Santa Maria da Feira: A Medieval Treasure in Modern Portugal
Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal is a heavily industrialized city. It is well-known for its cork transforming and shoe factories. It is home to one of the country’s greatest landmarks, Castle of Santa Maria da Feira.
Best Time to Visit
The perfect time to visit Santa Maria da Feira is during the months of April through November, for the best weather. Peak tourist season is usually during the months of May, July, and August. Tourists are least likely to visit in November. Fogaceiras, which is held every January 20, is one of the most famous events in the area. It is a special local holiday commemorating the day the locals offered fogaca, a sweet roll, to St. Sebastien for their deliverance from the dark plague during the Middle Ages. Another event to look forward to is International Street Theatre Festival, which is held every May. It is the country’s biggest street arts event. For 2 days, it features major international productions as well as original works. One of the main highlights of the festival is Mais Imaginarius section, a competition among emerging artists.
What to Do & Area Attractions
When in the area, tourists should visit Castle of Santa Maria da Feira. It is one of the structures that best reflects the diversity of strongholds during the Middle Ages. It has been a national monument since the early 20th century. Another must-see attraction is Perlim, the country’s biggest and most authentic Christmas theme park. Also get to visit the Europarque Conference Center. Many Santa Maria da Feira hotels offer compelling amenities at affordable rates, such as the iBis Porto Sul Europarque. Other options include the 4-star Golden Tulip São João da Madeira Hotel and the Praiagolfe Hotel.