Caldas da Rainha - Caldas da Rainha

Caldas da Rainha is a city ofExtremadura, historical region of Portugal.

To know

How to orient yourself

How to get

On the train

• Estação Ferroviária de Caldas da Rainha.  

By bus

• 39.405938-9.1345021 Rodoviário Terminal (bus terminal), Rua Coronel Soeiro de Brito, 35 (Served by the TOMA city buses of the Azul, Laranja (orange) and Green lines.). The city bus terminal, refurbished in 2011, is located in the city center. The bus is the quickest way to reach Caldas from other locations in the Portugal. 

How to get around

What see

Civil architectures

• 39.40314-9.132741 Hospital Termal Rainha D. Leonor, Largo Rainha Dona Leonor (Praça da Fruta stop on the Azul line), ☎ 351 262 830 300, @[email protected]. the thermal hospital was founded by queen Leonor after experiencing the healing properties of the sulphurous waters on this site. The older building was begun in 1485, and the newer was completed in 1750. The hospital continues to operate to this day, subject to closures when impurities are found in the water. The waters are rich in minerals, especially sulfur, and are prescribed to treat such ailments as arthritis, rheumatism, gout, sinusitis, rhinitis, laryngitis, bronchitis and asthma. 

Religious architectures

• 39.402688-9.1314392 Ermida do Espírito Santo, Largo João de Deus (on the southeast hill of the spa building. Praça da Fruta stop on the Azul line). Baroque chapel from the 16th century, rebuilt in 1800.  
• 39.404491-9.132893 Ermida de São Sebastião, Praça da Fruta. Another Baroque chapel from the 16th century.  
• 39.406388-9.1361894 Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Hemiciclo João Paulo II, 14 (Praça 25 de Abril stop on the Azul, Laranja and Verde lines), ☎ 351 262 832 029. Mon-Sat 08: 00-20: 00 Sun 08: 00-13: 00 & 17: 00-20: 00. Modern church built in 1950.  
• 39.403404-9.1324345 Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Pópulo (Church of Our Lady of the Populace), Off to Copa (Praça da Fruta stop on the Azul line). Tue – Sat 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm. Built in 1500 as the royal chapel of the thermal hospital, this church features late Gothic, Manueline and Mudejar styles. At the behest of Queen Leonor, Pope Julius II elevated the chapel to the mother church of Caldas. The interior is lined with tiles, including original Hispano-Arab azulejos on the side altars. The triptych of the Passion on the triumphal arch has attracted the interest of art historians. The church has been a national monument, the only one in Caldas, since 1910.  

