Oeiras between Coast, Culture and Wine

Oeiras lies by the sea, about 10 kilometres from Lisbon. Its coastline, historic buildings, cultural events and Carcavelos’ wine-making tradition give the town a range of attractions.

Coast: Paredão and Praia da Torre

The Oeiras coastal path, also known as the Paredão, is used for walking and cycling. It starts at Paço d’Arcos Beach and ends at Praia da Torre. Along the way, it passes the pier, the seawater swimming pool and several local beaches. This describes both the route’s endpoints and some of the coastal features along the way.

Praia da Torre is a sheltered bay beside Forte de São Julião da Barra. Families with children visit its calm waters. These offer two distinct ways to enjoy the coast: the Paredão, a route with several points along the way, and Praia da Torre, a specific beach in a sheltered bay.

History, from church architecture to coastal fort

Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Purificação in Oeiras was built from 1702 on the site of an earlier 14th-century temple. The palace and gardens of the Marquês de Pombal also tell the story of the town’s architecture: classified as a National Monument, they are considered an example of the valuable heritage of the 18th century and were designed by Carlos Mardel.

On the coast stands Forte de São Julião da Barra, one of Portugal’s largest maritime fortifications. Its construction began in the 16th century under King João III. The fort was intended to protect the sandbar and the entrance to Lisbon harbour. Another historical perspective can be found in the centre of Oeiras, where the Roman villa is located on Rua das Alcássimas. These buildings and archaeological site represent different eras and subjects, from the earlier temple and the 18th century to Roman history.

Cultural programme at Parque dos Poetas

One of Oeiras’ attractions is Parque dos Poetas, home to the Templo da Poesia. It is the hub for MAP – Mostra de Artes da Palavra, a series of events held throughout the year. The cultural programme is devoted entirely to words and their connection with other artistic disciplines. MAP is an established ongoing annual programme; its fifth edition took place in 2025.

Another highlight is the Corrida do Tejo, an annual sporting event associated with life along Oeiras’ waterfront. MAP focuses on words and their artistic connections, while the Corrida centres on sport and the waterfront. If an event is the main reason for your trip, check the dates before planning your stay.

Carcavelos wine and Villa Oeiras

Villa Oeiras is a white, velvety fortified wine from the demarcated Carcavelos wine region. At Villa Oeiras, you can book guided tours of the vineyards and cellars with wine tastings in advance. A reservation is therefore part of planning this kind of visit. Suburban rail services to Oeiras, as well as public bus and tram connections, serve Villa Oeiras; check the connections before travelling.

Another part of the wine-making tradition can be found at Adega do Casal da Manteiga. The building dates back to the 18th century; production of Carcavelos fortified wine began there in 2001. Together, Villa Oeiras’ product description, the tours that require reservations and Adega’s history offer different points of interest if you are interested in wine and local history during your trip.

Discover more destinations: Caxias, Porto Salvo, Queijas, Carnaxide, Cruz Quebrada, Algés

Return to the main travel overview: Oeiras.