Best attractions and places to see around Vendas Novas, a town in Portugal's Alentejo region, offer a mix of historical landmarks and local cultural experiences. The area is set amidst farmland, featuring agricultural elements and points of interest. Visitors can explore sites with significant historical connections and enjoy local gastronomy.
Last updated: May 3, 2026
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The Vidigal Palace is an old royal hunting lodge built in the municipality of Vendas Novas, in the district of Évora. ✓History and Characteristics Origin: Commissioned by King D. Carlos I in 1896. ✓Construction: The works continued until the monarch's regicide in 1908. ✓Property: It currently belongs to the Casa de Bragança Foundation. ✓Architecture: It features a typical Ribatejo style with a quadrangular plan and a central courtyard. ✓Annex structures: It includes a bullfighting arena, a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Conception, and an old royal halt. ✓Current state: The building is uninhabited, unfurnished, and in an advanced state of degradation. ✓Location and Visits Address: Estrada de Canha, Herdade do Vidigal, Vendas Novas. ✓Access: It is private property, so visits inside require prior authorization from the foundation or occur during specific events organized by the Vendas Novas City Council.
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Most likely the best bifanas in Portugal 😋 The fish soup is also recommended.
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Safira, an abandoned village in the Alentejo region, is located near the N4 highway, between Vendas Novas and Montemor-o-Novo. It's about 20 kilometers from Montemor-o-Novo. The road to Safira is very poor, so it's best reached by car 🚗 or mountain bike. Road bikes 🚲 are strongly discouraged, as they will damage the tires and cause punctures every 100 meters. Safira, meaning "sapphire," is the name of a precious stone. The village began to be abandoned in 1930 and was completely deserted by 1965. It was home to approximately 600 people. You can still see its cemetery, a few houses 🏠, and what remains of the village church ⛪️. There was a lake and arsenic and copper mines. I recommend watching the following videos 📹 https://youtu.be/EkQ8A2DF0qg?si=GPgijKT1nhxIwfuI https://youtu.be/1LLp6FRn0vo?si=Vd_1i1Y-1F1w11Ac https://youtu.be/jbEotybYu1w?si=B7GYOjFLU-Un0FjD
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small museum of Portuguese artillery.
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The Royal Palace of Vendas Novas, known by the Palace of the Passages, currently Artillery Regiment No. 5, was the scene of one of the most beautiful stories of princesses. Wart of D. In 1728, the palace targeted two nights in bed on the way to Caia, where he was to stay D. Barbara marries D. Ferdinand VI of Spain, while on the return D. Mariana Victoria, bride of the future king D. José I, episode in the history of Portugal that became known as the Exchange of Princesses. The construction of this building took place in record time of a year, so that everything was ready to receive the princesses. Colonel José da Silva Pais and Vasconcelos intended the direction, the architecture was in charge of Custos of Vieira and a million crusaders were spent, so the result was the Palace of Great Magnanimity, considered at the time one of the largest buildings in the country. The building had many excellent divisions for the royal family and their servants and there was still an oratory and a sacristy lined with gilded carvings. From the Inn of the Kings it went into cavalry cases, set, telegraph, improvised hospital for the fight against yellow fever and finally, since 1861 and on the initiative of D. Pedro V, for the headquarters of the Artillery Practice School, so until 2013. Currently Artillery Regiment No.5 Inside the famous palace it is still possible to observe the original frescoes on the ceilings, the fountain, which although covered, is still in the courtyard courtyard and the Palace of the King's Hunt, which is located in the artillery polygon. All the rest of the compartments of the palace now function as offices of the military unit and the rest room has been adapted to the day-to-day use of the barracks. https://www.cm-vendasnovas.pt/visitante/monumentos/palacio-das-passagens/
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The Vidigal Palace was built by King D. Carlos I in 1896, consisting of a hunting lodge. The works continued until his assassination on February 1, 1908. With a typical Ribatejo style, the palace is without any furniture. The complex includes a chapel to Nossa Senhora da Conceição and an arena where several bullfights took place.
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Vendas Novas' culinary specialty, bifana. Bifanas have a special seasoning. There is a great offer of bifanas in Vendas Novas. They are to cry and ask for more!
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Vendas Novas is rich in history. You can explore the Vendas Novas Artillery Practice School, which was originally the Royal Palace of Vendas Novas. It features original Rococo frescoes and a small military museum. Another significant site is the Palácio do Vidigal, a former hunting lodge built by King D. Carlos I, which includes a chapel and an old arena. Don't miss the Capela Real do Palácio das Passagens, a Classical-style chapel, and the Chafariz Real, a restored 18th-century royal fountain.
Beyond the main landmarks, Vendas Novas offers unique cultural insights. The town is famous for its 'bifanas' (pork steak sandwiches), and you can explore a dedicated 'Bifana Route' to taste different versions of this local specialty. For a glimpse into the past, visit Safira, an abandoned village, which offers a poignant look at a deserted settlement with remnants of houses, a cemetery, and a church.
While Vendas Novas is set amidst farmland, it offers pleasant green spaces. The Jardim Público de Vendas Novas, laid out on former farmland, features palms, orchards, cork oaks, and holm oaks. It includes green lawns, a pond, a children's playground, and an amphitheater for events. The surrounding countryside is characterized by agricultural fields and cork oak forests, providing a harmonious blend of urban and natural landscapes.
The area around Vendas Novas is suitable for various outdoor activities, particularly running. You can find several running trails, including loops from Vendas Novas and Pegões, and a specific route around the Palácio Real de Vendas Novas. For more details on these routes, visit the Running Trails around Vendas Novas guide.
Yes, Vendas Novas offers several family-friendly options. The Vendas Novas Artillery Practice School (former Royal Palace) is interesting for its history and museum. For dining, both Bifanas in the style of Vendas Novas and O Migalhas are restaurants known for their local specialties and are welcoming to families. The Jardim Público de Vendas Novas has a children's playground, and the Complexo das Piscinas Municipais offers municipal swimming pools for relaxation. A short drive away, Monte Selvagem – Reserva Animal is an ethical animal park suitable for families.
Vendas Novas is renowned for its 'bifanas,' a delicious pork steak sandwich. You can savor this local culinary specialty at places like Bifanas in the style of Vendas Novas. Another highly recommended spot is O Migalhas, which is also famous for its bifanas and offers other local dishes like fish soup.
The Alentejo region, where Vendas Novas is located, experiences hot summers. For outdoor activities like running or exploring historical sites comfortably, spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are generally the most pleasant times. During these seasons, the weather is milder, making it ideal for walking and sightseeing.
Yes, you can take a short drive east to Montemor-o-Novo, which features a decaying castle built in 1203 with impressive walls and towers, offering scenic views of the Alentejo countryside. The 16th-century Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Visitação also provides marvelous views from its hilltop location.
The Antigo Moinho de Vento de Vendas Novas is a whitewashed windmill, likely dating from the early 1800s, centrally located in the town. It houses the town's tourist office and allows visitors to see much of its original mechanism, including the wheel used to turn the blades, offering a glimpse into traditional local industry.
The Vendas Novas Artillery Practice School, originally known as the Palácio das Passagens, was commissioned by King John V in 1728 as a royal rest stop. It was built in a record year to host the 'Exchange of Princesses' in 1728. It later became an artillery academy in the 19th century and now houses the Artillery Regiment No. 5, preserving original Rococo frescoes and a military museum.
Yes, the Complexo das Piscinas Municipais (Municipal Swimming Pools) offers a place to relax and cool off, especially during the warmer months. It's a popular spot for both locals and visitors seeking respite from the heat.


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