Museums

• 39.399611-9.1304776 Museu da Cerâmica, Rua Dr. Ilídio Amado, 97 (Centro d'Artes stop on the Green line), ☎ 351 262 840 280, @[email protected]. € 2, Reduced € 0.80. Free admission on Sundays and holidays until 2:00 pm. Tue – Sun 10 am-5.30pm. Located in a late romantic manor, the Ceramics Museum displays a large collection of Caldas, Portugal and other places around the world. The museum houses ceramic pieces from the 17th century to the early 20th century, with particular attention to the local artist Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro. The collection also includes tiles and tile panels.  
• 39.402962-9.1341097 Cycling Museum, Rua de Camões, 57, ☎ 351 262 240 000. Free admission. Tue – Fri 10: 00–12: 30 & 14: 00–17: 30, Sat-Sun 10: 00–12: 30 & 14: 30–17: 00. This small museum is dedicated to cycling. In addition to exhibits on the history of cycling, several historic bicycles are exhibited. 
• 39.403668-9.1317248 Museu do Hospital e das Caldas, Rua Rodrigo Berquó (Praça da Fruta Azul line stop), ☎ 351 262 830 300, @[email protected]. € 3, reduced € 1.50, free for children up to 14 years.. Tue – Sat 10: 00-12: 30 & 14: 00-17: 30. Sun 09: 00-12: 00. Housed in the former royal palace, this museum presents the history of the thermal hospital and the city of Caldas. 
• 39.400818-9.1339939 José Malhoa Museum, Parque D. Carlos I, ☎ 351 262 831 984, @[email protected]. Full ticket € 3, reduced € 1.50, free for children up to 14 years. Tue – Sun 10: 00-12: 30 & 14: 00-18: 00. This small but intriguing museum displays paintings and sculptures from the 19th and 20th centuries, with particular attention to Portuguese naturalism and the works of José Malhoa (1855-1933). The collection includes pieces by Raffaello Bordallo Pinheiro, including the suggestive sixty-sculpture set "Passion of Christ". You won't find famous works here, but many pieces are worth hanging on the walls of the best museums in the world. It is worth the visit. Note the bas-reliefs on the facade of this building which was the first museum of the Portugal. An audio guide in English is available.  
• 39.400473-9.13015310 Casa Museu São Rafael, Rua Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro, 53 (Centro d'Artes stop on the green TOMA bus line), ☎ 351 262 839 380, @[email protected]. Mon – Fri by appointment only. Museum dedicated to ceramic products made in Rafael Bordallo Pinheiro's factory, including some original works by Bordallo Pinheiro himself dating from the late 19th century. 
• 39.398683-9.13109411 Centro de Artes, Rua Dr. Ilídio Amado (Centro d'Artes stop on the green TOMA bus line), ☎ 351 262 840 540. Free admission. Mon – Fri 09: 00–12: 30 & 14: 00–17: 30, Sat – Sun 09: 00–13: 00 & 15: 00–18: 00. The Centro de Artes is a series of small museums dedicated to sculpture and painting. Possibility of guided tours by appointment. 
  • Atelier-Museu António Duarte. Inaugurated in 1985 to house the works of the sculptor António Duarte (1912-1988) donated by the same to his hometown. 
  • Atelier-Museu João Fragoso. Opened in 1994, the museum houses the works of the sculptor João Fragoso (1913–2000). 
  • Barata Feyo Museum. Dedicated to the work of the sculptor, essayist and pedagogue Barata Feyo (1899-1990), this museum was designed by the artist's son, architect António Barata Feyo and opened in 2004. 
  • Museu Leopoldo de Almeida. Inaugurated on May 15, 2017, the museum presents the works of Leopoldo Neves de Almeida (October 18, 1898 - April 28, 1975), the official artist of Estado Novo. Almeida is known in Portugal for having created the "Monument to the Discoveries" ("Padrão dos Descobrimentos") a Lisbon. 
  • Espaço da Concas. This space-museum collects the works of Maria da Conceição Nunes, known as Concas (1946-1991). Donated by the artist's family, the paintings go back to the early years spent in Mozambique, to those who returned home around 1974. 

Parks and gardens

• 39.403964-9.13109312 Jardim da Água (between the building of the baths and the former royal palace; Cinco Bicas / CCC bus stop). An extravagant garden with water features, accented by tall structures decorated with imaginative patterned tiles. 
• 39.401808-9.13390313 Parque Dom Carlos I. This delightful central park is Caldas da Rainha's main green space. The paths between the flower beds and the trees make the walk pleasant. Museu José Malhoa is located in the middle of the park. Visitors can hire a rowboat to circumnavigate the small lake that surrounds a tiny island. The dock is now used for small art exhibitions, as is the "Céu de Vidro", an alley covered with skylights between two old buildings that connect the park to the thermal hospital. The park contains numerous statues and sculptures, some depicting historical figures, others with a more whimsical shape. THE Pavilhões do Parque they are several interconnected structures that have served various purposes in the past. These delightful buildings, which form a sort of emblem of the park, have unfortunately been left to fall into disrepair. Their beauty is, however, still evident and their reflection on the lake is much photographed. There is a playground, picnic area, tennis courts and restrooms. The park is dedicated to the penultimate king of Portugal who was assassinated at the age of 44 on February 1, 1908. 

Events and parties

What to do

• 39.411865-9.1516141 Caldas Bowling, Avenida Vasco da Gama, 77 (Piscinas bus stop Azul and Laranja), ☎ 351 262 824 348, @[email protected]. Mon-Sun 11: 00–03: 00. Bowling hall with 10 lanes. Bar / restaurant service, video games and karaoke on Tuesdays. 
• 39.422303-9.1636572 Indoor Karting Caldas da Rainha, Rua João Reis, 16A (Industrial area northwest of the center; reachable by car via the N360 state road called Avenida Atlântica; walk or with the suburban buses of the Rodoviária do Oeste bus lines to Foz do Arelho), ☎ 351 262 084 912. €12–20;. Tue – Sat 16: 00–2: 00, Sun 16: 00–00: 00. Indoor go-karting with a 315m track. 

