Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
surreal craft village of windmills, watermills and traditional shops. Kids love it here; as do
some adults, especially when they discover the rustic
adega
(winery) serving red wine and
snacks. Most folks bring a picnic.
WORTH A TRIP
A WOLF IN THE WOODS
There's no need to be afraid of the wolves at the
Centro de Recuperação do Lobo Ibérico
(Iberian Wolf Sanctu-
ary; 261 785 037;
http://lobo.fc.ul.pt
; Vale da Guarda, Picão; adult/concession €5/3; 4.30pm & 6pm Sat
& Sun May-Sep, 3pm & 4.30pm Sat & Sun Oct-Apr), located near Malveira, 10km east of Mafra. The centre is
home to a pack of around 20 wolves that can no longer live in the wild. Set in a forested valley, the centre aims to
boost the rapidly dwindling numbers of Portugal's Iberian wolf population (now just 300 in the wild) by affording
them safe shelter in a near-to-natural habitat. As the wolves are free to roam in their large enclosures, there's no
guarantee that you'll spot them, but encounters are frequent. Visits are by 90-minute guided tours. The sanctuary
is best reached by private transport.
Sleeping & Eating
Aldeia da Mata Pequena
( 219 270 908;
www.aldeiadamatapequena.com
; Rua São Francisco de Assis; house €70-130)
Located 9km
south of Mafra, this unique rural tourism option consists of attractive stone cottages, each
with a kitchen, living room and sleeping area. It's set in a tiny village and is best reached
by private car, which you'll need to explore the surrounding countryside.
RURAL INN
€€
Restaurante Sete Sóis
( 261 811 161; Largo Conde Ferreira 1; mains €7-12; lunch & dinner)
Conveniently located across
from the plaza, this recommended local place serves good-value lunch specials (€7) and
specialises in Portuguese classics like
bacalhau
(codfish) as well as wild game dishes like
grilled wild boar.
PORTUGUESE
€€
Getting There & Around
There are regular
Mafrense
( 261 816 159; Av Dr Francisco Sá Carneiro)
buses to/from Ericeira
(€2.10, 20 minutes, at least hourly), Sintra (€3.55, 45 minutes) and Lisbon's Campo
Grande terminal (€4.10, 75 minutes, at least hourly). Mafra's train station is 6km away
from the town centre with infrequent buses; taxis charge around €9 from the station to the
town centre. Go to Malveira station instead for easier connections (20 minutes) to Mafra.
