Lisbon Estoril Coast Tourism Guide - Montijo

Montijo Sul do Tejo Guide

Montijo, like Alcochete, make a superb quieter Lisbon base, within easy reach of central Lisbon across the Vasco da Gama Bridge by bus (weblink right).

Montijo town is rather stylish, with a selection of top quality hotels, a scattering of museums and a good choice of restaurants and bars. (see Monijo Town Hall Guide link right). Montijo town actually sits within the municipality of Montijo which stretches up towards Ribatejo.

You're away from the crowds here, and both Montijo and Alcochete are good holiday base choices for peace and quiet, with stunning estuary landscape on your doorstep. Access into central Lisbon is easy via bus.

To reach both Montijo and Alcochete from Lisbon (or if you travel into Lisbon) by road you'll come across the Tejo river via the spectacular Vasco da Gama Bridge.

Vasco Da Gama Bridge Lisbon, Europe's Longest Bridge

Either driving or busing over the Vasco Da Gama Bridge to the north of Lisbon centre is an experience indeed. It's a cable-styled bridge this one and the longest bridge in Europe at 17.2 km.

If you're staying in Montijo or Alcochete and heading into central Lisbon you'll be crossing it no doubt. It's a relatively new bridge, only opening to traffic in March 1998 to co-incide with Expo 98 and the 500th anniversary of Vasco da Gama's discovery journey to India.

The bridge has a hair-raising 6 lanes, with a speed limit of 120km just like motorways in Portugal. The Vasco Da Gama Bridge arrives on the Lisbon side to the North east near the Olivais Docks and Expo 98 site, now entertainment village par excellence Parque Das Nacoes (weblink right). Pick up metro links into Lisbon city centre via Oriente metro link at Parque das Nacoes.