Caldas da Rainha

The city of Caldas da Rainha has 27,000 residents and serves as the seat of a municipality of the same name with a population of almost 52,000. Caldas is also the seat of the Comunidade Intermunicipal do Oeste, made up of 12 municipalities with over 362,000 people.
For centuries, the sulphurous curative waters of Caldas were its main draw. The city's name can be translated as "Queen's Hot Springs", "Queen's Spa", or "Queen's Baths". Locals, known as caldenses, usually refer to the city as simply "Caldas".

History

Caldas da Rainha was founded by Queen Leonor, wife of King João II. One day in 1484, while traveling from Óbidos to Batalha, she found a group of peasants bathing in foul-smelling waters by the roadside. She stopped to inquire about this strange sight, and the bathers told the queen of the waters' curative powers. She decided to try the waters for herself and was pleased to find that she was quickly relieved of some affliction she had been suffering. The queen ordered a thermal hospital built on the site of those waters, so that others may enjoy the relief that she felt. Construction began the following year, 1485, and the first patients were admitted in 1488. Work continued until about 1496 or 1497. To pay for hospital and its adjoining church, the queen sold her jewels and used income from her landholdings. The spa hospital still stands to serve those with certain medical conditions.
In 1511, King Manuel I, brother of Queen Leonor, declared Caldas da Rainha a town. In 1821, the town became a municipal seat. Caldas was elevated to city status in August 1927.
During the 20th century, Caldas served as a refuge several times. In 1901 and 1902, the city welcomed 350 Boer men, women and children escaping the devastation of the Second Boer War in South Africa. During World War I, in which Portugal fought alongside the Allies, German men of military age were interned in Caldas and released after the end of the war. During World War II, when Portugal remained neutral, Caldas housed hundreds of Jewish refugees, as well as 230 Britons who had been living in Axis Italy. Also ensconced in Caldas were British and American airmen who crashed or landed in Portugal or off its coast.
Before dawn on 16 March 1974, in a prelude to Portugal's Carnation Revolution, a group of 30 officers and 300 enlisted soldiers from the army base in Caldas attempted a coup d'etat. Upon reaching the outskirts of Lisbon, the nation's capital, they found that the other units that were supposed to revolt had not made it. The men returned to Caldas, locked themselves in the base, and awaited the consequences. They were surrounded, arrested, and sent to various military prisons, and were released 40 days later on 25 April 1974, when Carnation Revolution came.

Orientation

City

Although not a large city, Caldas da Rainha does have several distinct neighbourhoods. Nossa Senhora do Pópulo and Santo Onofre, the two freguesias (civil parishes) that make up the city of Caldas da Rainha, are separated from each other by the railway tracks.

Nossa Senhora do Pópulo

• Caldas da Rainha — Nossa Senhora do Pópulo

  phone: +351 262 832 729
  address: Rua Almirante Cândido Reis 1
  (pop. 16,114) This mostly urban civil parish forms the eastern half of the city, where most of the sites of interest to visitors are found.
  Avenal, in the city's southeast, is a mostly residential neighborhood, that also hosts the Arts Centre and the Ceramics Museum.
  Bairro Azul (Blue Neighbourhood), just west of Praça 5 de Outubro, earned it named from the predominantly blue tile façades of its buildings. Shopping and services are available here.
  Bairro Lisbonense, named after the venerable defunct Grand'Hotel Lisbonense, is dominated by the hotel's modern replacement, Caldas's largest shopping centre, and apartment blocks (most, for some reason, trimmed in shades of brown). Here you will find an abundance of cafés, beauty salons, and other local services.
  Centro (City Centre) is where visitors are likely to spend much of their time, shopping, dining, relaxing. Here you'll find beautiful Art Nouveau buildings on narrow streets with narrow sidewalks. The city's principal squares—Praça da República, Praça 5 de Outubro, and Praça 25 de Abril—are found here.
  

** Encosta do Sol (Sun Hill), in the city's west, is a residential neighbourhood, rising uphill from the centre.
Zona Histórica (Historic Zone) is where Caldas da Rainha began. This area has the spa hospital, the Church of Nossa Senhora do Pópulo, the royal palace, and ancient winding lanes.

Santo Onofre

• Caldas da Rainha — Santo Onofre

  phone: +351 262 823 601
  address: Rua 15 de Agosto 27
  (pop. 11,223) This mostly urban civil parish contains the western half of the city of Caldas da Rainha.
  Bairro Além da Ponte, commonly called Bairro da Ponte (Neighbourhood Beyond the Bridge or the Bridge Neighbourhood), is the neighbourhood in Santo Onofre closest to the city centre. It got its start in the late 19th century housing ceramics factory workers.
  Bairro dos Arneiros (Arneiros Neighbourhood, literally "sandy area"), in the city's northwest, began as a complex of social housing and grew beyond its original footprint. Abundant shopping and services make the area a convenient place to live.
  Bairro das Morenas (Morenas Neighbourhood, literally "brunettes" or "dark-skinned"), in the civil parish's southeast, started as a social housing project and grew from there.
  Cidade Nova (New City), in the northeast of the civil parish, is a residential neighborhood surrounded by big-box shopping, the exhibition centre, a viaduct, and the railway.

Municipality

Beyond the two civil parishes in the city, the municipality of Caldas da Rainha contains fourteen civil parish, which are largely rural or coastal. Each parish celebrates its patron saint with a festival, typically centered around the village's small white-washed church. During the summer months, when many immigrants return home to visit family, the parishes hold parties with music, dancing, and food. The parishes usually contain multiple named settlements and are usually named after the most populous one.
To get technical, there are now only twelve civil parishes, following a 2013 national law that merged smaller parishes to save money on administration. The merged parishes are: Nossa Senhora do Pópulo, Coto & São Gregório; Santo Onofre & Serra do Bouro; and Tornada & Salir do Porto. Residents, however, still refer to their pre-merger parishes.
The contact information and coordinates provided below are for the junta de freguesia (parish council).

• A dos Francos

  phone: +351 262 949 534
  address: Ladeira Dona Palmira, A dos Francos
  (pop. 1,701) A dos Francos has town (vila) status. The Capela do Espírito Santo (Chapel of the Holy Spirit) dates from the 12th century.

• Alvorninha

  phone: +351 262 930 548
  address: Rua António Filipe, Alvorninha
  (pop. 2,987) Holds a popular Sunday market, Mercado de Santana.

• Carvalhal Benfeito

  phone: +351 262 927 865
  address: Rua Senhora das Merçês 25, Carvalhal Benfeito
  (pop. 1,279) Mountains, hills, and valleys offer a beautiful panorama of varied landscape.

• Coto

  phone: +351 262 832 729
  (pop. 1,344) Coto is the smallest of the municipality's civil parishes. Sights include the Capela de São Jacinto (Chapel of St. Hyacinth), and the Igreja Paroquial de Nossa Senhora dos Anjos (Parish Church of Our Lady of the Angels).

• Foz do Arelho

  phone: +351 262 979 432
  address: Rua Francisco Almeida Grandella 8P, Foz do Arelho
  (pop. 1,339) Foz do Arelho, which holds town (vila) status, has an ocean beach on the Atlantic and an inland beach on Óbidos Lagoon.