• 39.409726-9.2019033 Escola de Vela from Lagoa, Rua do Penedo Furado, Nadadouro, ☎ 351 262 978 592, @[email protected]. Learn windsurfing, kitesurfing, water skiing and sailing on the Óbidos Lagoon. 

Beaches

• 39.432433-9.2296644 Praias de Foz do Arelho (Exit 18 of the A8 motorway and N360 state road; frequent runs of the Rodoviária do Oeste bus lines). The closest beaches to Caldas da Rainha, about 10 km from the center. One of these is two-faced in the sense that it overlooks the "roaring" Atlantic Ocean on one side and the calm waters of the Lagoa de Óbidos. 
• 39.502929-9.150615 Salir do Porto (It can be reached by bus from the Rodoviária do Oeste but runs are infrequent). The calm waters of this bay-enclosed beach help make it a prime destination for families with small children. 

Shopping

With over 600 shops, Caldas da Rainha offers several shopping opportunities. The main shopping streets are Rua Heróis da Grande Guerra, Rua das Montras, Rua da Liberdade, Rua de Camões and their side streets.

If you are looking for souvenirs to take home, you should turn to locally produced pottery. Raphael Bordallo Pinheiro's factory is the most famous. Caldas is known for its phallus-shaped pottery in various sizes displayed in shop windows and on stands at fairs and markets.

Caldas also has a long tradition in embroidery ( bordado ). The most common embroideries are in the form of cobwebs, hearts, crowns, birds. According to a local legend, Queen Leonor's handmaids embroidered the king's cloak so that it looked like it was covered in gold.

If you are on a tight budget you could go to one of the many Chinese shops in the city (lojas chinesas) that exhibit, in addition to household items and clothing caps, also toys and souvenirs. Of course, you can't expect quality items.

Shopping centers and markets

• 39.401158-9.1369341 La Vie (ex Vivaci), Rua Belchior de Matos 11, ☎ 351 262 870 020. Mon-Sun 10: 00-23: 00. The largest shopping mall in the city houses 60 shops, a supermarket, 15 restaurants and five cinemas on its four floors. The 440-space garage offers 2 hours of free parking. 
• 39.404555-9.1357612 Centro Comercial D. Carlos I, Rua Dr. Carlos Manuel Saudade and Silva (Bus stop "Heróis from the Great War"), @[email protected]. Mon – Sat 08: 00-22: 00. Small two-story mall in the heart of the city. 
• 39.406814-9.1228553 Feira Semanal (Mercado Semanal), Rua Diário de Notícias ("Mercado" bus stop). Weekly market held every Monday morning from 07:00 to 14:00. Clothing, linens, utensils and household items at affordable prices. Some stalls serve typical Portuguese snacks. 
• 39.403944-9.13364 Praça da República / Praça da Fruta, @[email protected]. Mon-Sun 07: 00-15: 00. The central square of Caldas da Rainha hosts an outdoor food market. In addition to fresh fruit and vegetables, you can buy bread, cheese, flowers and the famous Caldas ceramics. The most typical of the local products is the "pêra rocha" (rock pear). 

Souvenirs and similar items

• 39.40049-9.1306475 Bordallo Pinheiro factory, Rua Rafael Bordallo Pinheiro, 53 (Centro d'Artes bus stop), ☎ 351 262 880 568, @[email protected]. Reproductions of the ceramic creations of Raffaello Bordallo Pinheiro (1846-1905) such as the famous cabbage-shaped tureen. 
• 39.407064-9.1335956 Livraria Alfarrabista Liliana Queiroz, Rua Tenente Sangreman Henriques, 34 (Near the suburban bus station), ☎ 351 262 824 654, @[email protected]. Mon – Fri 10: 00–13: 00 & 15: 00–19–00. This bookshop exhibits illustrated books, old magazines as well as rare editions. 
• 39.403762-9.1356617 Mercearia Pena, Rua Heróis from the Great War, 51, ☎ 351 262 832 580, @[email protected]. Mon – Fri 09: 00-13: 00 & 15: 00-19: 30, Sat 09: 00-13: 00. More than just a grocery store, Mercearia Pena has been selling quality traditional Portuguese food products since 1909 such as homemade coffee, cod, sausages, cheeses, spices, biscuits, dried legumes and fruit and more. 

