Vila de Frades – Vidigueira Clock Tower loop from Vidigueira

Hiking trails & Routes

Beja

Vidigueira

Vila de Frades – Vidigueira Clock Tower loop from Vidigueira

Moderate

5.0

(1)

hikers

Vila de Frades – Vidigueira Clock Tower loop from Vidigueira

04:56

18.4km

220m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily walkable paths. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 20, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

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335 m

Mendro Climb (Vidigueira)

Highlight • Trail

Trail and walk, an event that has been held for the 38th year.

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5.37 km

Hermitage of Saint Anthony of the Azores

Highlight • Religious Site

Ermida de Santo António dos Açores is a quaint chapel located in Vila de Frades, Portugal, known for its charming architecture and serene atmosphere. This historical site is dedicated to Saint Anthony, the patron saint of lost things, and attracts visitors for both its spiritual significance and picturesque setting. The chapel features traditional Portuguese design elements and is often surrounded by lush greenery, making it a peaceful retreat for locals and travelers alike. Its historical value adds to the cultural heritage of the region, offering insight into the local traditions and religious practices.

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11.5 km

The Roman Ruins of São Cucufate

Highlight • Historical Site

14.0 km

Vila de Frades

Highlight • Settlement

A typical winery in Vila de Frades where, according to the popular song:
"Vila de Frades no longer has abbots
But it has wineries that are like cathedrals
Their wines are brilliant
They are enough to make you want more..."

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14.1 km

Clock Tower

Highlight • Monument

Nestled in an urban area, surrounded by houses and situated practically between two streets, the Vila de Frades Clock Tower likely dates back to the 16th century, when it was originally built.

Throughout its existence, it has undergone additions and restorations to ensure its future preservation.

In 1780, it was equipped with a bronze bell. In 1890, the tower underwent extensive renovation, with the installation of new enamel clock faces made in the workshop of A. C. dos Santos in Lisbon.

The Clock Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the area, stands at the top of Rua Luís de Camões. It is one of the few clocks in the country to operate using both pendulums and windings. It also underwent restoration of its mechanisms and exterior in 2007.

References: Túlio Espanca - Artistic Inventory of Portugal - Beja District, Lisbon, 1992; Ricardo Pereira, SIPA, monumentos.pt.

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14.3 km

País das Uvas Wine Cellar-Restaurant

Highlight • Restaurant

A typical restaurant with its main décor made from old clay jars, where Talha wine gains flavor and maturity.
In Vila de Frades, 1 km from Vidigueira, the Typical Restaurant País das Uvas is an old winery that was restored and converted into a restaurant, maintaining its traditional architectural features, thus functioning as both a winery and a traditional restaurant. The wine served in this winery is made in old Moorish clay jars, which also adorn the establishment. In this traditional winery, you can witness all stages of the production of artisanal Talha wine.

"It's not just a winery, nor is it just a restaurant. It's a powerful alliance between the producer's wine and the most authentic Alentejo cuisine. A space filled with amphorae, with the simple and genuine welcome of those who love to welcome and serve well, an always pleasant and familiar atmosphere where Alentejo singing often takes place. And, as if that weren't enough, with the doors open to sharing the knowledge gained from centuries of experience. Here, the amphorae are not just decoration: they hold the wine produced there, and you can witness the various stages of traditional production. Some specialties: silarcas with eggs and asparagus, chickpea stew, lamb stew, Alentejo garlic açorda, asparagus with eggs, lamb's head roasted in a wood-fired oven, and tomato soups."

in Wine and Food Tours - From the Land to the Table - Alentejo

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17.6 km

Vidigueira Castle and Public Garden

Highlight • Castle

Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer, was appointed Count of Vidigueira by King Manuel I upon returning from his discovery of the sea route from Europe to India. The remains of the castle, with its beautiful gate, can be visited. The city park was filled with umbrellas during our visit – it looked great.

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18.1 km

Vidigueira Clock Tower

Highlight • Monument

Of the profane monuments in Vidigueira, the Torre do Relógio is one of the most interesting, not so much because of the tower itself, but whose construction date we ignore, as we did not find any reference to it that would elucidate us, but because of the bell it houses, commissioned by by Vasco da Gama in 1520, as stated in the inscription that reads: This bell ordered Mr. Count Dom Vasco Admiral of India.
During the restoration work, the hands that had never been on the clock were placed on the clock, so that Vidigueirão residents can not only hear the familiar sound of its bells, but also know the time whenever they look at it.
The tower is a quadrangular building, with a guard at the top, to which you can go up by a spiral staircase, with brick railings and ornaments in each corner, and in the middle, as a finishing touch, a guardhouse or spire, which houses the bell already mentioned and opens on each side by a look with an arch all the way around.
in freguesiavidigueira.pt/index.php/patrimonio/torre-do-relogio accessed on 6/8/2023.

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