• Landal

  phone: +351 262 949 730
  address: Rua Divino Espírito Santo 2, Landal
  (pop. 1,051) Landal, the Capital da Codorniz (Capital of the Quail), has several chapels in addition to its mother church. There is also a museum dedicated to rural life and another in an old schoolhouse.

• Nadadouro

  phone: +351 262 979 108
  address: Rua do Centro 15, Nadadouro
  (pop. 1,904) Located on Óbidos Lagoon, Nadadouro offers aquatic and camping fun.

• Salir de Matos

  phone: +351 262 877 732
  address: Rua Principal 8, Salir de Matos
  (pop. 2,583)

• Salir do Porto

  phone: +351 262 881 430
  (pop. 797) Although it borders the Atlantic, Salir do Porto has only a riverside beach and no ocean beach.

• Santa Catarina

  phone: +351 262 927 259
  address: Rua Dr. Bertolino Coelho 14, Santa Catarina
  (pop. 3,029) Santa Catarina, which holds town (vila) status, is the Terra de cutelarias (Land of cutlery).

• São Gregório

  phone: +351 262 832 729
  (pop. 955) Named for Pope Gregory I (c. 540 – 604), commonly known as Saint Gregory the Great, São Gregório remains a land of agriculture, producing mainly fruit and wine.

• Serra do Bouro

  phone: +351 262 823 601
  (pop. 703) The least populous civil parish. Its cliffs overlook the Atlantic.

• Tornada

  phone: +351 262 881 430
  address: Largo do Rossio 7A, Tornada
  (pop. 3,561) North of the city. The most populous civil parish outside the city.

• Vidais

  phone: +351 262 930 401
  address: Largo Nossa Senhora da Piedade 1, Vidais
  (pop. 1,155) The economy of this rural community depends on growing fruit and winemaking. Local artisans make wicker baskets.

Climate

Caldas da Rainha experiences a "warm-summer Mediterranean" climate (Köppen climate classification Csb, if you're into that sort of thing), sometimes called "cool-summer Mediterranean". This is the same climate as in Porto, San Francisco and Cape Town, with lower temperatures than those experienced in "hot-summer Mediterranean" cities such as Rome, Los Angeles, or Perth.

Visitor information

• Turismo

  phone: +351 262 240 000
  address: E end of Praça da República (Praça da Fruta)
  In addition to tourism information, this new space includes a shop with regional products and artisanal goods, café–restaurant called Fruta da Casa, and loos (restrooms).

• Caldas da Rainha - City GuideSponsored by the municipal government and developed by Bitcliq, Caldas da Rainha - City Guide is a tour guide on your phone or tablet. The app includes itineraries, sites of interest, and an events calendar. Available for both iOS and Android.

• GoCaldas

  phone: +351 961 481 448
  In partnership with the Câmara Municipal (city council), GoCaldas offers a trove of information useful in planning your visit to Caldas.

By plane

The nearest airport is in Lisbon (LIS), about 85 km (53 mi) south of Caldas da Rainha. There are several options to reach Caldas from Lisbon Airport:

• Drive. Upon exiting the airport, follow the signs to A8 OESTE. (See the "By car" section for more info.)
• Rodoviária do Oeste's Rápida Verde bus service. Take the Lisbon Metro Red Line (Linha Vermelha) from Aeroporto station and transfer at Alameda station to the Green Line (Linha Verde) to Campo Grande station or at Saldanha station to the Yellow Line (Linha Amarela) to Campo Grande station. (See the "By bus" section for more info.)
• Rede Nacional de Expressos (Rede Expressos) express bus service. Take the Lisbon Metro Red Line (Linha Vermelha) from Aeroporto station and transfer at S. Sebastião station to the Blue Line (Linha Azul) to Jardim Zoológico station, near the Sete Rios bus terminal. Aerobus Line 2 also travels between the airport and Sete Rios. (See the "By bus" section for more info.)
• Comboios de Portugal rail service on Linha do Oeste (Western Line). The station nearest the airport for all direct (and most indirect) service to Caldas is Entrecampos. Take the Lisbon Metro Red Line (Linha Vermelha) from Aeroporto station and transfer at Saldanha station to the Yellow Line (Linha Amarela) to Entrecampos station. Aerobus Lines 1 and 2 also travel between the airport and Entrecampos. (See the "By train" section for more info.)
• Taxi will cost €90–100.

By car

Caldas da Rainha is served by two autoestradas (motorways or expressways):

• A8 (Autoestrada do Oeste) runs south to Lisbon via Óbidos, Bombarral, Torres Vedras, and Loures; and north to Leiria via Valado dos Frades (for Alcobaça and Nazaré) and Marinha Grande.

• Exit 17, at km 77.68, for Gaeiras (Óbidos), provides an approach via N8 to the southernmost areas of the city.
• Exit 18, at km 81.435, for Caldas da Rainha, leaves you on N360. It is convenient to most of the city and to Foz do Arelho via the older Estrada da Foz.
• Exit 19, at km 82.834, for Caldas da Rainha / Zona Industrial, which puts you on Avenida Atlântica, is best for northern areas of the city and for Foz do Arelho via the newer Variante Atlântica. Bus companies prefer exit 19 over exit 18, as it offers less congested routes into the city centre.
• Exit 20, at km 86.346, for Tornada, leaves you on N8 a few km north of the city.

A15 runs from A8 east to Rio Maior and Santarém, serving several of Caldas's rural civil parishes.

• Exit 2, at km 4.009, for A dos Negros (Óbidos), also serves Caldas's rural civil parish of São Gregório on N115.
• Exit 3, at km 12.914, for A dos Francos, is actually in a corner of Vidais.

Several national roads (estradas nacionais), which are not grade separated, serve the city and municipality:

• N8 (EN 8), once the main highway of the region, runs right through the centre of town. It runs south to Torres Vedras and Loures, a suburb of Lisbon; and north to Alcobaça.
• N114 (EN 114) goes west to Óbidos and Peniche; and east to Rio Maior, Santarém, Almeirim, Montemor-o-Novo, and Évora.
• N114-1 (EN 114-1) connects the city centre to N114 to the east.
• N115 (EN 115), runs south to Cadaval and Loures.
• N360 (EN 360) runs from Foz do Arelho in the municipality's extreme west, through the city, and east to Benedita in Alcobaça municipality.
• N361 (EN 361) runs from Landal and A dos Francos, in the municipality's southeast corner, west to Cadaval, Bombarral, and Lourinhã; and east to Rio Maior.

Routes (itinerários) run over several numbered motorways and roads, rather than being their own roads, at least those which serve Caldas.

• IP 6 is a principal route (itinerário principal), which includes A15. The route stretches from Peniche and Óbidos, paralleling N114, then over a small stretch of A8, then via A15 to Santarém and on to Torres Novas, Abrantes, and Castelo Branco.
• IC 1 is a complementary route (itinerário complementar), which includes A8. South of Caldas, the route goes to Torres Vedras, Lisbon, Marateca, Alcácer do Sal, Grândola, Ourique, and Guia. North of Caldas, the route runs to Leiria, Figueira da Foz, Aveiro, Ovar, Espinho, Porto, Póvoa de Varzim, Viana do Castelo, and Valença.