How to have fun

Shows

• 39.40605-9.1311661 Centro Cultural e de Congressos (CCC, Cultural and Conference Center), Rua Dr. Leonel Sotto Mayor (Bus stop of the Azul, Laranja and Verde "Cinco Bicas / CCC" lines), ☎ 351 262 094 081, 351 262 889 650, @[email protected]. The center hosts concerts, theatrical performances and dance performances as well as conferences and extra-temporary exhibitions. 
• 39.401751-9.1421992 Teatro da Rainha, Rua Vitorino Fróis / Largo da Universidade, Building 2 (Bus stop "Biblioteca" of the Laranja line), ☎ 351 262 823 302, @[email protected]. 
• 39.40087-9.1370513 Cineplace (formerly Vivacine), Rua Belchior de Matos, 11 (Inside the La Vie shopping center). Full ticket € 6.60, Reduced € 5.60 for students / young and old; Monday € 5.50 for everyone; 3D glasses rental € 1. 
• 39.407619-9.1346714 Bullfighting, Praça de Touros. 

Where to eat

Moderate prices

• 39.405106-9.1334191 A Lanterna, Rua Alexandre Herculano (Rua do Jardim), 78 (Bus stops "Heróis da Grande Guerra" and "Terminal Rodoviário"), ☎ 351 262 824 301, @[email protected]. Mon-Sun 07: 00–24: 00. Popular in style, the restaurant "A Lanterna" is highly appreciated by the locals for the possibility it offers to taste traditional home cooking dishes at a fraction of the price requested by the competitors. The Tuesday menu usually features Angolan cuisine. 
• 39.403145-9.1361022 The Piazza Pizzaria, Praça 5 de Outubro (Antiga Praça do Peixe), 14A (Bus stops "Heróis from the Great War" and "Rainha"), ☎ 351 262 834 426. Mon – Sat 11: 00-23: 00. La Piazza offers a choice of pasta dishes, penne, tagliatelle, tortellini, strozzapreti and spaghetti in various sauces as well as pizzas of different sizes, from 24 to 50 cm. If you don't feel like experimenting with pizza and pasta prepared in a heterodox way, you can always fall back on different types of salads. The restaurant also has outdoor tables. 
• 39.408251-9.1338613 Novo Mundo Pizzeria, Rua da Praça de Touros, 25B, ☎ 351 262 842 969, @[email protected]. Mon – Sat 11: 00-22: 00. A take away specialized in pizzas prepared in the Portuguese way or more exactly in vogue in the former colonies of the country. Thus, for example, the tropical pizza it is garnished with mushrooms, corn, peaches, bananas while in the vegetarian pizza, Atum and Ovo eggs, tuna, mushrooms and various vegetables appear as ingredients. 
• 39.4062-9.1345564 TBAC - The Bread and Coffee, Rua Coronel Soeiro de Brito, 34-A (Bus stops "Terminal Rodoviário" or "Montepio"), ☎ 351 262 831 062, @[email protected]. Mon – Fri 08: 00-19: 30 Sat 8: 00-19: 00. A snack bar / ice cream parlor at the suburban bus terminus (Rodoviário Terminal), suitable for quick snacks. 

