Discover Avis: castle, monastery and water activities

A trip to Avis can combine cultural and historical discoveries with activities on the water. Castelo de Avis and Convento de São Bento represent the history of the town; nearby, the Barragem do Maranhão offers another focal point. Museums, historic buildings and a range of outdoor activities provide different themes to consider when planning your trip.

Castelo de Avis and Convento de São Bento

The walls and Castelo de Avis have been classified as a National Monument since 16 June 1910. Construction of the castle is said to have begun in 1214. Of the six towers that once surrounded the fortifications, the Torre da Rainha, also known as Torre do Convento, the Torre de S. Roque and the Torre de S. António remain.

The former Convento de São Bento de Avis was the seat of the Order of Avis, which played an important role in the medieval Alto Alentejo. The complex includes a church, the old cloister, a cistern, the chapter house, the monks’ reading room, the refectory, the dormitory and the palace of the Order’s masters. This variety gives a sense of the site as a multi-part monastic complex. The Igreja do Convento has medieval origins and was expanded through the 18th century.

Two museums, different areas of focus

The CIOA – Centro Interpretativo da Ordem de Avis presents a permanent chronological exhibition on the history of the Order of Saint Benedict of Avis. Documents about the Order that had been scattered in different places have also been brought together digitally there. The centre therefore combines a chronological overview with access to a collection of assembled documents.

The MusCA – Museu do Campo Alentejano is housed in rooms of the former convent, including the chapter house and the monks’ reading room. Its collection focuses on agricultural and pastoral life and is primarily ethnographic. This gives the MusCA a different focus from the CIOA: here, life in the countryside takes centre stage rather than the history of the Order. A tactile area is available for visitors with visual impairments, and information is also provided in Braille.

Water sports at the dam and river beach

Near Avis, the Barragem do Maranhão forms a 46-kilometre-long body of water that runs through the entire Concelho de Avis. The Estação Náutica de Avis is an integrated tourism network centred on the Albufeira do Maranhão. In the area around the reservoir, visitors can row, canoe, windsurf, fish, water-ski and swim.

At Praia Fluvial do Clube Náutico de Avis, activities include open-water swimming, rowing, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding. Water sports availability may vary seasonally. The area around the Praia Fluvial also has a picnic area, a playground, a restaurant, a bar, a campsite and municipal swimming pools. As facilities can change, check before your visit which options are currently relevant to your plans.

Guided tours and activities in the Concelho

Além Tejo Eco Boat Tours rents stand-up paddleboards on the Albufeira do Maranhão and offers boat trips on a fully ecological boat. Its services also include walking trails and guided visits to places in the Concelho de Avis, including a transport service. Confirm booking and operating arrangements before your trip.

The CAA – Centro de Arqueologia de Avis also offers educational and recreational activities, as well as guided visits. Check visitor arrangements in advance. This will help you weigh up the different historical, cultural and water-based activities in Avis and the surrounding area as you plan your trip.

Discover more destinations: Ervedal, Benavila and Aldeia Velha.

For the broader travel overview: Avis.