Things to do in Mafra, Central Portugal: The Best Nature & Parks

The Iberian Wolf Recovery Centre (IWRC) is a sanctuary for wolves who are unable to survive in the wild. It was started in 1987 with the objective of providing a suitable environment and safe haven for wolves. While providing its resident wolves with the best available care, the IWRC aims to create awareness of the wolf in its natural state as well as in captivity. In the visits you will have the opportunity to learn more about the iberian wolf: the biology, ecology, behaviour and pack life, and the threats that face this elusive predator. The enclosures that the wolves occupy are large and densely vegetated and therefore we cannot guarantee their observation. The IWRC is open to the public for guided visits on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays. All visits are subject to booking. The visits are made on foot through the public portion of the sanctuary and take about 90 minutes. Visiting hours: Winter (October to April) visits at 3:00pm and 4:30pm Summer (May to September) visits at 4:00pm and 6:00pm Visits are held in Portuguese. Bilingual visits are possible but are subject to booking and occur at 4:30pm in the winter and 6:00pm in the summer.

It is the Baroque garden par excellence and a must stop for anyone visiting Mafra. Jardim do Cerco is an illuminated work, maintained in detail and detail for the population and visitors. Water mirrors, wide paths, leafy trees and a century-old daughter-in-law still in operation are some of the attractions of this garden inspired by Versailles. This place is the perfect transition between the walled vastness of Tapada Real and the monumentality of the National Palace of Mafra, which stands on one of its flanks. The forest and gardens extend over eight hectares, with offers of nooks, shadows, waterfalls or even a peculiar garden: Horta dos Frades, where the plants used in medicinal products (pharmacy) are in sight when they were built. , ordered by D. João V. In Jardim do Cerco there is a space called Horto das Aromáticas , which features around 39 species of plants used for medicinal and seasoning purposes. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019

With direct access to the center of Ericeira, it is limited to the south by the pier of the fishing port and to the north by a natural rocky spur, which separates it from São Sebastião Beach. Overlooking Praia do Algodio is the beautiful and typical houses of the northern part of the village of Ericeira. It has a modern beach support with changing rooms, toilets and a bar with a terrace facing the sea, where it will also be easy to find surfboards and surfers. Guarded beach with lifeguard and SOS Praia system. Parking is limited and the Parque Urbano de São Sebastião is recommended.

500 meters to the north is the most popular wave of the Reserve, on the beach that is considered the “visiting room” of Portuguese surf. Located in a valley where a stream flows, its geographical configuration is that of a natural amphitheater, ideal for holding events. It is not by chance that the first national and international championships held in Portugal took place here. Ribeira d'Ilhas is a long pointbreak right (the waves follow the shoreline) that receives all kinds of waves and works at all tides, being the most consistent wave in the region. With W / NO undulations Ribeira d'Ilhas can provide rights of up to 200 meters in length. It is a very valuable and competitive wave, as it allows the most different levels of approach by surfers.

Green areas for stay and leisure, constituting a space for informal use where active and passive recreation become possible in the large garden spaces, in the installed equipment and even more nostalgically with the older architectural elements.