One day in Caldas da Rainha: What do to, see, and eat: If you’re looking for a destination that’s out of the ordinary in Portugal for a full-day visit, Caldas da Rainha could be the perfect choice.
Located between the mountains and the sea, in the beautiful West region, the city combines history, art, gastronomy and nature. In this full-day itinerary, we’ll show you everything the city has to offer – ideal for families, couples and even solo adventurers!
Why visit Caldas da Rainha
Before we start this itinerary, it’s worth understanding what makes Caldas da Rainha such a special place to visit. Founded at the end of the 15th century by Queen Leonor, the city was born from the existing medicinal waters. However, as time went by, it became an artistic center where ceramics gained enormous prominence on the national scene, where we can highlight its museums, the Thermal Hospital, Praça da Fruta or the majestic D. Carlos I Park.
How to get to Caldas da Rainha
Caldas da Rainha is just an hour’s drive from Lisbon, more or less 90 kilometers, making it the ideal day trip. The city can be reached by:
- Car: A8 highway (about an hour’s drive);
- Bus: Frequent departures by Rede de Expressos (Sete Rios Terminal), or by Rodoviária do Oeste (Campo Grande Terminal);
- Train: Daily options but less frequently than buses.
Morning: Culture, History and Tradition
1. Start the day at Praça da Fruta
Praça da Fruta is the heart of the city and one of the postcards you’ll want to see, as it is the only traditional open-air market in Portugal that is open every day of the year.
Here you’ll find a huge variety of fresh fruit and vegetables, but not only that, bread and cheese are also part of the daily lexicon. If you’re looking for “traditional fairs in Portugal”, you can’t miss Praça da Fruta.
Suggested time: 08am – 09am (closed after lunch)
Duration: 1 hour
2: Visit the Thermal Hospital and the Hospital and Caldas Museum
A short distance from Praça da Fruta is the Rainha D. Leonor Thermal Hospital and the oldest functioning thermal hospital in the world (founded in 1485). Next to the hospital you’ll find the Hospital and Caldas Museum, which has an interesting collection linked to the thermal baths and the city’s history.
Suggested time: 09am – 10am
Duration: 1 hour
3. Stroll through D. Carlos I Park
After visiting the museum, head towards the Thermal Hospital and straight ahead you’ll find Parque D. Carlos I, a romantic park from the late 19th century, and probably the most beautiful green space in the city, and perhaps one of the most beautiful in Portugal.
Here, the artificial lake with the old pavilions as a backdrop is the ideal place to take some excellent photographs. But that’s not all, the park is fantastic for walking and playing sports, or even having a picnic.
Suggested time: 10am – 11am
Duration: 1 hour
Noon: Art and Gastronomy
4. Visit the José Malhoa Museum
Inside the D. Carlos I Park is the José Malhoa Museum, dedicated to the famous Portuguese and Caldas naturalist painter. Here you can see paintings, sculptures and ceramics from Caldas da Rainha.
Suggested time: 12am-01pm
Duration: 1 hour
5. Lunch with local and traditional flavors
After a frenetic morning of tradition, culture and nature, it’s time for lunch. The most traditional dish around here is the eel stew from the Óbidos lagoon, but sometimes it’s not easy to find.
Traditional option: Capelinha do Monte (located outside the city)
This restaurant is known for its grills and other typical dishes.
Modern option: Tibino
A mix of traditional and modern using local produce
Must-try dessert: Cavacas das Caldas
Suggested time: 1pm-2.30pm
Duration: 1h30
Afternoon: Culture, Ceramics and Shopping
6. Caldas da Rainha Arts Center
Caldas da Rainha is linked to the arts not only through ceramics but also through sculpture. The Arts Center is probably the largest sculpture center in Portugal. The space is divided into several areas that you can visit: Leopoldo Almeida Museum, Barata Feyo Museum, Espaço Concas and Atelier João Fragoso.
Highlight: Sculpture
Suggested time: 2.30pm – 4pm
Duration: 1h30
7. Bordallo Pinheiro store
Bordallo Pinheiro’s official store is still present in the city that saw the artist pick his own pottery. You can visit the Bordallo Pinheiro factory (store) and, of course, do some shopping. Outside the factory, you can visit some of the external spaces that hold some of the factory’s collections.
Here you can buy what is most traditional in Caldas da Rainha:
- Cabbage-shaped platters;
- Decorative frogs;
- Other figures from the imagination of the master Bordallo Pinheiro.
Suggested time: 4pm – 4.30pm
Duration: 30m
Late Afternoon: Urban Art around the city
8. A stroll through the city looking at urban art
Caldas is also an open-air museum as there are several murals and interventions scattered around the city with different motifs.
Highlight: Mural in front of the Centro Cultural e Congressos by C’MARIE & EGRITO
Suggested time: 4.30pm – 6.30pm
Duration: 2 hours
Extra suggestions: If you have more time…
There are, of course, other places near Caldas da Rainha that you could consider visiting if you decide to spend the night and stay an extra day:
- Visit Foz do Arelho: One of the most beautiful beaches in the West;
- Explore the Bordaliana Route in the historic center;
- Book a tour at Caldas da Rainha;
- Attend a show at the Caldas da Rainha Cultural and Congress Center.
Conclusion: Is Caldas da Rainha worth a visit?
Yes, this itinerary shows that the city can be the perfect choice because here you can combine art, culture, nature and gastronomy.