Santarém: a day out

We decided to take the train from Santa Apolonia to Santarém, which is a town we have never explored before. Initially things didn't go at all to plan. There was no problem getting tickets for the 9.48am stopping train from Santa Apolonia, which sets us back just over 5.50€ each for a journey of just over an hour. Nor, after a coffee and a cake in a station bar, finding the platorm and getting on the train.

9.48 came and went, so 9.58, 10.08, 10.18 – and still we sat in the train on Platform 5 at Santa Apolonia. No announcement as to what was happening. From time to time those of us remaining on the train opened the electric train doors and peered out but returned clearly none the wiser. Finally the train left at 10.48am – clearly the 9.48 was cancelled but no-one thought to say.

The station at Santarém is on the flat valley floor of the Tagus, while the main part of the city is up on a bluff high above. We decided to get a taxi to take us up to the centre. It was certainly a wise move and, as usual, the fare was not expensive.

Lower Santarém, the station is out of photo to left

Lower Santarém

Battlements of the Porta do Sol (old fortress) and the Tagus below

The old bridge over the Tagus at Santarém, which is now under repair (above and below)

Vines on the flat valley floor (from Porta do Sol)

The old centre of the city has many narrow old streets with a number of churches plus attractive buildings.

Some fine buildings

More photos to follow in another post.