Discover Almada: Culture and Landscape

Almada offers different perspectives on culture and landscape. Archaeological remains date back to the 1st millennium BC; contemporary art and striking views of the Tagus add further highlights. When planning your stay, you can decide whether to focus in particular on architectural history, archaeology, art or nature.

Architecture, Art and Archaeology

Casa da Cerca is a 16th-century civic building, classified as a property of public interest. Its U-shaped layout encloses a central courtyard, and the chapel is decorated with tiles dating from the early 18th century. The different dates of the building and its chapel interior make two historical layers of the site tangible.

The Casa da Cerca Contemporary Art Centre is housed in the former Palácio da Cerca in Almada’s historic centre. Exhibitions of contemporary art are its main activity, with a particular focus on drawing. This focus gives the art scene a distinctive profile alongside the city’s architectural and historical themes.

The Museu de Almada – Casa da Cidade is the main site of the Museu de Almada. Its permanent exhibition explores the municipality, complemented by temporary exhibitions. A lasting perspective on Almada is thus presented alongside changing exhibition themes.

The Quinta do Almaraz archaeological site is a settlement dating from the 1st millennium BC, which emerged in connection with the westward expansion of Phoenician populations. It is situated on a platform overlooking the Tagus within the city of Almada, is classified as a Sítio de Interesse Público (Site of Public Interest), and is considered one of the region’s most significant archaeological sites. Public access is possible only by prior appointment or as part of educational and outreach programmes; these include guided archaeological interpretation walks on foot.

Views and Nature

The Cristo Rei monument was inaugurated on 17 May 1959. It stands 113 metres above sea level and is 110 metres high: the first figure indicates its elevation, the second the height of the monument. From Cristo Rei, the view extends over Lisbon and the northern bank of the Tagus, from the river mouth to the Mar da Palha, as well as over Almada to the Serra da Arrábida. The statue is one of Almada’s outstanding viewpoints.

The first biodiversity station in an urban setting at national level was established in Parque da Paz. You can explore various natural and human-shaped habitats along its winding paths. More than 1,000 species of living organisms have been recorded in the city park. The paths offer insights into different habitats; the biodiversity station and the recorded diversity of species add another perspective to this connection with nature.

The coastal tradition is also part of the municipality of Almada: its beaches are closely associated with Arte Xávega, a traditional fishing technique regarded as an important part of the Costa da Caparica’s identity and heritage. This regional connection adds a perspective on fishing traditions to the archaeological, architectural and artistic themes.

Discover more destinations: Fernão Ferro, Sesimbra, Zambujal de Cima, Portinho Da Arrábida, Porto Covo, Palhais, Trafaria, Abela

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