SEIXAL, A “BAY AT THE HEART OF TAGUS RIVER” HAND IN HAND WITH THE QUALITY TOURISM.
The riverfronts of the municipality of Seixal, and its lovely and really charming Bay are the business card of a territory that grows and gets rediscovered in every place, in every new business that is set up, in every family that decides to settle in, in every tourist that decides to explore the local natural and gastronomical offers. Seixal, a land of the future, is known as a “Bay at the heart of Tagus River”.
The connection to the river is from the outset, a factor of excellence, with the construction of the pedestrian and cycling riverwalk around the Bay of Seixal. In this magnificent riverfront, the gastronomy makes the difference and invites you to taste the flavours from around the world.
There is also the chance of experiencing activities and sports related to the river and to the beach (fluvial), close to the Bay or at Ponta dos Corvos. Sailing, canoeing, and doing stand-up paddle, having a boat trip in a dragon boat or in a traditional vessel are some appealing offers.
The varino-type boat “Amoroso” and bote de fragata (small frigate) Baía do Seixal sail all year round, in the calm waters of the Bay and in the estuary of Tagus River, where you can book a boat trip in family.
Then you may have lunch in a typical tavern or, if you like, savour something related to the Tagus River, like feijoada de choco (cuttlefish bean stew), caldeirada (fish stew), massada de peixe (fish stew pasta), enguias fritas (fried eel) or ensopado de enguias (eel stew). Thereafter, you may wish to explore historical sites and visit manor houses, like Quinta da Fidalga and, in the evening, attend high-quality cultural shows. Who has never heard of SeixalJazz?
Seixal invites you also to watch natural beauties, with relevance to two areas integrated in the Program Natura 2000: the Bay of Seixal and the adjacent marshland areas and the site Fernão Ferro / Lagoa de Albufeira. Corroios marshland has a vast ornithological wealth and aquatic fauna, serving as a temporary landing for many migratory birds such as the flamingo, the tailorbird, the wading bird, the heron, and the wild duck, who come here to seek for food and shelter. It also works as a natural nursery for several species of molluscs, crustaceans, and fish. The site Fernão Ferro / Lagoa de Albufeira, on its hand, has an international significance for avifauna, with a high landscaping value and an area of fish and bivalve reproduction. With the aim of disclosing these natural values, enabling walks and tours, has also been established a Rede de Trilhos de Interpretação Ambiental (Environmental Understanding Trail Network) that includes 5 trails throughout an extension of nearly 20 miles, which covers 25,4 % of the total area of the municipality.
Under construction is Parque Metropolitano da Biodiversidade (Metropolitan Park of Biodiversity), located in Verdizela, civil parish of Corroios, that shall assume an important role in the green and recreational structure of the municipality of Seixal, occupying on a first stage roughly 17 acres. In the future, it will have a total area of 1000 acres, becoming the second largest urban park of the Metropolitan Area of Lisbon, after Monsanto.
Bear in mind having a picnic with your family in the municipal urban parks of Seixal, Serrado, Paivas, Verdizela, Fernão Ferro or Marialva. Or, in a more cultural perspective, take the opportunity to visit the hubs of Ecomuseu Municipal do Seixal (Seixal Municipal Eco-Museum), namely the old cork factory Mundet, Núcleo Naval (Nautic Hub) and Moinho de Maré de Corroios (Corroios Tidal Mill), or even Olaria Romana de Corroios (Corroios Roman Pottery). Lastly, in Fábrica de Pólvora (Gunpowder Factory) at Vale de Milhaços you will be able to explore the black powder circuit and a steam engine still in operation and in Espaço Memória (Memory Space) – Tipografia Popular do Seixal (Seixal Popular Typography) you will be able to enjoy the old printing techniques, reusing work tools and machines that are almost completely excluded from activity.