Alvaiázere

The parish church in the centre of Alvaiazere has a simple but attractive facade and a cool, quiet interior. The churchyard is a pleasant spot to rest. Small town churches like this are the heartbeat of rural Portugal, and visiting them connects you to the daily life of the communities you are passing through.

Alvaiazere sits on a ridge above the surrounding countryside. After days of flat walking along the Tagus, the change in elevation is noticeable. Walk to the edge of town and look back south across the landscape you have crossed. The olive groves and pine forests stretch to the horizon. The terrain is changing, and so is the character of the Camino.

The region around Alvaiazere produces excellent olive oil and local cheeses. The restaurants in town serve simple, honest food: soups, grilled meats, and salads dressed with local oil. Try the queijo de ovelha (sheep's cheese) if it is on the menu. The bread in this part of Portugal is also notably good, baked in wood-fired ovens in the surrounding villages.