Lourinhã: Dinosaurs, Culture and Natural Heritage

Lourinhã brings together several distinct themes to consider when planning your trip: dinosaurs, a Gothic monument and natural heritage connected to the coast and the Jurassic period. If you’re looking for a hotel in Lourinhã, you can first consider which of these themes you want to shape your stay.

Dinosaurs in Lourinhã

Dino Parque is a dinosaur theme park in Lourinhã. The “A Day as a Palaeontologist” activity is aimed at younger visitors and has an educational focus. The theme park thus combines dinosaurs with an explicitly learning-oriented offering for this age group.

A description from 2021 mentions original dinosaur eggs and replicas from the Museu da Lourinhã at the Exposição de Dinossauros da Lourinhã in Dino Parque.

The Mostra Urbana de Dinossauros offers another way to explore the dinosaur theme. Its route takes you through Lourinhã, where you can discover thirteen life-size dinosaurs and reptiles. The formats are clearly distinct: Dino Parque is a theme park, while the Mostra is a route through Lourinhã.

You can request the Peddysaurus booklet for the Mostra at the Lourinhã Tourist Office. It is available in Portuguese and English, so you can choose between these two language versions.

Gothic monument and building history

The Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo is a Gothic monument dating from the second half of the 14th century. This date specifies the period in which the building was constructed and distinguishes this cultural attraction from Lourinhã’s palaeontological and natural themes. For travellers who want to include historic architecture in their choice of destination, the church adds a distinct architectural landmark to the range of themes.

Natural heritage and trails

Lourinhã’s natural heritage includes beaches, sea cliffs, viewpoints and Jurassic remains. Its features range from coastal landscapes and views to evidence of Earth’s history. Depending on whether you are more interested in the coast and views or in palaeontological connections, different aspects of nature will take centre stage.

The Mata da Quinta da Moita Longa is home to examples of Lourinhã’s original fauna and flora. This adds plant and animal life as another distinct natural feature alongside the coast and Earth’s history.

Four walking trails have been established in Lourinhã, offering a way to get to know the area. The trails provide a separate option for planning your trip, alongside the named attractions and the dinosaur route.

Get involved at Brickopolis

In Brickopolis’s PlayZone, visitors can build their own creations, including adults. Here, the focus is on hands-on building. Individual activities may change, so check before your visit that the offering still has the focus you’re looking for.

Discover more destinations: Ribamar, Reguengo Grande, São Bartolomeu Dos Galegos, Santa Bárbara, Atalaia De Cima, Marteleira.

Return to the main travel overview: Lourinhã.