Mação

The municipality of Mação is part of Santarém's district and is composed of eight parishes. One of the interesting characteristics of its location is for it being the vertex of three regions: Beira Baixa, Ribatejo and Alentejo. The origin of its toponym is uncertain, but the presence of man in ancient times is properly documented and refers to periods such as the Palaeolithic or the period of Roman occupation. To its history belong also some episodes of the French Revolution and the struggles between Liberals and Miguelists. Mação is known by the three A 's: good waters, good airs and good olive oil ("boas águas, bons ares e bom azeite"). In fact, what this council has to offer are its landscapes, surrounded by green colors and sparkling waters, which you may enjoy, for example, in the various river beaches. The olive oil and wine productions occupy a large part of the population. These are, in fact, the ideal ingredients to accompany with the regional gastronomic icons. Starting with the sausages, ham, sheep and goat cheeses, passing by the cabrito assado em forno a lenha (lamb roasted in a wood-fired oven), feijão de Matança (bean stew served with poached eggs and codfish), bucho recheado (stuffed pork stomach dish), lampreia and sável na telha (lamprey or shad wrapped in cabbage leafs and served in typical tile recipients), achigã (black bass), sopa à pescador (seafood soup), ensopado de saboga ou de enguia (twait shad and eel stew). To finish, tigeladas de cardigos (egg-based sweets with cinnamon), bolo dos Santos (kind of sweet breads with anise and cinnamon), fofas de Mação (brandy sweets with an egg white coating) or torrados (roasted nuts). As a souvenir, you can select pottery works, tinsmith, lace and embroidery, blankets, wooden toys and objects linked to fishing, which will mark your passage through Mação.

What to do in Mação

Where to eat in Mação

Where to sleep in Mação

A Tejada
A Tejada

Beside the river Tagus, more properly in Ortiga, this House dated from the years 40 offers a welcoming environment in the rural areas. There is a possibility o…

Casa Mansinho
Casa Mansinho

Simple and familiar pension, located in a typical House, offering unpretentious yet functional rooms 13.

Near Mação

Ferreira do Zêzere

Ferreira do Zêzere


Ferreira do Zêzere's landscape, although it is located at the northern end of Ribatejo, has little to do with the typical lezíria. Deep valleys, pine…

Golegã

Golegã


Golegã is known throughout the country as the "Horse Capital City", due to its historical links to bullfighting traditions. In the heart of Ribatejo,…

Alpiarça

Alpiarça


Alpiarça is a municipality in Ribatejo belonging to the district of Santarém and has only one parish. Its geographical location, on the left bank of …

Constância

Constância


This is one of the most beautiful villages in Portugal. Located in the middle of the Ribatejo region, on the north bank of the Tagus River, Constânci…