighteenth-century blue and white tiles depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin.
Misericórdia Church
Located in Largo da Misericórdia, right at the entrance to Alcochete’s pontoon, the Misericórdia Church houses an altarpiece by Diogo Teixeira, considered one of the greatest artistic treasures in the Setúbal district.
Built in the middle of the 16th century, this religious site reflects the cultural and architectural heyday of the town and has also been classified as a Property of Public Interest since 1996.
The local people believe that this church was part of the former Palace of the Infantes of Beja, where King Manuel I was born.
Church of São Brás
Located in the village of Samouco, quite close to Alcochete, the church dedicated to the town’s patron saint has an unknown construction date, although there are reports of visits by the Order of Santiago dating back to the 16th century.
It features 16th-century, Baroque and Rococo elements and has undergone several refurbishments and reconstructions over the years.
Inside, however, you can still admire half of the walls covered with blue and white tiles from the 18th century, which illustrate scenes from the life of the patron saint.
Barrocas district
An old, traditional quarter with narrow streets and colorful houses, this is the heart of the town, having been inhabited over the years by people linked to traditional activities such as salt extraction, river transport and fishing.