By bus

• Terminal Rodoviário

  address: Rua Coronel Soeiro de Brito, 35
  A bus terminal in the city centre, serving all out-of-town bus routes. For various trips, such as to Lisbon, the bus is often faster than the train.

• Rede Nacional de Expressos

  phone: +351 707 22 33 44
  This national coach company offers express service to several cities, including Lisbon (at the Sete Rios bus terminal; €8.70, 1 hr 10 min), Porto (€18.50, 3 hr 30 min – 4 hr 10 min), Peniche (€6, 30 min), Nazaré (€6, 40 min), Alcobaça (€7, 25 – 55 min), Leiria (€7, 35 min – 1 hr 25 min), Coimbra (€14, 1 hr 35 min – 2 hr 40 min), and Aveiro (€16, 2 hr – 3 hr 20 min).

• Rodoviária do Oeste

  phone: +351 707 200 334
  This regional coach company, formerly part of Rodoviária do Tejo, provides service to nearby cities, towns, and villages in the Oeste region. RDO also offers frequent service on the Rápida Verde (Green Rapid) to Óbidos (15 min), Bombarral (30 min), and Lisbon (at Campo Grande, 1 hr 15 min, adults €7.80, children 4–12 years €3.90, children under 4 years free, 65+ years €6.25, youth/student card €6.65, monthly passes and multi-ticket discounts are available). On weekdays, the Green Rapid has 28 round trips, with rush-hour peak-direction trips running every 15 min. Weekend and holiday service consists of 11 round trips. At Campo Grande, boarding is outside the bus terminal, on Rua Actor António Silva (east of the metro and bus stations, across from some apartment buildings).

• Rodoviária do Tejo

  phone: +351 707 200 334
  This regional coach company offers a "Rápida Rosa" (Pink Rapid) service to São Martinho do Porto (20 min), Nazaré (32 min), Leiria (1 hr 5 min, adults €7, same-day round trip €10, children 4–12 years €3.50, children under 4 years free, 6 prepaid tickets €24, monthly pass €122.80), and points in between, with 4 round trips each day M–F. The "Rápida Amarela" (Yellow Rapid) service to Rio Maior (25 min) and Santarém (55 min) runs 2 round trips each day M–F.

• Rede RoCaldas

  phone: +351 707 200 334
  Rede RoCaldas, operated by Rodoviária do Oeste, provides service to rural communities within Caldas da Rainha municipality. Twenty-two routes connect the city of Caldas to outlying villages. Five routes connect A dos Francos to its surrounding communities, and three routes operate from Santa Catarina to its environs.

By train

• Estação Ferroviária

  address: at the western end of Avenida Primeiro de Maio
  While awaiting your train, enjoy the beautiful tiled walls, showing motifs of local life and history.

• Comboios de Portugal

  phone: +351 707 210 220
  Multiple daily regional and inter-regional trains (PDF schedule) connect Caldas da Rainha to other locations along Portugal's west coast on the Linha do Oeste (Western Line), including Lisbon (at Sete Rios: €8.65, 2 hr 5 min – 2 hr 14 min; at Entrecampos: €8.75, 2 hr 8 min – 2 hr 17 min; or at Santa Apolónia: €9.05, 2 hr 19 min – 2 hr 26 min), Torres Vedras (€4, 42–50 min), Leiria (€5.15–5.70, 44–59 min), Coimbra (€12.65, 2 hr 9 min – 2 hr 40 min), and points in between. As of August 2018, CP no longer offers direct service to Coimbra. The northern terminus is Amieira. All trains serving Caldas now terminate here, though connecting services run within minutes, possibly on the same train. Old infrastructure and meandering to avoid hills mean that the train is usually slower than the bus, especially to Lisbon.

On foot

Caldas da Rainha is a compact city. Most locations of interest are within 10–15 min walking distance. Although Caldas is in a hilly region, most of the hills within the city are manageable by people of moderate fitness. In the city centre, sidewalks tend to be very narrow, sometimes close to nonexistent.
The city centre offers several car-free streets, usually with shopping opportunities, including Rua Almirante Cândido Reis (Rua das Montras), Rua Alexandre Herculano (Rua do Jardim), Rua da Liberdade, Praça 5 de Outubro (Antiga Praça do Peixe), and a block of Rua Miguel Bombarda.

By bus

• TOMA

  phone: +351 262 240 000
  The local bus service operates every 30–35 min on three lines, all of which serve the city centre.
  Linha Azul (Blue Line, a two-way route) serves northern and eastern neighbourhoods.
  Linha Laranja (Orange Line, a one-way figure-8 loop) serves western areas.
  Linha Verde (Green Line, a one-way figure-8 loop) goes to southern parts.

By taxi

Taxis in Caldas da Rainha have a creamy beige color. Other jurisdictions may have black taxis with a minty green roof. There are two taxi stands in the city and two elsewhere in the municipality. If you are not near one, call the number for the nearest one, and the next available taxi will come pick you up.

• Rua Engenheiro Duarte Pacheco taxi stand

  phone: +351 262 831 098

• Praça da República taxi stand

  phone: +351 262 832 455

• Praça de Táxis da Foz do Arelho

  phone: +351 919 304 824
  address: Avenida do Mar

• Praça de Táxis de Tornada

  phone: +351 917 211 560
  address: Rua dos Choupos

By car

Driving in Caldas is not recommended. The central areas of the city have many narrow one-way streets. On-street parking is difficult to find near popular destinations. Given the compact nature of the city and the proximity of the sights, it is easier to park for the duration of your visit and get around on foot or on TOMA.
The city of Caldas does not have any traffic lights. Intersections are controlled with stop signs (with STOP written in English) or by roundabouts (traffic circles). You will find traffic lights in some of the rural civil parishes, where they are used to slow down cars as they pass through populated areas of the villages. The red lights are often triggered by speed or vehicle presence sensors.
In addition to various open-air parking lots (some free of charge), the city has three centrally located paid underground garages:

• Praça 25 de Abril ParkingNear Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Pópulo (newer church), city hall, the courthouse, the bus station, and shopping.

• Praça 5 de Outubro ParkingNear restaurants, bars, and shopping.

• Centro Cultural e de Congressos ParkingAt the cultural and conference centre.

Museums

• Casa Museu São Rafael

  phone: +351 262 839 380
  address: Rua Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro, 53
  This museum is dedicated to the ceramic works produced by the Rafael Bordallo Pinheiro factory next door, including some original pieces by Bordallo Pinheiro himself from the late 19th century.

• Centro de Artes

  phone: +351 262 840 540
  address: Rua Dr. Ilídio Amado
  The Arts Centre is a collection of several museums, largely dedicated to sculpture, but also including paintings. Guided tours are available by appointment.

• Atelier-Museu António DuarteInaugurated in 1985 after master sculptor António Duarte (1912–1988) donated his collection to his hometown of Caldas.

• Atelier-Museu João FragosoOpened in 1994 to display the works of sculptor João Fragoso (1913–2000).

• Museu Barata FeyoDedicated to the work of 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 AlmeidaInaugurated on 15 May 2017, this museum features the works of Leopoldo Neves de Almeida (18 October 1898 – 28 April 1975). Almeida is best known for the Monument to the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos) in Lisbon.