Average prices

• 39.402199-9.1024575 Adega do Albertino, Rua Júlio Sousa, 7; Imaginário (East of the center at the beginning of the N114-1 national road and accessible by the suburban buses of the Rodoviária do Oeste), ☎ 351 262 835 152, @[email protected]. Tue – Thu 12: 00–13: 30 Fri – Sun 12: 00–15: 00. Country restaurant in a rustic style appreciated for its local cuisine. 
• 39.402992-9.1364416 In Capelinha do Monte, Praça 5 de Outubro (Antiga Praça do Peixe), 22 (Bus stops "Heróis from the Great War" and "Rainha"), ☎ 351 262 832 031, @[email protected]. Mon – Mar 08: 30–16: 00 Wed – Sat 08: 30–22: 00. Traditional Portuguese cuisine restaurant specializing in meat dishes. 
• 39.403503-9.133367 Cervejaria Camaroeiro Real, Travessa de Santo António 1 (Praça da Fruta bus stop), ☎ 351 262 834 470, @[email protected]. Mon – Sat 09: 00–02: 00 Sun 11: 30–23: 00. Renowned brewery in operation since 1968 with local cuisine based on fish and meat. 
• 39.398771-9.134078 Delhi Darbar, Rua General Amilcar Mota, 21 (Bus stop "Centro Paroquial" on the green line), ☎ 351 262 104 526. Tue – Sun 12: 00–15: 00 & 18: 00–23: 30. Indian restaurant with a wide choice of dishes (around 150). 
• 39.401419-9.1367839 Kyodai, Avenida Dom Manuel Freire da Câmara, 5 (Inside the "La Vie" shopping center). Sushi and other Far Eastern cuisine. 
• 39.413568-9.14286910 Lily Cake, Rua Cambo-les-Bains 5 (Bus stop "Cidade" on the Azul line), ☎ 351 913 759 545, @[email protected]. Mon – Fri 07: 00–19: 00, Sat 08: 00–17: 00, Sun 08: 00–15: 00. Local suitable for subjects of his British majesty or for tourists addicted to the eating habits of the UK. In addition to offering a typically British breakfast (fried eggs and bacon), the Lily Cake also functions as a tea room in the afternoon with both English and Portuguese-made biscuits and pastries. 
• 39.405903-9.1358411 Meia Tigela, Hemiciclo João Paulo II, 9A (Bus stop "Câmara"), ☎ 351 262 833 173, @[email protected]. Mon – Thu 12: 00–15: 00 and 19: 30–23: 00, Fri – Sat 12: 00–15: 00 & 19: 30–23: 30. Portuguese and international cuisine restaurant with a dining room with attention to furnishings and decorations. The menu is posted daily on the restaurant's Facebook page. 
• 39.403448-9.13662512 In Mimosa, Praça 5 de Outubro (Antiga Praça do Peixe), 37 (Bus stops "Heróis from the Great War" and "Rainha"), ☎ 351 262 832 735. Mon – Sat 08: 00-23: 30. In operation since 1961 A Mimosa is a well-known restaurant specializing in fish dishes typical of Portuguese cuisine. 
• 39.403079-9.13325913 Restaurante Tijuca, Rua de Camões, 89 (Praça da Fruta bus stop), ☎ 351 262 824 255. Mon – Sat 07: 00–02: 15. Informal restaurant with multilingual staff, attentive to customer requests and generous with recommendations. 

High prices

• 39.406739-9.13660114 Marathon, Praça 25 de Abril, 15 ("Câmara" bus stop on all three lines), ☎ 351 262 841 483. €20–€40. Mon – Sat 12: 00–15: 00 & 19: 30–23: 30. A restaurant and bar of Portuguese and international cuisine with a wide choice of vegetarian dishes. 
• 39.403546-9.13652515 Sabores of Italy, Praça 5 de Outubro (Antiga Praça do Peixe), 40 (Bus stops "Heróis from the Great War" and "Rainha"), ☎ 351 262 845 600, @[email protected]. Tue – Sun 12: 30–14: 30 & 19: 00–22: 00. The most refined (and the most expensive) of the city restaurants has a menu of dishes prepared with genuine ingredients of Italian cuisine. 
• 39.425917-9.17024716 In Lareira, Rua da Lareira, 35; Alto do Nobre, Nadadouro (Northwest of the center, on a side street from the Foz do Arelho), ☎ 351 262 823 432. Traditional Portuguese restaurant with a selection of dishes including international cuisine. 

