Traveling to fantastic places doesn’t always have to involve long distances or taking a plane. Sometimes it’s enough to hit the road and travel abroad. The Lisbon Metropolitan Area is full of incredible places to visit. The town of Palmela is one of them.
Located about 40 minutes’ drive from Lisbon, Palmela belongs to the district of Setúbal and is the seat of a beautiful municipality.
From historical and cultural heritage to enchanting landscapes, there is no shortage of reasons to visit a municipality that is also famous for its wines.
Discovering Palmela and its surroundings is synonymous with discovering real “natural treasures”. After all, you’ ll find the Serra da Arrábida Nature Park and the Sado Nature Reserve right nearby. But that’s not all. There’s much, much more waiting for you!
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Palmela Castle
On the list of places to visit in Palmela, you can’t miss its imposing castle. Situated on top of a hill, the fortification has Islamic origins. However, it was conquered by King Afonso Henriques in the 12th century and definitively recovered by King Sancho I.
Later, in the 15th century, the Castle became the headquarters of the Order of Santiago, until it was abolished in the 19th century. In another era, its strategic position meant that enemies could be seen from afar. But today it is the scene of a privileged view.
Within the walls are other points of interest. For example, the former Convent of the Order of Santiago (now home to the Pousada Histórica de Palmela); or the ruins of the Church of Santa Maria, among others.
Church of Santiago de Palmela
This religious monument is closely linked to the Order of Santiago. This is because it was built as their Conventual Church in the 15th century.
Inside are the bones of D. Jorge, illegitimate son of King João II, the last Master of the Order of Santiago. This temple has undergone several interventions over time.
Venâncio Ribeiro da Costa Park
Created in the first half of the 20th century, this park connects Palmela Castle to the historic center, which, although not individually highlighted here, is well worth a visit.
This space is home to some trees, a small amphitheater and a picnic area, among other things. It’ s a place to relax before continuing on your route.
St. Peter’s Church
Located close to the previous points, the Church of São Pedro (dating from the 16th century) has an interior lined with baroque tile panels.
Its important sculptural and pictorial heritage is noteworthy .
Mother House of the Wine Route
This is another of the “must-see” places to visit in Palmela. Located right in the heart of the town, this building is a former winery, which now serves as an information point for wine tourism lovers. What’s more, the interior is beautiful!
Museum of Mechanical Music
Opened in 2016 and located in Pinhal Novo, the Mechanical Music Museum impresses with its architecture. The building consists of a closed box, which aims to establish a parallel with a musical box.
Dedicated to mechanical musical instruments, the space represents a journey through time, between the end of the 20th century and the 1930s.
Windmills
Palmela is famous for its wines. But the windmills are undoubtedly another of its symbols. Testimonies of other times, there are a number of windmills in the municipality, especially in the Serra do Louro.
However, if you want to see windmills without leaving the city of Lisbon, that’s also possible. You can simply go to Moinhos de Santana Recreational Park.
“Whistler”, one of the largest cork oaks
The town and, in general, the municipality of Palmela really do have a lot of interesting places to visit. But do you want to be curious? One of the must-sees is a tree in Águas de Moura!
The “Whistler” is one of the oldest and most productive cork oaks in the world. According to the website of the municipality of Palmela, this cork oak was planted in 1783 and has been stripped more than twenty times since 1820.
Herdade Palácio de Rio Frio
Located in the parish of Pinhal Novo, the Herdade de Rio Frio is another of the “must-see” cultural references in the municipality of Palmela.
The palace stands out as a fine example of early 20th century architecture. The building is decorated with tiles by Jorge Colaço.
Natural heritage
Palmela has a privileged relationship with nature. The municipality is part of two of the most important national protected areas: the Arrábida Natural Park and the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve.
In the first park you’ll find the beautiful Serras de São Francisco and São Luís. After that, we recommend a visit to the Serra do Louro, where the famous windmills are located.
With nature’s embrace, visiting Palmela is sure to be a varied and unique experience.
Esta é a Área Metropolitana de Lisboa que não sabias que existia