• Espaço da ConcasThis space displays the works of Maria da Conceição Nunes, known as Concas (1946–1991). Donated by the artist's family, the paintings span from her 1960s work in Mozambique, through her fine arts studies in Lisbon, and to the work she completed on the eve of her death.

Museu da Cerâmica

phone: +351 262 840 280

address: Rua Dr. Ilídio Amado, 97

Situated in a late Romantic manor house, the Ceramics Museum displays a wide collection from Caldas, from around Portugal, and from other places on the globe. The museum holds pottery pieces from the 17th through early 20th centuries, with emphasis on local artist Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro. The collection also includes tiles and tile panels.

Museu do Ciclismo

phone: +351 262 240 000

address: Rua de Camões, 57

This small museum is dedicated to cycling. In addition to displays about the history of cycling, several historical bicycles are on display.

Museu do Hospital e das Caldas

phone: +351 262 830 300

address: Rua Rodrigo Berquó

Housed in a former royal palace, this museum presents the history of the thermal hospital and of the city of Caldas.

Museu José Malhoa

phone: +351 262 831 984

address: Parque D. Carlos I

This small yet intriguing museum displays painting and sculpture from the 19th and 20th centuries, with emphasis on Portuguese naturalism and the works of José Malhoa (1855–1933). The collection includes pieces by Raphael Bordallo Pinheiro, including the evocative sixty-sculpture set Passion of Christ. You won't find famous works here, but many pieces are worthy of hanging on the walls of the world's finest museums. Worth a visit. Don't miss the bas-relief figures on the façade of this building that was Portugal's first purpose-built museum. A handheld English audioguide is available.

Churches

• Ermida do Espírito Santo

  address: Largo João de Deus
  Mannerist and baroque chapel, originally from the 16th century and rebuilt in the 18th century.

• Ermida de São Sebastião

  address: NE corner of Praça da República (Praça da Fruta)
  Sixteenth-century mannerist and baroque chapel.

• Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição

  phone: +351 262 832 029
  address: Hemiciclo João Paulo II, 14
  Modern church built in 1950 to handle the city's growing population. Mostly bright white except for some low-lying tiles.

• Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Pópulo

  address: Largo da Copa
  Built in 1500 as the royal chapel associated with the thermal hospital, this church features Late Gothic, Manueline, and Mudéjar styles. At the behest of Queen Leonor, Pope Julius II elevated the chapel to mother church of Caldas. The interior is lined with tiles, including original Hispano-Arab tiles on the side altars. The Passion triptych over the triumphal arch has drawn the interest of art historians. The church has been a National Monument, the only one in Caldas, since 1910.

Outdoors and architecture

• Art Nouveau ArchitectureCaldas da Rainha is home to many fine examples of Art Nouveau buildings in the city centre. This style was popular worldwide between 1890 and 1910, but it flourished in Portugal from 1905 to 1920. You can identify Art Nouveau by its beautiful tile façades, ornate wrought iron embellishments, and decorative stonework. Below are just a few of these lovely buildings. Walk around the area and you'll find many more gems.

• Largo Dr. José Barbosa, 19Slim four-storey building with brick-like tiles in royal blue and cyan. One of Caldas' best.

• Rua Miguel Bombarda, 34–36Blue and white leafy tiles with green and orange accents. Lovely windows and balconies. An excellent example of the genre.

• Rua Miguel Bombarda, 35–39Glazed green tiles with tulip motif.

• Rua Miguel Bombarda, 45–47Dark red glazed tiles and beautiful wrought iron balconies.

• Rua de Camões, 41The bright green tiles include lettering touting the baked goods inside.

• Rua Almirante Cândido dos Reis (Rua das Montras), 34Leafy tiles, ornate stonework, and plaques of ceramicists Raphael Bordallo Pinheiro and Bernard Palissy.

• Rua Alexandre Herculano (Rua do Jardim), 53Dark green tiles with floral motif.

• Rua Capitão Filipe de Sousa, 52Dark green glazed brick tiles with floral and leaf trim in white, green, blue, and pink.

Chafariz das Cinco Bicas

address: Rua Diário de Notícias

Built in 1749, this baroque fountain is noted for its five spigots.

Hospital Termal Rainha D. Leonor

phone: +351 262 830 300

address: Largo Rainha Dona Leonor

The raison d'être of Caldas da Rainha, the thermal hospital was founded by Queen Leonor after experiencing the healing properties of the sulfurous waters on this site. The older building was begun in 1485, and the newer one 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, particularly sulphur, and are prescribed to treat such ailments as arthritis, rheumatism, gout, sinusitis, rhinitis, laryngitis, bronchitis, and asthma.

Jardim da ÁguaA whimsical "garden" with water features, accented with tiles and towering sculptures.

Parque Dom Carlos IThis delightful, centrally located park is the main green space in Caldas da Rainha. The paths through the flowerbeds and trees make for a pleasant walk. The Museu José Malhoa sits in the middle of the park. Visitors can rent a rowboat to circumnavigate the small lake surrounding a petite island. The boathouse is now used for small art exhibitions, as is the Céu de Vidro, a skylight-covered alleyway between two old building connecting the park to the thermal hospital. The park contains numerous statues and sculptures, some of historical figures, others more whimsical and fun. The Pavilhões do Parque are several interconnected structures that have served various purposes in the past. These lovely buildings, which serve as a sort of emblem of the park, have unfortunately been allowed to degrade and are on the verge of ruin. Their beauty, however, is still evident, and their reflection on the lake makes for a popular photo opportunity. The park's amenities include a playground, picnic area, tennis courts, and restrooms. The park is named for the king who reigned Portugal from 19 October 1889 until his assassination at the age of 44 on 1 February 1908.

Rota Bordalliana

address: throughout the city centre

This collection of 20 ceramic art works inspired by Raphael Bordallo Pinheiro are spread throughout the city centre. The human figures are about life size, while the animals and plants are mostly larger than life.

Statue of Queen Leonor

address: Largo Conde de Fontalva (Largo da Rainha)

The Queen stands regally in a traffic circle, facing the park and welcoming visitors to the city centre.

Culture

• Centro Cultural e de Congressos

  phone: +351 262 094 081 or +351 262 889 650
  address: Rua Dr. Leonel Sotto Mayor
  The main performing arts centre in Caldas da Rainha hosts music, theatre, and dance events, as well as conferences and exhibitions.

• Cineplace

  address: Rua Belchior de Matos, 11
  The only full-time cinema in Caldas.

• Encosta da Quinta/Quinta do Paço

  phone: +351 917 276 053
  address: Quinta do Paço, Alvorninha
  Make an appointment to visit this winery and its vineyards. Tastings are available.

• Expoeste

  phone: +351 262 832 321
  address: Av. Infante D. Henrique
  Caldas da Rainha's main exhibition centre hosts a variety of events including car shows, bridal expos, animal exhibitions, toy fairs and holiday parties.

• Pimpões - Sociedade de Instrução e Recreio

  phone: +351 262 877 740
  address: Rua Fernando Correia
  Private club offering recreational and cultural activities.

• Teatro da Rainha

  phone: +351 262 823 302
  address: Rua Vitorino Fróis / Largo da Universidade, Edifício 2
  Theatre troupe that puts on several productions each year.

