North Portugal Tourism Guide - Cartaxo

Ribatejo Wines

The Ribatejo region has produced wine on the banks of the Tejo for over 2000 years. This has largely been traditionally made with modern techniques only being introduced in recent years. As a consequence the wine of the area has become more popular across Europe often being labelled Ribatejo, Arruda and Liziria. In the year 2000 the Ribatejo region was awarded the best wine certification in Portugal, DOC (Denominacao de Origem Controlada).

Ribatejan whites are typically from the Fernao Pires or Trincadeira-das-Pratas grapes which makes a distinctive dry, lemon-coloured fruity white wine. The reds tend to be from Periquita, Trincadeira Preta and Castelao Nacional grapes. There are five denominations in the Ribatejo region: Almeirim, Cartaxo, Chamusca, Coruche and Santarem.

To explore the vineyards and the region's cultural heritage you can follow any of the tours suggested as part of The Ribatejo Wine Route devised by Association of Ribatejo Red Wine. Check the weblink right. Their exceedingly helpful website is in English and tours include vineyards and wine producers as well as pointing out historical sights along the way. There are the contact details of wine related places you can visit too.

Cartaxo Ribatejo Tourism Guide

Cartaxo is a modern town and a good stepping off point for exploring the Ribatejo wine region. It houses the Museu Rural e do Vinho; open Mon-Fr 10.30 am-12.30 pm and 3-5 pm. Sat-Sun 9.30 am-12.30 pm and 2-5.30 pm. This is housed in a quinta (a wine producing farm complex) and there are exhibits about farming and wine-making. You can also taste and buy the local, full-bodied, fruity wine. The museum is on the ringroad Rua Jose Ribeiro da Costa.

In late April to early May the town hosts an annual Wine Festival with all sorts of wine related events and music.

In the centre of Cartaxo's is Largo Sao Joao Baptista, dominated by the ornate 16th century Manueline cross and the chapel of Senhor dos Passos. This stands where Wellington installed his headquarters during the winter of 1810-1811.

There is a Tourist Office at Galeria de Exposicoes Pintor Jose Tagarro, Praca 15 de Dezembro, 2070 Cartaxo. Tele: 351 243 700 250. Fax: 351 243 700 268.

Tejo Estuary Nature Reserve

The Tejo Estuary is the largest estuary in Portugal and is an internationally important nature reserve and Ramsar site around the rivers Sorraia and Tejo. This is a great area for birdwatching where flocks of waterbirds come to roost and feed as well as other interesting species including greylag geese, flamingo, teal, white stork, little bittern, purple heron, marsh harrier, Montagu's harrier, booted eagle. The Reserve covers 14.560 ha and is important as part of the migration route for a wide range of bird species on their way to West Africa.

Nearby are the fields of Giganta - enormous paddy fields of rice. There is an Information Office at Avendia Dos Combatentes da Grande Guerra, 1, 1-A 2890 Alcochete. Tel: 351 212 341 742. Fax: 351 212 341 654.