Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
black-and-white stones used in
calçada portuguesa,
the mosaic-style pavements seen
throughout Portugal.
Sights
Castelo
(over/under 26 €1.50/0.75; 10am-12.30pm & 2-6pm Tue-Sun May-Sep, to 5.30pm Oct-Apr)
The green-
towered castle was originally a Moorish stronghold. Conquered definitively in 1148 by
Dom Afonso Henriques, it was largely rebuilt in 1450 and again after the 1755 earth-
quake. These days it's too pristine to be convincingly medieval, but is fun to climb around
and has pleasant views across the valley to the Serras de Aire e Candeeiros. Stick around
till closing and watch 'em lock up with a key the size of your forearm.
CASTLE
Estrada Romana
Fifteen minutes northeast of Porto de Mós by car, a section of ancient Roman road has
been converted into a walking trail. Marked with red and yellow blazes, the old road bed
meanders through the hills for 9km; the most impressive section is at the signposted trail-
head just above the town of Alqueidão da Serra.
ROMAN RUINS
Sleeping & Eating
There's currently nowhere to stay in Porto de Mós itself, but Rio Alcaide is only a
10-minute walk away.
Quinta de Rio Alcaide
( 966 164 342;
www.rioalcaide.com
; Rio Alcaide; d €60; )
One kilometre southeast of Porto de
Mós, this rustic inn is set in a converted 18th-century paper mill. The rooms and apart-
ments are charming, including one in a hilltop windmill, and another that, in 1973, served
as a meeting place for Portuguese captains plotting the Revolution of the Carnations. The
grounds feature a pool, citrus trees, hiking trails and a cascading stream. Management is
welcoming but pretty much let you get on with things, so don't expect hotel-standard
maintenance or service.
RURAL APARTMENTS
€€
Esplanada Jardim
( 244 403 004; Jardim Público; lunch €5-7; 10am-2am)
This pleasant cafe in the leafy municipal
gardens near the
turismo
serves excellent, reasonably priced lunches on weekdays.
CAFE
€