Sport and outdoors

• Bowling Caldas

  phone: +351 262 824 348
  address: Avenida Vasco da Gama, 77
  Bowl. Drink. Eat. Repeat. Ten lanes plus snooker, video games, and Thursday karaoke.

• Bullfighting

  address: Praça de Touros
  Although controversial among even the Portuguese themselves, bullfighting continues to be a popular spectator sport in this country. The bullring in Caldas hosts several bullfights each year. As mild consolation, the bull is not killed in the ring within the sight of spectators. The arena also hosts concerts and other spectacles.

• Caldas Sport Clube

  phone: +351 262 832 918
  address: Campo da Mata
  Come cheer the local football (soccer) team. Once in the top division, Caldas now plays in Portugal's third division, confusingly called Campeonato de Portugal. The club celebrates its centennial in 2016.

• Escola de Vela da Lagoa

  phone: +351 262 978 592
  address: Rua do Penedo Furado, Nadadouro
  Learn windsurfing, kitesurfing, catamaran and optimist sailing, stand-up-paddle, canoeing, wakeboarding and water skiing on Óbidos Lagoon.

• Praias de Foz do ArelhoThe two closest beaches to Caldas da Rainha, 10 km from the city centre. One faces the Atlantic Ocean, and other is on the calmer Lagoa de Óbidos. Both beaches have earned the Blue Flag (Bandeira Azul) from the Foundation for Environmental Education and its Portuguese branch, Associação Bandeira Azul da Europa. The criteria for Blue Flag beaches cover four main areas: water quality; environmental information and education; environmental management; and safety and services.

• Indoor Karting Caldas da Rainha

  phone: +351 262 084 912
  address: Rua João Reis, 16A
  Indoor go-karting on a 315 m track.

• Salir do PortoThe calm waters of this riverside beach near an enclosed bay make Salir do Porto a popular beach destination for families with young children.

Events

There'a always something going on in Caldas. In addition to the events listed below, make sure to keep an eye on the Centro Cultural e de Congressos (CCC), Expoeste, the Escola Superior de Arte e Design (ESAD.CR), the museums, and the event listings in the local papers.

Holidays

• Ano Novo

  address: Praça da República (Praça da Fruta)
  Welcome the new year with music and fireworks in the main square.

• Carnaval

  address: Avenida Primeiro (1º) de Maio, Praça 25 de Abril, Avenida da Independência Nacional
  Traditionally, Carnaval celebrated one last hurrah and a huge party before the long Lenten season of repentance that precedes Easter, Christianity's most important holiday. Nowadays, Carnaval in Portugal takes on a more secular aspect, with little attention paid to religion. Festivities begin several days before, with a party for the aged and a children's parade. Celebrations culminate in a grand parade with costumed revelers and floats along Avenida Primeiro de Maio, the wide avenue that connects the railway station to the city hall. Young and old dress up, some preferring to make a political statement, others honoring the latest Marvel superhero or Disney princess, or dressing as fruits and vegetables.

• Municipal HolidayOn May 15th, Caldas da Rainha celebrates itself. Music, fireworks, and the inauguration of civic works mark the occasion.

• Nossa Senhora da ConceiçãoCaldenses honor Our Lady of the Conception each year on August 15 with a funfair, circus, rides, and food.

Arts and culture

• Caldas AnimaIn July and August, the city holds numerous events under the Caldas Anima banner: magic, theatre, circus, music, film, festivals and fairs.

• Caldas Late Night

  address: throughout the city
  Late May brings Caldas Late Night, a two-day celebration of music, art, performance, multimedia, and design.

• Caldas Nice Jazz

  phone: +351 262 094 081 or +351 262 889 650
  Late October and early November bring Caldas Nice Jazz, an international festival, with concerts both at the Cultural and Conference Centre (CCC) and at other venues in the city, including outdoors.

• Festival Ofélia – Festival de Teatro e Artes PerformativasTheatre students from the Escola Superior de Arte e Design (ESAD.CR), along with students from other Portuguese and international schools, celebrate the performing arts. Since its first edition in 2011, the audiences have grown ever larger.

• SIMPPETRA - International Stone Sculpture SymposiumA biennial gathering of sculptors at the Arts Centre in July or August. Sculptors create works that become municipal property, to be displayed permanently in public places throughout city and municipality. The artists are selected via application and are compensated for their work and travel expenses.

Food and agriculture

• Caldas Street Food Fest

  phone: +351 914 512 247
  address: Avenida Primeiro (1º) de Maio
  2018 brings Caldas' fourth annual street food festival from December 6 to 9. Come enjoy some delicious treats al fresco and in the shadow of the city's gigantic Christmas tree.

• Expotur - Festa de Verão / TasquinhasAn annual 10-day celebration of Summer in early to mid August at the Expoeste exhibition centre. Visitors taste foods from throughout the communities in Caldas da Rainha municipality and watch folk dancers in traditional costumes.

• Frutos, Feira Nacional de Hortofruticultura

  phone: +351 262 839 724
  address: Parque D. Carlos I
  17–26 August 2018, Caldas celebrates fruits in the park. Food and drink abound. Musical entertainment nightly at 22:00. There will be 200 exhibitors and over a dozen restaurants, bars, wineries, traditional Portuguese smoked meats and charcuterie. There will also be entertainment throughout the city during this event.

• Oeste Lusitano

  address: Parque D. Carlos I
  19–21 May 2017. Come see the pure blood Lusitano horses.

• The English Centre

  phone: +351 262 842 924
  address: Centro Comercial D. Carlos I, Rua Heróis da Grande Guerra 89
  This school offers courses in Portuguese for foreigners, as well as English and Spanish.

With more than 600 commercial establishments, Caldas da Rainha calls itself the "Capital of Traditional Commerce" and offers many shopping opportunities. The centre of town has several streets lined with stores, many of which are mom-and-pop shops and boutiques, with a smattering of chains. Main shopping streets include Rua Heróis da Grande Guerra, Rua Almirante Cândido dos Reis (Rua das Montras), Rua Capitão Filipe de Sousa, Rua Miguel Bombarda, Rua da Liberdade, Rua de Camões, and surrounding streets.
If you're looking for a souvenir of Caldas, you should buy some of the famous local ceramic pottery. The factory of Raphael Bordallo Pinheiro produces useful and decorative pieces. For those who enjoy naughtier mementos, Caldas is noted for its ceramic phalluses, which like the real thing come in various sizes and can be found all over town.
Caldas has a tradition of embroidery (bordado) of molasses brown thread on white linen. Legend holds that Queen Leonor's handmaidens, seeing the monarch without her usual brilliance after selling off her jewellery, embroidered her cloak so that it appeared to have golden threads. Common themes include arachnids, spirals, angles, birds, hearts, crowns, and shrimp nets.
If you're on a tight budget or enjoy bargain hunting, head for one of Caldas's several Chinese-immigrant-owned shops (lojas chinesas). Merchandise at these cheap stores includes housewares, small appliances, cleaning supplies, clothing, toys, decor, and more. The emphasis is on price, not quality. Don't expect familiar brands.

Malls and Markets

• Centro Comercial D. Carlos I

  address: Rua Dr. Carlos Manuel Saudade e Silva
  This two-storey shopping centre is located smack-dab in the heart of the city. The centre is dominated by small businesses. You'll often find yourself attended to by the owner.

