Praia do Ribatejo, natural flora and fauna on the longest Tagus beach
Praia do Ribatejo is a typical Portuguese village with a big difference it is and has always been the beach of the Tagus!
It was once was the hearth of rural activity but now a quiet, almost forgotten place. Allowing everything on the beach to grow and develop naturally making it one of the most interesting flora and fauna locations in Ribatejo
It is often imaginatively remembered by tourists who find association in it’s name. “Praia” meaning beach and “Ribatejo” being the magnificent province that embraces Lisbon.
This is A place where people drive by to stop locals and ask ‘so where is the beach?’ Ready with their beach gear, eager to dive in,
Generally these visitors to Praia are redirected by the locals to Constancia, by road, 2km away.
The Praia or beach in Praia do Ribatejo is currently unsuitable for swimming and not really meant for swimming but it is within walking distance (5 minutes) of the Zezere beach which is great for swimming.
This beach is for discovery, walking, gathering plants, meeting birds en rediscovering ‘natural’ nature.
What makes Praia do Ribatejo stand out above a lot of other villages is the unique flora and fauna.
30 years ago Praia do Ribatejo was a busy beach full of parasols and sunbathing people.
The (swimming) beach tourism has vanished and the ‘beach days’ became memories of the old people that inhabit the village.
However more and more people are once again taking to the waters and its a great place to swim away from the crowds and masses.
For nature lovers it’s a perfect place to walk among the many storks that inhabit the beach.
In the spring and summer the flowers, cacti, trees and bushes, share with you their colours and fruits, all at their own particular pace.
The river seems to softly travels backwards in the directions of the castle of Almourol, 2 km downstream.
Some of the flora and fauna found here, are unique to Portugal.
For bird watchers the beach is a paradise.
For anybody it’s a beautiful, tranquil place to be. A great place for dogs to run, a great place for children to look at stones, plants, birds and trees.
It’s a ‘back to nature place’, accessible, educational and a relief in these urban times but it’s also an incredibly enjoyable place to be but its also a village with 3 restaurants, 6 bars and café’s, a train station and a couple of supermarkets, a health centre, Multi bank and bus service
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In the summer you can walk from the Tagus beach through the river Zezere to constancia. (take water shoes as the stones in the river can be sharp and slippery).
In the winter the steamy and now fast moving river, low sun and ever blooming nature can make quite a lasting impression.
There are various places to stay and a couple of typical and traditional restaurants and bars to eat and drink.
For me, out of the bustling, busy, enervative and smoky city, it’s a place to get away and feel, breath and live unbiased nature and traditional culture.
Its a wonderful place for hikes of all types, Canoeing, Fishing and lazy afternoons.
Would you like to get to know some of the hikes?
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