Bus Hire in Santarem

Santarem occupies a plateau above the Tagus river, 80 kilometres north of Lisbon, and has been called the Gothic capital of Portugal for the quality and number of its medieval religious buildings. A dozen churches of Gothic and Manueline character are concentrated in an area walkable from the central square, including the Igreja de Graca with a spectacular Manueline rose window and the remains of the Convento de Sao Francisco where several medieval kings are buried.

The town of around 30,000 people is the capital of the Ribatejo region and the historical centre of the bullfighting and equestrian traditions of the Tagus plain. The Portas do Sol, a garden on the edge of the plateau with walls falling sheer to the Tagus floodplain below, gives one of the widest river views in Portugal. The National Agriculture Fair, held annually in June, is the largest such event in the country and draws substantial coach traffic from across the region.

The Gothic Churches

The Igreja de Graca (Church of Our Lady of Grace) is the most important Gothic building in Santarem, begun in the 14th century and expanded over the following two centuries. The west facade has a Manueline rose window that is one of the finest examples in Portugal outside Tomar. The tomb of Pedro Alvares Cabral, the Portuguese explorer credited with reaching Brazil in 1500, is traditionally located here. Other significant buildings include the Igreja de Marvila, whose interior walls are covered entirely in 17th-century azulejo tiles forming one of the most complete tile programmes in Portugal, and the Seminario, now a cultural centre. A walking circuit of the main churches takes around two hours and is the central activity for most coach groups visiting Santarem.

Getting to Santarem

Lisbon Airport (LIS) is around 80 kilometres south, approximately one hour by coach on the A1 motorway. Porto Airport (OPO) is around 200 kilometres north, about two hours. The town has a main railway station with frequent trains from Lisbon (around one hour) and connections north to Coimbra and Porto. For most visiting groups, Santarem is a day trip from Lisbon or a stop on a touring route between the capital and Porto.

The Portas do Sol and the Ribatejo Plain

The Portas do Sol garden is built into the remains of the old Moorish castle walls and gives a panoramic view south and west over the Tagus floodplain. The view takes in the distinctive white-painted farmsteads of the Leziria, the agricultural land between the rivers of the Ribatejo, and the Arruda dos Vinhos wine hills to the south-west. In winter and spring the floodplain is an important area for migratory birds, with black storks and white storks visible from the garden walls. The equestrian traditions of the Ribatejo, including the campinos (mounted herdsmen of the Tagus cattle ranches), are documented at the Museu Rural e de Etnografia at the edge of the town.

Popular Day Trips from Santarem

What Bus Hire Costs in Santarem

As a rough guide, a minibus (up to 19 seats) in Santarem runs around 440 to 760 EUR per day, a midi-coach (around 35 seats) around 550 to 960 EUR per day, and a full-size coach (49 to 55 seats) around 650 to 1,140 EUR per day. Santarem is primarily a day-trip market from Lisbon and sees moderate demand in spring and summer. The National Agriculture Fair in June is the exception: coach hire across the whole Ribatejo region books out well in advance for that week. The final figure depends on your route, the date, and how long you need the vehicle and driver. We confirm a fixed price with no hidden charges, so send your details for a free quote.

Services Available in Santarem