• Feira Semanal

  address: Rua Diário de Notícias
  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.

• Praça da República / Praça da FrutaCaldas da Rainha's main square, located in the centre of town, hosts Portugal's only remaining daily outdoor farmers' market. In addition to fresh fruits and vegetables, you can buy bread, cheese, flowers, and Caldas's famous pottery. The most typical of local produce is the pêra rocha (rock pear).

• La Vie Caldas da Rainha Shopping Center

  phone: +351 262 870 020
  address: Rua Belchior de Matos 11
  The largest mall in Caldas da Rainha has four floors and 60 shops and services, including clothing stores, a large appliance and electronics store, and a supermarket. The centre includes a food court with 15 restaurants and a five-screen cinema. The 440-space garage offers 2 hours of free parking.

Clothing

• Executiva

  phone: +351 262 832 054
  address: Rua Miguel Bombarda, 2
  Fine ladies wear for work or festivities.

• Ramiro

  phone: +351 262 832 298
  address: Rua Heróis da Grande Guerra, 57
  In business since 1952 and now owned by the founder's son, Ramiro offers ready-to-wear and made-to-measure men's clothing. Products on offer include suits, shirts, ties, hats, and overcoats.

• Rosan Jeans

  phone: +351 262 835 773
  address: Rua Alexandre Herculano (Rua do Jardim) 9
  Like the name says: jeans. They carry Levi's, Lee, Wrangler, No Excess, and Timezone, among other brands.

• Sportino Megastore

  phone: +351 262 832 267
  address: Rua Heróis da Grande Guerra, 123 & 125
  This local sportswear chain was founded in Bombarral in 1982. They carry international brand names—like Adidas, Levi's, Nike, Puma, Timberland—as well as new names to explore. Their forte is footwear, but you'll find clothing and accessories here as well.

• Sublime

  phone: +351 262 832 054
  address: Rua Heróis da Grande Guerra, 87
  Fine underwear for men and women.

Gifts and Other

• Artemis

  phone: +351 262 823 570
  address: Rua Heróis Grande Guerra, 163
  Fine gifts, including Portuguese brands Atlantis Crystal and Vista Alegre porcelains. Artemis also carries various quality pen brands.

• Bordallo Pinheiro Factory Store & Outlet

  phone: +351 262 880 568
  address: Rua Rafael Bordallo Pinheiro, 53
  You can find Raphael Bordallo Pinheiro's (1846–1905) ceramic creations all over the world. But what better place to buy your decorative and useful fruit-, vegetable-, plant-, and animal-shaped wares than at the source? The most popular design might be the cabbage-shaped soup tureen. The Golden Girls had one proudly displayed in their kitchen.

• Livraria Alfarrabista Liliana Queiroz

  phone: +351 262 824 654
  address: Rua Tenente Sangreman Henriques, 34
  This bookshop carries rare, old, and used books. Beyond pricy tomes, the shop carries a large selection of books for €2.50.

• Mercearia Pena

  phone: +351 262 832 580
  address: Rua Heróis da Grande Guerra, 51
  More than just a grocery store, Mercearia Pena has been selling quality traditional Portuguese foodstuffs since 1909. Especially noted for its home-ground coffee, the small shop also carries cod, sausages, cheese, spices, cookies, dried legumes and fruits, and more.

• Sufoz Action Sports

  phone: +351 262 833 732
  address: Rua Victorino Fróis, 44A
  For your surfing, skating, bodyboard, BMX, and other action sports needs.

If you have a sweet tooth, don't miss out on cavacas das Caldas. These sugar-encrusted confections are the approximate size and shape of a small bowl. They can be found throughout the city, but especially on Rua da Liberdade and in the farmers' market. They come in a smaller spherical version called beijinhos das Caldas. Other treats include trouxas de ovos (sweet poached eggs), lampreias de ovos (egg lampreys), and pão-de-ló do Landal (Landal sponge cake). Savory dishes typical of Caldas include ensopado de enguias da lagoa (stewed lagoon eels), bacalhau à lagareiro (cod in olive oil), polvo à lagareiro (octopus in olive oil), and fatias de carne frita à moda do Landal (Landal-style sliced fried meat).

Restaurants

Budget

• A Lanterna

  phone: +351 262 824 301
  address: Rua Alexandre Herculano (Rua do Jardim), 78
  Popular with locals from all walks of life, A Lanterna serves hearty Portuguese comfort food at prices that won't break the bank. On Thursdays, they offer the flavours of Angola, a former Portuguese colony in Africa.

• La Piazza Pizzaria

  phone: +351 262 834 426
  address: Praça 5 de Outubro (Antiga Praça do Peixe), 14A
  La Piazza offers a variety of pastas, including several preparations of penne, tagliatelle, tortellini, strozzapreti, and spaghetti. They also have several different salads. And with a name like that, they have pizza, of course—thirty different kinds in four sizes: 24 cm (9.4 in.), 31 cm (12.2 in.), 36 cm (14.2 in.), 50 cm (19.7 in.). You can eat indoors, but if it's a nice day out, you'll want to sit in the plaza that gives the restaurant its name.

• Pizzeria Novo Mundo

  phone: +351 262 842 969
  address: Rua da Praça de Touros, 25B
  Be adventurous and try a Portuguese take on pizza. While the menu does include some tamer pizzas, consider the Pizza Tropical (mushrooms, peach, pineapple, corn, and banana) or the Pizza Vegetariana, Atum e Ovo (vegetables, mushroom, tuna, and egg). They deliver.

• TBAC - The Bread and Coffee

  phone: +351 262 831 062
  address: Rua Coronel Soeiro de Brito, 34-A
  Quirky fast food, ice cream, coffee, and more.

Mid-range

• Adega do Albertino

  phone: +351 262 835 152
  address: Rua Júlio Sousa, 7; Imaginário
  Traditional Portuguese cuisine in a rustic country setting.

• Bella Milano

  phone: +351 262 835 440
  address: Rua Dr. Francisco Sá Carneiro, 11
  Excellent and affordable Italian cuisine in Bairro Azul. The extensive menu offers a variety of pizza, pasta, salad, and desserts

• A Capelinha do Monte

  phone: +351 262 832 031
  address: Praça 5 de Outubro (Antiga Praça do Peixe), 22
  Homey traditional Portuguese food, with an emphasis on steak.

• Cervejaria Camaroeiro Real

  phone: +351 262 834 470
  address: Travessa de Santo António 1
  This beer hall specializes in traditional Portuguese cuisine, with an emphasis on shrimp, fish, and beef. They've served the heart of Caldas since 1968 on a narrow lane a block from the farmers' market.

• Delhi Darbar

  phone: +351 262 104 526
  address: Rua General Amilcar Mota, 21, R/C
  Indian cuisine in a colorful setting. The extensive menu lists over 150 items, including many vegetarian options.

• Lily Cake

  phone: +351 913 759 545
  address: Rua Cambo-les-Bains 5
  The perfect spot for homesick Brits. Lily Cake offers full English breakfast, afternoon tea, and pastries of both Great Britain and Portugal.

