Loures, Portugal

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Loures, Portugal

Region: Lisbon District

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Geographic Coordinates: 38.833300, -9.166700

Climate: Climate: Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers. Weather patterns: Generally sunny and dry in the summer, with occasional heat waves. Rainfall is more frequent in the winter months.

Population: 205054

Language: Portuguese

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Loures is a charming municipality located just 15 kilometers north of Lisbon in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area of Portugal. The town boasts a rich history and cultural heritage, As well as stunning natural beauty that will appeal to history buffs, Nature lovers, And foodies alike. One of Loures’ most significant landmarks is the Palace of Bucelas, An 18th-century palace once home to Portuguese nobility that now serves as a museum showcasing exhibits related to local history and culture. Visitors can explore the palace’s grand rooms adorned with antique furniture, Tapestries, Paintings, And sculptures.

Another must-see attraction in Loures is the Convento de Santo Antonio de Bexiga. Built by Franciscan monks in the 17th century, This beautiful convent features stunning Baroque architecture. Visitors can take guided tours or attend cultural events such as concerts or exhibitions. Nature enthusiasts will love exploring Parque da Cidade de Loures – an expansive park covering over 100 hectares with numerous hiking trails through lush forests filled with native flora and fauna. The park also features several lakes where visitors can enjoy boating or fishing while taking in breathtaking views of rolling hillsides.

Foodies won’t be disappointed either as Loures is renowned for its delicious cuisine influenced by traditional Portuguese recipes passed down through generations. Local restaurants serve up mouth-watering dishes such as grilled sardines, Octopus rice stewed with beans (Arroz de Polvo com Feijão), Codfish cakes (Pasteis de Bacalhau), Among others. Other interesting places worth visiting include Museu Nacional do Azulejo – National Tile Museum; Quinta da Fonte Santa – an elegant manor house surrounded by vineyards; Aqueduct das Águas Livres – an impressive 18th-century aqueduct that stretches over 14 kilometers.

Overall, Loures offers visitors a unique blend of history, Culture and natural beauty that makes it a beautiful and fascinating destination.

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• Loures is a small city in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area of Portugal.
• It boasts several famous landmarks and tourist attractions, including:
1. Quinta da Fonte Santa
2. Convento de Santo António de Lisboa
3. Museu Municipal de Loures
4. Igreja Matriz de Santa Maria de Loures
5. Palácio dos Marqueses da Praia e Monforte
6. Parque das Nações Vasco da Gama
7. Vasco da Gama Bridge (the longest bridge in Europe)
8. Jeronimos Monastery (a UNESCO world heritage site)
9. Belem Tower (another UNESCO world heritage site)
10. Castelo Sao Jorge

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Primary Industries

1. Manufacturing: Loures boasts a significant manufacturing industry that produces electronics, textiles, and machinery.
2. Logistics and distribution: Many logistics and distribution companies have established their operations in Loures due to its strategic location near Lisbon’s international airport and major highways.
3. Retail: The municipality has several shopping centers and retail outlets that cater to both locals and tourists.
4. Food processing: Due to its proximity to agricultural areas, several food processing companies are located in Loures.
5. Construction: Ongoing infrastructure development projects make the construction industry significant in the region.
6. Services sector: The services sector is growing rapidly with the expansion of tourism-related activities such as hotels, restaurants, and leisure facilities.
7. Health care: Several hospitals and medical centers serve not only the local population but also those from nearby regions.
8. Education: Education is an important industry for the municipality of Loures with several schools at all levels of education located within its borders.

These industries provide employment opportunities for thousands of people living in or around Loures while contributing significantly to Portugal’s economy as a whole.

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Noteable History

1. The Battle of Alcântara was fought near Loures in 1580 between the forces of King Philip II of Spain and those supporting Portugal’s claimant to the throne, Dom António.
2. José de Sousa Martins, a famous doctor and philanthropist who lived in Loures during the late 19th century, is revered as a saint by many Portuguese people.
3. Quinta do Conventinho is a historic estate in Loures that was once owned by the Marquis de Pombal, one of Portugal’s most important statesmen.
4. The Carnation Revolution took place on April 25th, 1974 when a military coup overthrew Portugal’s authoritarian government and brought about democracy. Many soldiers involved in the coup were based at military barracks located in Loures.
5. Vasco da Gama is an important historical figure for all of Portugal and famously led an expedition to India by sea in 1497-1499 that opened up trade routes between Europe and Asia. Although not directly associated with Loures itself, he was born in Sines (about two hours south of Loures).
6. Maria Lamas was a feminist writer who lived for many years in Loures during the mid-20th century and played an active role in promoting women’s rights both locally and nationally.
7. João Villaret was a well-known actor who spent much of his career performing on stage at Lisbon’s Teatro Nacional D.Maria II but also had strong ties to Loures through family connections.

