Holiday in Ribatejo

About Ribatejo

Ribatejo, the region along the Tejo between Lisbon and Alentejo, is Portugal's land of horses, bulls, and fertile river plains. The name literally means 'on the banks of the Tejo', and the landscape is characterized by vast floodplain areas (Lezírias), where Lusitano horses and fighting bulls (Touros Bravos) graze in an almost surreal expanse. Santarém, the capital of the region, sits atop a plateau overlooking the Tejo and is referred to as Portugal's 'Gothic Capital' — nowhere else can you find so many Gothic churches in such a small area. In June, the city transforms during the Feira Nacional de Agricultura into a folk festival with bullfighting (in the Portuguese style: on horseback and bloodless), equestrian shows, and regional cuisine. Tomar enchants with the Convento de Cristo, a UNESCO World Heritage site that was once the headquarters of the powerful Knights Templar order. The Manueline window of the convent is considered a masterpiece of Portuguese architecture. The Almourol Castle, picturesque on a river island of the Tejo, is one of the most romantic castle ruins in the country. For nature lovers, the Paul do Boquilobo nature reserve offers an important wetland with over 200 bird species. The Ribatejo cuisine is hearty: Sopa da Pedra from Almeirim, Fatacias (fried bread), and the light Ribatejo wine match the down-to-earth character of the region.