• Meia Tigela

  phone: +351 262 833 173
  address: Hemiciclo João Paulo II, 9A (ground floor of Hotel Dona Leonor)
  Portuguese, continental, and international cuisine among reclaimed wood, salvaged furniture, and homemade art. Menu posted daily on Facebook.

• A Mimosa

  phone: +351 262 832 735
  address: Praça 5 de Outubro (Antiga Praça do Peixe), 37
  Typical Portuguese cooking, specializing in fish. In business since 1961.

• Restaurante Tijuca

  phone: +351 262 824 255
  address: Rua de Camões, 89
  Tucked away below street level at a corner on the plaza with the thermal hospital, Tijuca offers unpretentious and tasty fare in a cozy, convivial atmosphere. The efficient hostess/waitress(/owner?) flits from table to table, making recommendations and taking orders in several languages.

Splurge

• A Lareira

  phone: +351 262 823 432
  address: Rua da Lareira, 35; Alto do Nobre, Nadadouro
  Portuguese and international cuisine.

• Maratona

  phone: +351 262 841 483
  address: Praça 25 de Abril, 15
  International and traditional Portuguese cuisine, with a selection of vegetarian dishes.

• Sabores d'Italia

  phone: +351 262 845 600
  address: Praça 5 de Outubro (Antiga Praça do Peixe), 40
  Possibly the most upmarket restaurant in Caldas, Sabores d'Italia serves as genuine Italian cuisine as you are likely to find in Portugal.

Supermarkets

Whether to stock up your pantry during an extended stay or just to see what the typical Portuguese buys during their weekly grocery shopping, you should stop by a supermercado (supermarket) during your visit. Some larger stores that carry merchandise beyond basic groceries are referred to as hipermercados (hypermarkets).

• Aldi

  address: Avenida Timor Lorosae
  This German chain is known for low prices, prevalence of house brands rather than internationally-recognized brand names, and spartan decor.

• Continente Modelo

  phone: +351 262 840 870
  address: Rua Bernardino António Carvalho Pargana
  Portuguese hypermarket located near the edge of town. Great variety, including separate health and beauty aids shop and dry cleaning within the building.

• E.Leclerc

  phone: +351 262 870 130
  address: Quinta do Salgado
  French hypermarket chain. Can't make it to Paris? You'll feel like you're there. (OK, not really, but the store brand labels include French as well as Portuguese and other European languages.)

• Intermarché

  phone: +351 262 889 130
  address: Quinta dos Pinheiros, Edificio Intermarché, Lote 1
  Recently renovated branch of French supermarket. This large store on the outskirts of town is well stocked.

• Lidl

  address: Rua Dr. Bernardino António Carvalho Pargana
  A spartan German chain known for low prices and stocking more house brands than famous ones. Sparse interior, but recently remodeled.

• Meu Super

  phone: +351 262 978 300
  address: Rua das Hortas, 25, Foz do Arelho
  Owned by the same parent company as the larger Continente Modelo.

• MinipreçoPortuguese arm of Spanish hard discounter. You'll find brand names as well as the house brand Dia.

• Minipreço I (Urbana)

  phone: +351 808 200 795
  address: Rua Engº Duarte Pacheco 5
  The smaller city-centre location. Includes butcher, produce, and bakery.

• Minipreço II (Parking)

  phone: +351 808 200 795
  address: Avenida Timor Lorosae
  Larger location in Santo Onofre, including a carpark. Includes produce, bakery, and prepackaged meats.

Auchan

phone: +351 262 249 200

address: Av. D. Manuel Figueira Freire da Câmara

A French-owned chain on the edge of the city centre. A leading Portuguese consumer magazine says Auchan has the lowest prices in town.

Pingo DoceQuintessential Portuguese supermarket (despite minority stake owned by a Dutch firm). Their house brand is known for good quality and value.

• Pingo Doce - Heróis Da G. Guerra

  phone: +351 262 845 399
  address: Rua Heróis da Grande Guerra, 95
  This small city-centre location still manages to pack in a lot of food and other supermarket essentials.

• Pingo Doce - Vitorino Fróis

  phone: +351 262 841 641
  address: Rua Vitorino Fróis (Rua da Estrada da Foz)
  Larger location in Santo Onofre.

• Pingo Doce - Tornada

  phone: +351 262 839 610
  address: Estrada da Tornada (N8 road)
  "Mega" location, north of the city.

• Bar 120

  phone: +351 262 831 562
  address: Praça 5 de Outubro (Antiga Praça do Peixe), 33
  Bar 120 specializes in gin and tostas (toasted sandwiches, a sort of Portuguese panini). Outdoor seating allows guests to enjoy one of Caldas's pleasant plazas.

• Café Central

  phone: +351 262 838 787
  address: Praça da Republica (Praça da Fruta) 69-71
  Founded in the 18th century, this café on the city's main square serves a variety of light meals and desserts, as well as coffee and tea.

• Coffee Nuts

  phone: +351 926 527 773
  address: Rua Alexandre Herculano (Rua do Jardim), 38
  Sit and enjoy your coffee and pastry, or grab and go. Lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos, and hot chocolate are complemented by doughnuts, bagels and muffins.

• Daiquiri Bar

  phone: +351 262 842 069
  address: Praça 5 de Outubro (Antiga Praça do Peixe), 5
  Another popular nightlife joint on Praça 5 de Outubro. Enjoy your beverage al fresco in the outdoor esplanade.

• Démondé

  phone: +351 914 541 921
  address: Rua Filinto Elísio, 34B
  Accompany your beer or shots with DJs playing indie, electronic, funk, and rock.

• Pastelaria Baía

  phone: +351 262 832 349
  address: Rua da Liberdade 33
  "The King of Cavacas" (and other regional sweets) sits on the plaza of the thermal hospital. Grab a coffee, a pastry, and an outside table to relax and watch.

• Raízes

  phone: +351 262 836 184
  address: Parque D. Carlos I (off Rua de Camões)
  Kill two birds with one stone: enjoy your coffee and a pastry while communing with nature in Caldas's main park. With 60 seats inside and 180 outdoors, you're likely to find a roomy space.

• Caldas Internacional Hotel

  phone: +351 262 830 500
  address: Rua Dr. Artur Figueirôa Rego, 45
  Three-star hotel at the northern approach to the city. Facilities include bar, restaurant, hot tub, swimming pool, and gym. Breakfast included in room rates.

• Hotel Cristal Caldas

  phone: +351 262 840 260
  address: Rua António Sérgio, 31
  This three-star, 113-room hotel is located near the city centre, just a block north of the courthouse. Amenities include the Mestre Bordalo restaurant, a piano bar, swimming pool, meeting rooms, and conference facilities.

• Residencial Dom Carlos

  phone: +351 262 832 551
  address: Rua Camões, 39A
  The three-star, 18-room establishment is located across from the city's main park.

• Hotel Dona Leonor

  phone: +351 262 842 171
  address: Hemiciclo João Paulo II, 9
  This three-star, 30-room establishment is centrally located, adjacent to the 20th-century Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Church of Our Lady of the Conception). Amenities include free Wi-Fi throughout the property.

• Europeia Hotel

  phone: +351 262 839 320
  address: Rua Almirante Candido dos Reis, 64 (Centro Comercial Rua das Montras)
  This three-star, 55-room hotel is located in the heart of the city's shopping district. Amenities include a sitting area/lounge on each floor, a breakfast room, a cocktail bar, a billiard lounge, meeting rooms, and a business centre.

