About this experience
On this tour, you'll visit Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park, a protected park since 1979 that stands in the most important repository of limestone formation in the country. Here you have the chance to visit a variety of geological formations associated with karst topography such as salt pans, caves, poljes, ponors and sinkholes, among others.
Besides that, Tugabuddies is a sightseeing tour agency that has been creating and delivering customized tours through the Center and West of Portugal (and a few other stunning places) since April 2016.
We focus on carefully preparing each experience to meet all customer’s expectations and tastes. Our team’s work is based on the passion we all share for our home country, Portugal, but also on knowledge, experience and a great will to serve with care and quality.
We won’t just be your tour guide; we will be Your Portuguese Best Friend!
At a glance
- Duration: 8 hr–9 hr
- Private experience
Plan your experience
Set aside 8 hr–9 hr for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Before you go
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
What is included
- Private transportation
- Pick up and drop off in your accomodation
- Bottled water
- WiFi on board
- Mira D'Aire Caves entrance
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Knowledgeable guide
Not included
- Lunch
- Gratuities
Itinerary and highlights
The Rio Maior Salt Pans are a natural phenomenon, far away from the sea, still working nowadays and for at least 900 years.
The water from this spring is seven times more salty than sea water, and some say that these salt pans were already explored by Romans and Moors.
In this old quarry you will find dinosaur footprints belonging to the Middle Jurassic Period, with about 170 million years age. The owners of such footprints were recognized as theropod dinosaurs (2 feet) and sauropods (4 feet).
Discovered in 1985, the Algar do Pena cave is a 35 meters deep pothole with a huge chamber at the bottom. This is the biggest natural chamber of Portugal and where you can find numerous speleothems.
Elected one of the 7 wonders of Portugal, these caves were discovered in 1947. The entrance is 300 metres above the sea level, but inside they reach 180 meters in depth. Their formation goes back 150 million years to the Middle Jurassic age, when the dinosaurs populated this region.
The Polje of Minde or "Sea of Minde", as it is commonly known, is a large karstic depression located between the villages of Mira d'Aire and Minde, which becomes frequently flooded during the rainiest winters. The lake created by the flood gives this place an impressive landscape with a unique fauna
The Fórnea is a pronounced amphitheatre-shaped retreat from a low zone into a limestone plateau. Apart from the scientific explanation, the locals call it, to this day, Fôrnea because of its shape which resembles an oven.
Here we will go for a hike to Cova Velha springs, passing by the Fórnea's brook and its cascade.
A swing with a magnificient view over the surrounding areas of the Natural Park.
Meeting and pickup information
- Your Portuguese Best Friend will pick you up at your accommodation and take you on a memorable experience.
Languages and tickets
- Portuguese — Guide
- English — Guide
- French — Guide
- Spanish — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Tugabuddies
Meeting points and locations
Accessibility and practical details
- Service animals allowed
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Questions about this experience
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