Palace of Jose Maria de Fonseca
Perhaps it is because at the same time we feel in a foreign place and trying to speak another language, but basically as comfortable as in the armchair at home. In addition to the trio of basics ( Lisbon , Port Y Algarve ), our neighbors next door still have plenty of places to surprise us. Fortunately (and surprisingly), they conserve spectacular places and without artifice , where tourism has not devastated, where to see beautiful things. One of them is Azeitao , beyond the “cascais” and “estoriles” . yes, what's up tiles, and cakes and cheeses and beaches and wines … and it is located half an hour from Lisbon: these and others are the reasons why Azeitão is worth a visit.
BY ITS LOCATION
Only half an hour from Lisbon, as we have already said, in the stunning Serra da Arrabida Natural Park : 35 kilometers of mountains between Sesimbra and Setubal and already, at the foot, the Atlantic Ocean. Whether you like to drive, climb, walk or swim, you'll appreciate the scenery, one of the most unique in the country.
Serra da Arrabida Natural Park
FOR YOUR CHEESE
With own name: Azeitao cheese , whose protected DO also covers those produced in other towns of the sierra ( Palmela, Sesimbra and Setubal ) . It is a cheese raw sheep , cylindrical and flattened, similar to those of the Serra da Estrela, which is made with different woods, (cottage cheese, fresh, intense or soft cheese) . And it spreads. Yes, it spreads. In those wonderful rustic breads that are sold in Portugal!
Azeitão cheese is spread on those wonderful Portuguese breads
FOR THE QUINTA DA BACALHÔA
The entire region centuries ago was a magnet for wealthy families who built their summer homes here. But none like the spectacular Quinta da Bacalhoa (16th century), which belonged to the Portuguese royal family and is a true highlight national. They do guided tours every day (except Sundays) to its interiors with works of art, its gardens, its lake, its vineyards and its labyrinthine garden. A couple of kilometers away they also have a winery where they make their renowned wines.
Quinta da Bacalhoa
The cellars full of tiles of Quinta da Bacalhôa
ALONG THE BEACH OF PORTINHO ARRÁBIDA
All this coast is a true discovery as far as beaches are concerned ( Coelhos, Galapos, Galapinhos… ) . To stay with one, we chose this clear water bay pickup (and cold) where sea and mountains coexist in the same space. In front of her is the Pedra da Anixa islet , where you have to approach with diving goggles. Keep an eye out because in this area there is a lot golfinho (i.e. dolphin in Spanish)
Portinho Arrabida
FOR YOUR CAKE
We continue with the food, and in this case with the sweet made in the entire council of Setúbal; one of cylindrical shape made with egg and lemon and sprinkled with cinnamon. It is sold in two pastry shops in the town square.
THROUGH THE TILES
They could not be missing from the recount, and it is here, in the Bacalhôa Palace, that the original tiles from the 16th and 17th centuries , one of the first Renaissance samples in the country. Next to it is a artisan tile factory that continues to use the ancestral techniques for its production and reproduce the old models (not only the typical Portuguese blues and whites but also those of the Hispano-Moorish style). It is open to (free) visits to learn about the entire production process.
The traditional tile manufacturing process
FOR ITS FRIED CHOCO
The area of the Setúbal peninsula is famous throughout Portugal for its fish and shellfish , but especially for the sardines roasted (there is even a sculpture dedicated to them in the city of Setúbal) and for its highly celebrated fried cuttlefish , tasty and tender, served with fried legs.
FOR ITS MUSCAT
Muscat of Setúbal It is another product with a designation of origin from the area (and again with less fame than ports or madeiras). A beautiful building in the center of Azeitão, where the company is located Jose Maria de Fonseca , has become a interesting museum that explains the whole history of this drink in the area. The first part is an exposition of posters, photos and machinery , and in the second you can see the very cellars where the muscatel is produced: white and rosé (the latter less frequent and highly valued by experts). This company was also the first to bottle table wines, the famous Piriquita.
Moscatel of Jose Maria de Fonseca
FOR ITS SUNDAY MARKET
In the same town square on Sundays a nice market , a paradise for those who enjoy shopping in the flea markets (but at a bargain price, not London or Paris). They sell beautiful handmade wicker baskets, solid wood antique furniture, Roman scales, all kinds of ceramics and even entire vinyl collections (at 0.50 per vinyl). That said, you have to come.