• Inatel Foz do Arelho

  phone: +351 262 975 100
  address: Rua Francisco de Almeida Grandela, 17; Foz do Arelho
  Three-star accommodation across from the lagoon beach.

• Sana Silver Coast Hotel

  phone: +351 262 000 600
  address: Av. D. Manuel Figueira Freire da Câmara
  Built on the site of and in the style of the venerable Hotel Lisbonense, the SANA Silver Coast Hotel offers four-star accommodation in the heart of the city. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, Lisbonense restaurant, a lounge & bar space and meeting rooms.

As in the rest of Portugal, the emergency number for police, fire, and medical assistance is 112.

Police and fire

• Polícia de Segurança Pública

  phone: +351 262 870 360
  address: Rua 31 de Janeiro, 32
  The PSP patrol urban areas, such as the city of Caldas.

• Guarda Nacional Republicana

  phone: +351 262 830 180
  address: Rua Major Pascoal Pires
  The GNR patrol rural areas and highways.

• Bombeiros Voluntários das Caldas da Rainha

  phone: +351 262 840 550
  address: Rua 31 de Janeiro
  Everybody's favorite guys and gals in uniform.

Hospitals and clinics

• Hospital Distrital Caldas da Rainha

  phone: +351 262 830 300
  address: Rua Diário de Notícias
  The only public hospital in Caldas da Rainha, also serving surrounding municipalities. If you experience a medical emergency in town, you'll likely end up here.

• Centro de Saúde Caldas da Rainha

  phone: +351 262 870 380
  address: Rua do Centro de Saúde
  The main public health clinic in Caldas. Appointment may be necessary.

• Montepio Rainha D. Leonor

  phone: +351 262 837 100
  address: Rua do Montepio Rainha D. Leonor, 9
  A private, membership-based mutual assistance society that operates a "house of health" in the city centre. Although it is smaller and more expensive than the public hospital, many Caldas residents who can afford Montepio prefer the more personalized service offered.

In addition, each of the following rural civil parishes has a health clinic: A dos Francos, Alvorninha, Foz do Arelho, Landal (Rostos), Salir de Matos, Santa Catarina, Tornada, and Vidais.

Pharmacies

There are seven pharmacies in the city of Caldas da Rainha. They take turns being open 24 hours. You can find the current farmácia de serviço listed under Permanente here. This information is also posted on the door of each pharmacy, on municipal electronic signs in the city centre, and in the local newspapers.

• Farmácia Branco Lisboa

  phone: +351 262 832 324
  address: Rua Almirante Cândido dos Reis (Rua das Montras), 25

• Farmácia Caldense

  phone: +351 262 832 256
  address: Praça 5 de Outubro (Antiga Praça do Peixe), 7

• Farmácia Central

  phone: +351 262 831 471
  address: Praça da República (Praça da Fruta), 15

• Farmácia Maldonado

  phone: +351 262 831 484
  address: Rua Tenente Sangreman Henriques, 12

• Farmácia Perdigão

  phone: +351 262 840 580
  address: Rua Dr. Augusto Saudade e Silva, 15

• Farmácia Freitas

  phone: +351 262 839 450
  address: Rua Engenheiro Marcelo Morgado, 1–3

• Farmácia Rosa

  phone: +351 262 831 996
  address: Avenida Primeiro de Maio, 12A

In addition, the each of the following rural civil parishes has a pharmacy: A dos Francos, Alvorninha, Foz do Arelho, Landal, Salir de Matos, Santa Catarina, Tornada, and Vidais.

The city dialing code for Caldas da Rainha is 262 , which must be included for local calls. To call Portugal from abroad, dial country code 351 before the city code. To call abroad from Portugal, dial 00 before the country code.
The postal code for Caldas is 2500.

• Biblioteca Municipal

  phone: +351 262 841 728
  address: Rua Vitorino Fróis
  Wi-Fi available.

• CTT Correios

  phone: +351 262 840 040
  address: Rua Engenheiro Duarte Pacheco, 3
  Whether using their services or just passing by, don't miss the tile work and the ceramic logo on the side of the building.

Newspapers

Caldas has two weekly newspapers covering local happenings and events.

• Gazeta das CaldasPublished on Fridays.

• Jornal das CaldasPublished on Wednesdays.

Laundry and dry cleaning

• Wash Station

  phone: +351 969 330 190
  address: Rua José Filipe Neto Rebelo 2A
  This self-service launderette also offers pressing, mending, and delivery services.

Religious Services

Anglican

• Anglican Church in Caldas da Rainha

  address: Rua Dr. José Saudade e Silva (Rua da Electricidade) 27

Assemblies of God

• Assembleia de Deus Pentecostal das Caldas da Rainha

  phone: +351 262 823 582
  address: Rua Dr. José Saudade e Silva (Antiga Rua da Electricidade) 51

Baptist

• Igreja Evangélica Baptista de Caldas da Rainha

  address: Rua Dr. José Saudade e Silva (Rua da Electricidade) 27

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

• Caldas da Rainha Branch

  phone: +351 917 158 523
  address: Rua Hemiciclo Joao Paulo II, 4

Evangelical

• Centro Cristão Vida Abundante

  phone: +351 918 103 908
  address: Avenida Primeiro de Maio 20

• Igreja Evangélica Avivamento da Fé

  phone: +351 913 959 251
  address: Rua Filinto Elisio

• Igreja Evangélica Casa do Pai

  phone: +351 262 099 629
  address: Rua Henrique Sales 32

Jehova's Witnesses

• Salão do Reino das Testemunhas de Jeová

  phone: +351 262 844 744
  address: Rua da Jouriça 8A

Maná Christian Church

• Maná Igreja Cristã

  phone: +351 21 190 89 90
  address: Rua Cardeal Alpedrinha 43
  This denomination was founded in Portugal in 1984.

Pentecostal

• Congregação Cristã em Portugal

  address: Rua das Flores 31–33

Roman Catholic

Refer to the See > Churches section.

Russian Orthodox

• Igreja Ortodoxa Russa do Patriarcado de Moscovo (Diocese de Korsun)

  phone: +351 918 062 062, +351 967 383 330
  address: Largo João de Deus

Seventh Day Adventist

• Igreja Adventista do Sétimo Dia em Caldas da Rainha

  phone: +351 262 288 398
  address: Rua Victor Lopes 24

Universal Church of the Kingdom of God

• Centro de Ajuda Espiritual

  phone: +351 262 843 585
  address: Rua Raul Proença 25–27

With its central location and excellent transport connections, Caldas da Rainha can serve as an excellent home base for exploring other places on Portugal's west coast (Oeste), including:

• Alcobaça – visit the UNESCO World Heritage site Alcobaça Monestary

• São Martinho do Porto – in the southwest of Alcobaça municipality and across from Salir do Porto, has a protected bay beach popular with families

Batalha – home to another UNESCO World Heritage monastery

Leiria – a castle and a cathedral

Nazaré – a picture-postcard beach town, lately noted for its surfing

Óbidos – Caldas' nearest neighbor is a walled medieval hilltop town

Peniche – beaches and water sports, access to the Berlengas archipelago