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Museums and Things To See

1. Museu Nacional do Azulejo – National Tile Museum
2. Quinta da Fonte dos Castelos – Castle Fountain Estate
3. Igreja Matriz de Loures – Loures Parish Church
4. Parque da Cidade de Loures – Loures City Park
5. Palácio dos Arcebispos de Lisboa em Santo António dos Cavaleiros – Palace of the Archbishops of Lisbon in Santo António dos Cavaleiros
6. Centro Cultural do Morgado – Morgado Cultural Center
7. Convento de São Francisco de Assis em Santo António dos Cavaleiros – Convent of St Francis of Assisi in Santo António dos Cavaleiros
8. Moinho do Castelo em Sacavém – Castle Windmill in Sacavém
9. Casa-Museu José Pedro – José Pedro House-Museum
10. Monumento ao Cristo Rei da Paz – Monument to Christ the King of Peace

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Cultural Events

1. Festival do Caracol Saloio is a festival that celebrates the traditional dish of snails, and it takes place in June.
2. Festas de Santo António is a religious festival held in June, which includes parades, music, and fireworks.
3. Feira da Luz is an annual fair held in September that features carnival rides, food stalls, and live entertainment.
4. Festival Internacional de Folclore de Loures takes place in July and showcases traditional dance and music from all over the world.
5. Festa do Vinho e das Vindimas celebrates wine and grape harvests with wine tastings and grape stomping competitions every September.
6. Festa da Flor e do Morango is a May festival that celebrates flowers and strawberries with local produce stalls, music performances, and activities for children.
7. Festival Gastronómico Sabores Saloios honors the traditional dishes of Loures region through a gastronomic event.
8. Festas da Cidade is an annual citywide celebration on 15th August to honor Nossa Senhora da Assunção (Our Lady of Assumption), Loures’ patron saint.

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Cuisine

• Cozinha da Maria – a traditional Portuguese restaurant serving dishes like grilled sardines, codfish cakes, and pork with clams.
• Taberna do Areal – a cozy restaurant offering delicious seafood dishes like octopus salad and grilled fish.
• Churrasqueira O Franguinho – a popular spot for grilled chicken served with rice and fries.
• O Pedrouços – a family-owned restaurant serving traditional Portuguese dishes like bacalhau à bras and arroz de marisco (seafood rice).
• Tasca do Careca – a rustic tavern offering petiscos (Portuguese tapas) like chouriço assado (grilled chorizo) and alheira com ovo (sausage with egg).
• A Casa das Bifanas – famous for its bifanas (pork sandwiches) served with spicy sauce.
• Adega Regional de Bucelas – a wine bar where you can taste the local wine from the Bucelas region along with some cheese and cured meats.
• Pastelaria Alves Ribeiro – known for its pastéis de nata (Portuguese custard tarts) and other sweet treats like bolos de arroz (rice muffins).

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Parks and Recreation

1. Parque da Cidade de Loures – A large park with walking trails, playgrounds, picnic areas, and a lake.
2. Parque Urbano das Colinas do Cruzeiro – A park with sports fields, walking paths, and a playground.
3. Quinta do Conventinho – An agricultural farm with animals and gardens that is open to the public for tours.
4. Centro de Aventura Floresta Encantada – An adventure park with zip lines, rope courses, and other outdoor activities.
5. Piscina Municipal de Loures – A public swimming pool that is open during the summer months.
6. Museu Municipal de Loures – A museum dedicated to the history of the region.
7. Biblioteca Municipal Ary dos Santos – A public library with books in Portuguese and other languages.
8. Mercado Abastecedor da Região de Lisboa (MARL) – An indoor market where locals can buy fresh produce and seafood.
9. Feira Popular de Loures – An annual fair featuring carnival rides, games, food vendors, and live entertainment.
10. Centro Cultural Morgado da Costa – Cultural center showcasing local art exhibits as well as music concerts from both local artists as well as international ones visiting Portugal.

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Create Memories, Travel Often.

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