Historic landmarks
Main monuments, best viewpoints, and what’s worth your time in Santarém.
Private transfers & day trips
Private Transfers in Santarém, Airport & Day Trips
Private and reliable transfers in Santarém, airport, hotel, business travel and day trips across Portugal.
Explore the best of Santarém
Santarém is in the Central Portugal region of Portugal, about 80 km from Lisbon Airport.
Weather
12°COvercast
Lisbon time 02:32 • 07 Nov 2026
Nearest airport
LIS80 km
Lisbon Airport (LIS) · 80 kmRegion
Central Portugal
Portugal
Population
58,662
Residents
Overview
Plan your visit: the sights of Santarém, what to eat and where to stay.
Santarém travel guide
Santarém stands on a high plateau above the River Tagus, an hour north-east of Lisbon. Taken from the Moors in 1147, it was a royal city for centuries and is known as the capital of Portuguese Gothic for its many medieval churches. It is also the heart of the Ribatejo, the land of horses, bulls and wide river plains.
What to see
Start at the Portas do Sol, a garden on the old Moorish walls with one of the great views of the Tagus valley. In the historic centre, visit the cathedral, the Gothic Graça church, where the navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral is buried, the church of Marvila, lined with 17th-century tiles, and the small Romanesque church of São João de Alporão, now a museum. In June, the National Agriculture Fair fills the city.
What to eat
Try sopa da pedra from nearby Almeirim, fataça na telha, river fish grilled on a roof tile, and the convent sweet celestes de Santa Clara. Drink wines from the Tejo region.
Nearby
Tomar and Fátima are about 50 minutes away, and Lisbon about an hour.
Getting there
Santarém is about 85 km from Lisbon Airport. GoToo drives you door to door at a fixed price per vehicle, and can stop in Santarém on the way to Fátima or Tomar.
Landmarks · Cuisine · Hotels
Hotels & stays
Book the right stay in Santarém: best areas, smart picks, and options for every budget.
Portas do Sol Garden
A garden on the old Moorish walls at the edge of the plateau, with one of the finest views over the Tagus.
Santarém Cathedral
A former Jesuit church on the main square, with a baroque façade and a richly decorated interior.
Graça Church
A Gothic church with a magnificent rose window, holding the tomb of Pedro Álvares Cabral, who reached Brazil.
Marvila Church
A church with a Manueline doorway and walls entirely covered in 17th-century patterned tiles.
São João de Alporão
A small Romanesque-Gothic church, now a museum of medieval sculpture and archaeology.
Tagus viewpoints
Terraces along the edge of the plateau looking over the river, the plains of the Ribatejo and the bridges.
Historic centre
Narrow streets and squares on the plateau, full of Gothic and baroque churches and old palaces.
Tejo wine
Reds and whites from the Tagus valley vineyards around Santarém.
Sopa da pedra
Stone soup from nearby Almeirim: beans, sausages and pork in a rich broth, served with a stone in the pot.
Fataça na telha
Mullet from the Tagus grilled on a clay roof tile, a traditional riverside dish of the Ribatejo.
Celestes de Santa Clara
Delicate almond and egg-yolk sweets from the old Santa Clara convent of Santarém.
Frequently asked questions
From the Portas do Sol garden on the old walls, looking over the Tagus and its plains.
Pedro Álvares Cabral, the navigator who reached Brazil in 1500.
Yes. Both are about 50 minutes away and make an easy day with a private driver.
GoToo runs private transfers, about 85 km, at a fixed price per vehicle.
Map of Santarém
Highlights
- Portugal Gothic Capital, Exceptional medieval architecture
- Just 80km from Lisbon, Easy 1-hour private transfer
- Stunning Tagus River views from historic viewpoints
- Authentic Ribatejo culture and traditional gastronomy
- UNESCO-quality monuments and churches
- Perfect for cultural and historical tourism
Private transfers in Santarém
- ✓ Fixed price · no surprises
- ✓ Up to 90 min airport waiting included
- ✓ Professional licensed driver
Getting to Santarém
Santarém sits about 80 km from Lisbon Airport, roughly 70 minutes by road. Public transport often means changes and waiting, and may leave you a walk from where you want to be. A private transfer takes you door-to-door, with a fixed price and no connections, from €120 from Lisbon Airport.
Events in Santarém
Upcoming festivals, exhibitions and cultural events in Santarém, with dates and venues. Information is updated regularly from official tourism sources.
Pedro Abrunhosa, Tour Inverbo (Santarém)
Pedro Abrunhosa, Tour Inverbo (Santarém) takes place on 30 January 2027 at Centro Nacional de Exposições de Santarém, Santarém in Santarém.
Portuguese singer-songwriter Pedro Abrunhosa brings his INVERBO tour to Santarém, showcasing material from his latest album alongside well-known songs from his career. The show centers on the power of words and songwriting, reflecting Abrunhosa's poetic approach to music. Audiences can expect a setlist that spans multiple generations of his work.
Venue: Centro Nacional de Exposições de Santarém, Santarém · Official website
Routes passing through Santarém
Longer routes that include this city as a stop.
