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Caldas da Rainha

Caldas da Rainha is a city in Portugal's Oeste region, about 10 km from the Atlantic Ocean and 90 km north of Lisbon. Absent from most travellers' itineraries, this charming city is a great place to experience authentic Portugal without hordes of tourists. Caldas—as locals call it—offers visitors countless experiences to enjoy: a beautiful park, a bustling farmers' market, several museums, shops, restaurants, cafés, and bars. For visitors seeking a beach holiday, Foz do Arelho and Salir do Porto in Caldas municipality are popular destinations.

See
64
Do
38
Eat
131
Drink
114
Buy
34

11 places match

  1. See

    Praça da República

    Republic Square

    The city's grandest public square hosts the daily farmers' market and is called Praça da Fruta (Fruit Square) by the locals. The plaza is surrounded by many examples of fine architecture. Don't miss the lovely pink old city hall and several Art Nouveau buildings. You can find a respite from urban explorations with drinks and pastries at the kiosk on the plaza's southwestern end or at one of the area's many cafés. You might wish to also visit the square after the farmers' market finishes for the day, in order to appreciate the beautiful patterns of the stone calçada portuguesa pavement.

    24 hours dailyFree · Wheelchair accessible

  2. BuyMarket

    Mercado Semanal

    Feira, Weekly Market

    Caldas da Rainha's weekly market is held every Monday. The market is a great source for cheap basics including clothes, shoes, linens, tools, and housewares. Plants and small animals are also for sale here. A few kiosks serve down-home Portuguese cooking.

    Mon 07:00–14:00

  3. BuyMarket

    Mercado do Peixe

    Fish Market

    Formerly located on Praça 5 de Outubro (which was popularly called Praça do Peixe, "Fish Square"), the city's once lively open-air fish market was moved into this more subdued indoor location. The move has meant fewer customers and fewer vendors, also a result of Portugal's growing dependence on supermarkets. But the fish market is still the place to find fresh fish and seafood caught in the waters near Caldas. When you buy here, you're buying local.

  4. Drink

    Citrus Coffee

    Citrus serves coffee and healthy food. They offer a smoothie and juice bar. Located on Praça da República, its first floor (2nd to Americans) offers a nice view of the plaza and its farmers' market. Several vegan options are available. Citrus offers alfresco seating.

    Mon–Sat 09:00–19:00, Sun 10:00–19:00

  5. Buy

    Feira de Velharias

    Flea Market

    This monthly flea market in the park offers a great variety of goods for sale, from dishes to records and towels to clothing to home décor.

    2nd Sun of each month 09:00–17:00Free entry

  6. Buy

    Mercado de Santana

    Located at the confluence of Alvorninha, Rio Maior, and Benedita (Alcobaça), Mercado de Santana claims to be Portugal's largest open-air market. Variety from clothing to animals and housewares to fruits and vegetables. Prepared food is also on offer.

    Sun 07:00–14:00

  7. Buy

    Praça da Fruta

    Farmers' Market

    Caldas da Rainha's central main square, Praça da República, hosts Portugal's only daily outdoor farmers' market, located here since the 15th century. In addition to fresh fruits and vegetables, you can buy bread, cheese, flowers, Caldas' famous pottery, and other handicrafts. The most typical of local produce is the pêra rocha (rock pear).

    07:00–15:00 daily, except 1 Jan & 25 Dec

  8. See

    Largo Frederico Ferreira Pinto Bastos

    You will find this small, pleasant square in the Bairro Além da Ponte section of Santo Onofre. Away from the usual tourist track, this urban pocket provides a glimpse of typical life in a Portuguese neighbourhood. You may wish to sit at one of the outdoor cafés, or you can grab a beverage or light meal at one of the surrounding eateries and enjoy it on a public bench. The disused water pump served as the population's source of well water back in the days before homes had indoor plumbing. A few trees lend the square a feeling of city oasis. On Saturdays, the square hosts Mercadinho Das Águas Santas, a small market of handicrafts, culture, and food.

    24 hours dailyFree

  9. See

    Praça 5 de Outubro

    Antiga Praça do Peixe

    This square used to host the fish and seafood market until it moved indoors elsewhere in town. Nowadays, the plaza is a centre of dining and nightlife, with numerous restaurants, cafés, and bars. Many feature outdoor seating. Music and other entertainment often grace the square. The square's name means 5 October and commemorates the 1910 revolution in which King Manuel II was deposed and Portugal was established as a republic.

    24 hours dailyFree

  10. BuyFarmers market

    Agribeps Peças Lda

    Rua António Oliveira 40