LOURES
The municipality of Loures has several points of interest, from rural constructions, such as quintas, mills and wine cellars, to other monuments of significance for Portuguese history and culture. The famous and valued light and aromatic white wine of Bucelas is made in this municipality, and a wine and harvest festival is held in the second weekend of October.  A natural highlight in the north of the municipality is the Parque Municipal do Cabeço de Montachique, with 32 hectares of woodland, fauna and flora, and in the east is the Parque do Tejo, a zone of calm waters that is a privileged place to watch various species of birds, particularly the exuberant flamingos.  Religious monuments include the Igreja Matriz de Loures, a 16th century church, and the Palácio dos Arcebispos which was reconstructed in the 18th century and has interesting figures on its stairs. The Castelo de Pirescoxe, dating from the 15th century, still has embattled medieval towers, now rebuilt with an auditorium and exhibition rooms. You can also visit the Museu Municipal de Loures, inaugurated in 1998, with temporary and permanent exhibitions (agricultural implements, rural furniture) and the Museu de Cerâmica, inaugurated in 2000, where you can visit exhibitions of pottery manufactured in the Sacavém pottery factory and also kiln 18.
www.cm-loures.pt



VILA FRANCA DE XIRA
Land of horses and bulls, the municipality of Vila Franca de Xira is a perfect place to visit quintas and farms, and also offers rich regional gastronomy and excellent wines. You will find several places of cultural interest, including the Santuário do Senhor da Boa Morte.This important monument is the oldest sanctuary in the region, dating back to the Roman era. Set on a hillside, the Sanctuary is in a wonderful location, with superb views over the town and the estuary. On the south bank of the Tagus, you will find in the heart of the "lezíria" plains the Ermida de Nossa Senhora de Alcamé, built in a monumental neoclassical style. In the town, don’t forget to visit the Igreja do Mártir Santo, transformed into the centre for Sacred Art of the Museu Municipal de Vila Franca, and also Museu Etnográfico, which exhibits some of the most typical and traditional objects of the region. For a typical event, go to the Festas do Colete Encarnado, held in July and the occasion for many traditional regional activities.
www.cm-vfxira.pt