Quinta das Lameiras

This fascinating corner of the Santarém offers the chance to explore several famed central Portuguese sights. Medieval Almourol Castle (25 minutes’ drive, then a short boat trip from Tancos) was built by the Knights Templar and sits on an island in the River Tagus; it is open for self-guided tours of the ramparts, towers and courtyards. There’s more Knights Templar heritage to be seen in Tomar (15 minutes); the UNESCO-listed Convent of Christ has an extraordinarily ornate and gilded interior. Other landmarks to look out for in this beguiling town are the medieval synagogue and the 17th-century Aqueduto dos Pegões. When you’re done with culture for the day, you can rest up with a coffee in Rua Serpa Pinto or Praça da República. Perhaps you’d rather stick with exploring the countryside? Take a stroll across the Castelo de Bode Dam (10 minutes) for views of the reservoir on River Zêzere, now a watersports hub with facilities for kayaking, paddleboarding and dinghy sailing. If you want to up the speed thrill, you can go jet skiing on designated areas of the lake too.