Where stay

Safety

How to keep in touch

Around

• 39.3614-9.15712 Óbidos

Useful information

• 39.404264-9.1324133 Touristic office, Praça da República, ☎ 351 262 240 000. Mon – Fri 09: 00-12: 30 & 14: 00-17: 30. The tourist information office also has a small one shop of local artisan products and a bar / restaurant called Fruta da Casa. 

Supermarkets

• 39.403992-9.1485054 Aldi, Avenida Timor Lorosae (Bus stop "CENCAL" on the Laranja line). Mon-Sun 09: 00-21: 00. Discount supermarket of the well-known German chain specializing in the sale of Portuguese products. 
• 39.411015-9.1410075 Lidl, Rua Dr. Bernardino António Carvalho Pargana ("Centro de Saúde" bus stop on all three urban lines). Mon – Sun 08: 00-22: 00. Supermarket of the well-known German chain, bitter competitor of Aldi even if they do not hesitate to join forces when it comes to doing good business together. Every week the Lidl di Caldas presents a series of typical products from other European countries including Italy. 
• 39.41316-9.140466 Continent Modelo, Rua Bernardino António Carvalho Pargana (TOMA Azul / Blue, Laranja / Orange, or Verde / Green to Centro de Saúde), ☎ 351 262 840 870. Hypermarket in the suburbs with a wide range of products of various types, including cosmetics. 
• 39.402923-9.1465197 E.Leclerc, Quinta do Salgado (Bus stop "CENCAL" on the Laranja line), ☎ 351 262 870 130. Mon – Sun 08: 30-22: 00. Supermarket of a French chain with products from that country as well as Portuguese and other European countries. 
• 39.436138-9.2132138 Meu Super, Rua das Hortas, 25, Foz do Arelho, ☎ 351 262 978 300. Mon – Sun 08: 00–21: 00. 
• Minipreço. The Portuguese branch of the Spanish brand supermarket chain. In Portugal it has had enormous success since its inception and in Caldas de Rainha there are also several Minipreços. Here are a couple of them: 
  • 39.406181-9.1351429 Minipreço I (Urban), Rua Engº Duarte Pacheco 5 (Bus stops "Montepio" or "Terminal Rodoviário" on all three urban lines: Azul / Blu, Laranja / Orange and Green), ☎ 351 808 200 795. Mon – Sat 09: 00-20: 00. A small supermarket in the center which, however, includes a deli department. 
  • 39.402694-9.14880910 Minipreço II (Parking), Avenida Timor Lorosae (TOMA Laranja / Orange to CENCAL), ☎ 351 808 200 795. Mon – Sun 09: 00–21: 00. Another large supermarket in the Santo Onofre district with a large parking lot. 
• 39.400795-9.13667711 Pão de Açúcar, Av. D. Manuel Figueira Freire da Câmara (Inside the La Vie shopping center. "Rainha" bus stop on all three lines), ☎ 351 217 103 440, @[email protected]. Mon – Sun 10: 00-22: 00. Supermarket of the Auchan group which also manages the Jumbo brand in Portugal. The local press has indicated it in the past as the Caldas supermarket that practices the lowest prices but this is not true and the article was most likely paid advertising, at the time not reported because the rules governing this type of items had not been still launched. 
• Pingo Doce. Renowned Portuguese brand supermarket chain with a minority stake held by a Dutch company. The right place to find good quality local products. 
  • 39.4047-9.13544412 Pingo Doce - Heróis Da G. Guerra, Rua Heróis from the Great War, 95 ("Heróis da Grande Guerra" bus stop on all three lines), ☎ 351 262 845 399. Mon – Sun 08: 30–21: 00. Small supermarket in the center. 
  • 39.403422-9.14498713 Pingo Doce - Vitorino Fróis, Rua Vitorino Fróis (Rua da Estrada da Foz) (Bairro Santo Onofre; bus stop "CENCAL" on the Laranja line), ☎ 351 262 841 641. Mon – Sun 09: 00–21: 00. Supermarket in the northern suburbs. 
  • 39.426065-9.12976614 Pingo Doce - Tornada, Estrada da Tornada (N8 road), ☎ 351 262 839 610. Mon – Sun 09: 00-22: 00. Hypermarket in the northern suburbs. 

Other projects

• Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Caldas da Rainha
• Commons contains images or other files on Caldas da Rainha

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