Santa Olaia Archaeological Site - First Phoenician Finds in Portugal

The site where Portuguese archaeology first confirmed Phoenician presence in 1902. Located on a ridge overlooking the ancient Mondego River estuary (now 20km inland due to silting), Santa Olaia was a strategic trading station with "topographical criteria familiar from Phoenician trading-stations in the Mediterranean."

What to do there

5 things to do

1. 1 Stand Where Portugal First Found the Phoenicians History · Free

   In 1902, amateur archaeologist Antonio dos Santos Rocha dug this hilltop and found the FIRST evidence of Phoenician penetration into Portugal. Not Lisbon. Not the Tagus. Here, on the Mondego River, 20km from the sea.

   Drive to Montes de Santa Olaia near Ereira, 12km from Figueira da Foz (near the A14 exit to Montemor-o-Velho). The site is open and unguarded - free access anytime. Walk the hilltop for views over the Mondego rice fields. During Phoenician occupation this was literally an ISLAND in the estuary. Now it is 20km inland because the river silted up.

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2. 2 See the Pottery Boats Phoenician Sailors Scratched Into Clay History · Price: low

   Archaeologists found 200 plus scratched graffiti on pottery sherds including BOAT DRAWINGS from the dock quarter. Flat boats with high stems and acroteria - the actual ships that docked here 2,500 years ago, drawn by the people who sailed them.

   Visit the Dr. Santos Rocha Municipal Museum in Figueira da Foz (Rua Calouste Gulbenkian 33). Entry: 2 euros adults, 1 euro seniors, 4 euros family. Hours: Tue-Fri 9:30-17:00, Sat 14:00-19:00. The Phoenician pottery from the 1902 excavation is here plus materials from the metallurgical factory found in 1994 during highway construction. The museum founder IS Santos Rocha.

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3. 3 Drink Sparkling Wine From the Region That Makes Two-Thirds of Portugal's Bubbles Wine · Price: moderate

   Bairrada, 40km north of here, produces two-thirds of ALL Portuguese sparkling wine. The local move is bubbly with roast suckling pig - the acidity cuts through the fat perfectly.

   At any Figueira da Foz restaurant, order Bairrada espumante (sparkling wine) made from Baga grapes. If you can find Leitao a Bairrada (wood-fired roast suckling pig with crackling), that is THE pairing. Otherwise order grilled sardines with the sparkling - the beach combo. For still wine, try Dao Encruzado white with seafood.

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4. 4 Eat Where the Fishermen Eat in Buarcos Adventure · Price: low

   Buarcos is a fishing village 1 mile north of Figueira da Foz that still lives by the sea. Smaller restaurants, fewer crowds, better prices. The Buarcos wave is also Europe's longest right-hand point break.

   Walk or drive to Buarcos village north of Figueira da Foz. Find Restaurante A Cantarinha for grilled sardines and octopus salad - 20 plus years serving the fishing community. Or try Maregrafo on the waterfront for daily-catch petiscos: grilled tuna belly, cod-tongue rice, fried anchovies. The insider choice for locals.

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5. 5 Walk Europe's Longest Right-Hand Point Break at Low Tide Adventure · Free · Optional

   When swell and sand align, the Buarcos breaks link into one long reeling right. Surfers describe it in hushed tones as the J-Bay of Portugal.

   At low tide walk north along Tamargueira beach toward Praia do Cabo do Mondego and Praia do Teimoso. Rock formations and tidal pools with zero tourists. If you surf, check Surfline for Buarcos conditions. If not, the Casino da Figueira (oldest casino in the Iberian Peninsula, gaming since 1927) makes for an unexpected evening.

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Insider tips

• The Figueira da Foz municipal museum displays artifacts from the site

• Site is on a ridge with visible house remains and street layout

• Currently 20km from sea but was at head of marine embayment in antiquity