Caldas da Rainha is located approximately 15 km from Praia D’El Rey, on the northern side of the Óbidos lagoon. Steeped in history, this bustling market town has a wide range of excellent museums, shops and restaurants, and is well worth a visit.
Caldas da Rainha is home to many educational institutions, including some of Portugal’s most esteemed theatre, film and design schools. The modern Centro Cultural e Congressos (CCC) hosts regular concerts and performances, including ballet, film, opera and plays.
The city is also famous for its whimsical glazed ceramics (Loiça das Caldas). Local ceramicist, Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro, created the ubiquitous cabbage-shaped soup tureens and dinnerware used in homes throughout Portugal and exported worldwide. Some of his most famous designs can be seen at the Museum of Ceramics in Caldas da Rainha.
The streets are clustered around the main square, where the colourful Praça da Fruta market is held every morning. Caldas has a vibrant pedestrianised downtown shopping area, with a variety of shops specialising in clothing, jewellery and homewares, and a large multiplex cinema in the Vivaci Shopping Centre. There are also several internationally known retail chains in Caldas, including E Leclerc, Intermarche, Staples, Lidl and Aldi. Visitors can also take a stroll around the romantic Parque D. Carlos I.
[tabs] [tab title=”Culture and History” icon=”icon-key”]Founded in the 15th century by Queen Leonor, Caldas is famous for the thermal spa hospital established by the queen on the site of its therapeutic hot springs. Over 500 years old, this hospital is one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the world and still offers curative treatments for skin and bone ailments.[/tab] [tab title=”Sports and nature” icon=”icon-leaf”]The western edge of the city is home to a new municipal sports complex, which includes a rugby field and a running track. The field is also used for football matches, and tennis courts and badminton courts have recently been added. The municipal swimming pools are also located nearby.[/tab] [tab title=”Gastronomy” icon=”icon-food”]Typical dishes: Ensopados de Enguias, Caldeiradas, Mariscos da Lagoa Regional Desserts: Cavacas, Beijinhos, Trouxas das Caldas, Lampreias, Pão-de-ló do Landal[/tab] [/tabs]