Make a holiday rental home or villa in Santarem, Portugal your home away from home
The Santarem region of Portugal lies inland from the Costa de Lisbon and the Costa do Estoril. A rarely explored region, Santarem is a region of real charm and solitude, where visitors are rewarded with a chance to explore the heart of Portugal, without tourist traps and large crowds.
Things to do in Santarem, Portugal
No other region of Portugal has so many historic monuments of such importance. The whole region is steeped in history, from the monuments of the Knights Templar to dinosaur footprints in the rocks. Soaring cathedral spires dominate the skyline, and there are more castles, historic caves and elegant villas in Santarem than you could possibly explore in a single trip.
The open countryside is a joy to explore too. There are numerous walking, horse riding and mountain biking trails leading throughout the region, allowing you to truly explore local nature, as well as stumble across a variety of sensational historic and natural attractions, such is the density of attractions in the Santarem region. Fishing also thrives on the many rivers that carve the countryside, and the river beaches provide beautiful spots on which to relax in the midday sun, take a refreshing dip and enjoy a picnic of the finest local produce.
Food is very important in the region, and the slopes and plains of the region are covered in vineyards and farms. Each season brings with it new crops and delicacies, which, in turn, cause huge celebrations, festivals and fairs to be held. Some festivals last through the night during the summer months, and are excellent fun to join in with.
Places to visit on holiday in Santarem, Portugal
The city of Santarem itself is one of the earliest settlements in the region. Sitting high above the River Tagus, Santarem has a huge amount to tempt visitors, from the spectacular rose windows of Gaca Church to the elaborate tomb of Duarte de Meneses. The huge, 10 day festival in June is a fantastic time to be staying in Santarem, Portugal.
Tomar is a charming city of twisting medieval streets, the majority of which look as if they have come straight from a chocolate box lid from Switzerland! The history of the Knights Templar is strongly intertwined with the town, and there are several spectacular monuments to explore. The Castle of Tomar is especially impressive, but it is the Convent of Christ that really draws the crowds.
The quaint fishing village of Ericeira is a charming place to stay, especially during the summer months, when the cafes and beach restaurants spill out onto the pavements and the long, sandy beach are lightly covered in bronzed sunbathers. Famous for the fantastic lobster caught here, Ericeira is a real favourite with local holiday makers looking to enjoy the best of the Santarem coast.
Cheap flights to Santarem, Portugal
The closest airport to a holiday rental property in the Santarem region of Portugal is Lisbon. Lisbon or Portela Airport (LIS) receives a great range of inbound flights from the UK, with airlines including Aer Lingus, BMIbaby and EasyJet providing direct services. Having the use of a hire car is strongly recommended during your stay in Santarem accommodation.
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