The best walks and hikes around Benavente

Manuel I, the Fortunate (1469-1521), was King of Portugal and the Algarves between 1495 and 1521, a period of great voyages and discoveries, including the arrival of India and Brazil. Manuel, known as the Fortunate, was born in Alcochete, Portugal, on May 31, 1469. Son of Ferdinand, Duke of Beja, and Beatriz, he was the grandson of King Duarte I, who reigned from 1433 to 1438. On October 25, 1495, Manuel became the fifth king of the Aviz dynasty and the fourteenth king of Portugal, succeeding King John II, who, after the death of his son, Afonso, named Manuel, brother of his wife, Leonor of Lancaster, as his successor.

The three cod drying areas of Alcochete have been closed and abandoned for over four decades. With one exception, the land was sold to companies whose activities have nothing to do with curing or selling the "faithful friend." Since the municipality was interested in the added value of future businesses, the local Master Plan (PDM) began in 1997 to allow these spaces to be used for tourism and leisure activities. There are already plans to build hotels.

This was a former cod factory founded in the 1950s, ‘Seca do Bacalhau’ meaning ‘Dry of Cod’ in Portuguese. It’s a large site with a lighthouse, water tower, fish farming area, and living quarters for the workers. There was a documentary made of the women workers who worked there, mostly in slave like conditions (As raparigas da Murtosa e a seca do bacalhau). It’s quite a sad site really knowing the history. The site was heavily vandalised and open to explore, I didn’t dare to go up the inside of the lighthouse though. It’s the scale, history and setting which make this site interesting.

A pleasant restaurant specializing in fish, where you can enjoy dishes made with fresh fish fresh from the fish market. It has a terrace overlooking the Tagus River, which, on sunny days, is a plus for its customers. Closed on Mondays. This restaurant's terrace is located on a viewpoint called "Amália," in honor of our famous fado singer.

The Samouco Salt Pans, located near Alcochete, are a natural treasure teeming with biodiversity and history. This unique ecosystem is essential for the preservation of several migratory bird species, such as the iconic flamingos, which visit the salt pans during their migration. The salt pans also play a crucial role in salt production, a traditional art dating back to Roman times. Palácio dos Pinheirinhos, Complexo das Salinas do Samouco 2890-532 Alcochete GPS Coordinates: 38°44'39.41"N; 8°58'50.80"W HOURS Monday to Sunday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Exceptions on Saturdays and Sundays: From October to February, the salt pans are closed for lunch from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. From March to September it opens 10:00-19:00 and is closed for lunch 13:30-14:30.

The municipality of Alcochete is located on the southern bank of the Tagus Estuary and is part of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, benefiting from privileged access to the capital via the Vasco da Gama Bridge, as well as access to the North Motorway, IC 32 and the connection to the A2. The name Alcochete derives from the Arabic word “Alcaxete”, which means “oven”, an allusion to the riches resulting from the combustion of the wood abundant in the pine forests of this region. Human presence dates back to prehistoric times to ancient times, a fact proven by the archaeological remains found. Economic activity linked to fishing, river navigation and salt production was, at one time, the main driving force behind the municipality’s economic development. With the decreasing development, from the mid-20th century onwards, of road connections and the loss of economic importance of the River Tagus as a means of communication, these activities began to decline. Its proximity to the Tagus Estuary Nature Reserve, considered one of the most important wintering areas in Europe for several species of water birds, makes it an important place to visit and is, in itself, an attraction for nature lovers. In addition to its rich landscape, Alcochete has a fascinating cultural heritage. The Festa do Barrete Verde and das Salinas, held annually in August, is one of its highlights, as it pays tribute to the forcado, the campino and the salineiro, illustrious figures who make up the identity of the municipality.

he delightful old town of Alcochete is located on the south bank of the River Tagus, in close proximity to the Tagus Estuary Nature Reserve. The ideal day-trip destination for visitors staying in Lisbon, its foundation dates right back to the 7th century after the Moors conquered Lisbon and its name derives from the Arabic word for kiln, as several have been found in the local area. The journey across the river is a delightful one, running past some of the older parts of the capital such as the Alfama before heading off into the great Tagus river basin. The ferry arrives in Montijo, followed by a 5-kilometre bus or taxi ride north to Alcochete. Evidence of human occupation in Alcochete and its environs dates back to the lower Paleolithic period, while the Roman presence in the area mostly extended along the banks of Ribeira das Enguias where traces of several ancient potteries exist, most notably at Porto dos Cacos in Herdade de Rio Frio where the production of amphorae (ceramic containers used to pack and transport fish preserves) have been unearthed. Alcochete was an important royal retreat, with both King João I and King João II spending long periods here for rest and relaxation. More importantly, King Manuel I (creator of the Manueline architectural style) was born here and in 1515 (twenty years into his reign) he granted Alcochete its town charter at a time when Lisbon and was beginning to prosper during Portugal’s great Age of Discovery. Founded in the mid-16th century, the Church of the Misericórdia was part of the palace where King Manuel I was born on the 1st of June 1469. Today, it houses the Museum of Sacred Art whose collection includes many old paintings and some rare archaeological finds.

It is the seat of the municipality of Benavente[3] with an area of 521.38 km²[4] and 29,709 inhabitants (2021),[5][6] subdivided into 4 parishes.[3] The municipality is bordered to the north by the municipality of Azambuja, to the northeast by Salvaterra de Magos, to the east by Coruche, to the southeast by the secondary area (exclave) of Montijo, to the south by Palmela and Alcochete, to the southwest by the Tagus Estuary (marshy land officially assigned to the municipality of Alcochete) and to the northwest by Vila Franca de Xira.