The municipality of Ferreira do Zêzere is shaped by the Rio Zêzere, the Albufeira de Castelo de Bode and extensive areas of woodland. There are also opportunities for water sports, historic sites and trails with different focuses. Ferreira do Zêzere is considered a geographical transition area between the Ribatejo and the Beiras; to the east, the municipality is bordered by the Rio Zêzere. When planning your trip, you can choose between days by the water, cultural destinations and nature experiences.
Plan your journey and accommodation
From Lisbon, the road route follows the A1, A23 and A13. At the Ferreira do Zêzere sul exit, follow the EN238 variant for another 5 km to the centre. Check road conditions before setting off. Rede Expressos buses run directly from Lisbon to Ferreira do Zêzere. By train, travel to Tomar; you can cover the remaining distance by taxi or using the on-demand transport service in Médio Tejo. If you are travelling by public transport, check the latest timetables before deciding on your connection.
Check hotel availability and the connections that suit your journey before making plans.
Water, beaches and boating
The Rio Zêzere and the Albufeira de Castelo do Bode offer opportunities for wakeboarding, stand-up paddleboarding and canoeing. At Praia Fluvial da Castanheira, you can also enjoy water skiing, windsurfing and rowing with the support of the Centro Náutico. As providers may operate seasonally, check which activities and conditions are currently available before taking part.
Praia Fluvial da Bairrada/Bairradinha offers a natural sandy beach and the calm waters of the Rio Zêzere. It was inaugurated on 13 June 2026 as a modern bathing area with facilities for comfort, safety and accessibility. Facilities included toilets, changing rooms, a first-aid post, a bar, a terrace, a car park, accessible walkways, a picnic area and a viewpoint with panoramic views. There are also leisure areas and river beaches along the Albufeira of the Barragem de Castelo de Bode. Lago Azul has a mooring and a boat refuelling station.
Dornes and its religious history
Dornes has been associated with the religious worship of Nossa Senhora do Pranto since the 12th century. The Torre de Dornes is believed to have been built in the 13th century by the Knights Templar as part of a line of defence. The present-day building of the Santuário de Nossa Senhora do Pranto was built in 1453 at the instigation of D. Gonçalo de Sousa. The Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Pranto combines Gothic, Mannerist and Baroque styles; the Santuário also houses an 18th-century organ.
This tradition inspires the annual Círios, which come from several parts of the country. The traditional Zêzere boats known as “Três Tábuas” or “Abrangel” are still built in Dornes. If you are interested in boatbuilding, check in advance whether it may be possible to meet craftspeople; their current availability needs to be confirmed separately. The small, simple and converted Capela de Santo António stands before the steps leading to the Santuário de Nossa Senhora do Pranto.
More cultural sites and trails
In Pombeira, the Capela de São Pedro de Castro stands on a hill and is classified as a building of public interest. The present-day building was rebuilt in the 14th century. A stone plaque on the main façade attests to the presence of the Romans. The trails also showcase the area’s cultural heritage: the PR4 Trilho do Castro includes the Capela de São Pedro de Castro, while the PR6 Zêzere Sagrado leads visitors to discover three churches classified as being of public interest.
The Gruta de Avecasta points to human presence dating back to the Bronze Age. Archaeological investigations found that a village once stood inside the cave. Access to the Gruta is restricted; check the arrangements before visiting. If you are looking for scenic views on a trail, the PR2 Trilho do Lagar Velho offers views of the Albufeira de Castelo de Bode. The PR3 Trilho da Pombeira offers views of Pombeira, Zaboeira, Alcamim and the Albufeira.
The Estação da Biodiversidade is an approximately two-kilometre-long trail along a watercourse through riverside vegetation and woodland. The Estação da Biodiversidade de Dornes was created to observe and record local biodiversity, with a particular focus on butterflies. The different themes can help you decide whether to focus your excursion on nature observation, views or cultural heritage.
Regional cuisine and festival
The annual Festival Sabores do Zêzere showcases specialities from Ferreira do Zêzere. These include fish soup with crayfish, sautéed crayfish, crayfish risotto, empadas and rissóis. Alongside the food programme, there are activities such as walks and Peddy-Paper. If you want to include the festival in your stay, check the event dates. Culinary discoveries can thus complement your choice between water, nature and cultural heritage, without every stay having to focus on the same things.
Discover more destinations: Ferreira Do Zêzere, Dornes, Bela Vista, Chamusca, Ourém, Tomar, Alpiarça Municipality, Alcanena.
For the main travel overview: Santarem.
