On the shores of the Tagus river lies the stunning but dilapidated Quinta da Arealva. It’s a former winery and now fully abandoned, but a unique urban art destination for urban explorers.
Where is Quinta da Arealva?
Cais do Ginjal is often called the best sunset in Lisbon. It’s hard not to be wowed by either of the two restaurants as the sun sets on the Tagus River. It’s rapidly becoming one of the top ‘Lisbon’ must dos, despite technically being on the wrong side of the River and in Almada. With the reopened elevator from the heights of Almada, the area is now even more accessible!
However, continue along the riverside just a little bit further and you’ll discover a rather ‘unique’ abandoned winery – Quinta da Arealva. This area is not just for urban explorers. It’s full of impressive artwork and murals, and offers incredible views of the 25 April Bridge, downtown Lisbon, and views of both up and down the Tagus River. Quinta da Arealva has been known as a ‘secret’ spot for a few years, but now been made even more famous after it was featured in several scenes from Netflix’s Spanish TV show Money Heist (La Casa da Papel).
How to get to Quinta da Arealva?
The majority of Lisbon’s visitors will be staying on the north side of the Tagus River, in central Lisbon. Quinta da Arealva is located in Cacilhas, Almada. Typically, a ferry ride, or bus/train ride away. We prefer to take the ferry from Cais do Sodre. With the water front breeze and short trip across the river it just feels so much more Lisbon. The ferry port is also the starting point of our hike along Rua do Ginjal, so this is what we recommend.
Rua do Ginjal – The start of our Urban Hike
Your first introduction to a more faded but no less charming Lisbon is along the riverside and Rua do Ginjal. As you walk west, you’ll come across rusting docks, abandoned warehouses, and the first signs of graffiti and murals. It’s a great riverside walk, with some impressive views of the river and the April 25th bridge looming ahead. It’s usually pretty quiet, except for a few local fishermen, and depending on the time of day, tourists heading to Ponto Final and Atira-te ao Rio.
Praia das Lavadeiras and Cais do Ginja
Keep walking for long enough and you’ll soon come across Praia das Lavadeiras. It is a rather industrial beach surrounded by steep walls. It’s here you’ll find Ponto Final, and its less famous neighbour Atira-te ao Rio. If both restaurants are busy it can look like this is a private area, but rest assured you can continue to walk through the tables and continue along Rua do Ginjal.
The Panoramic Elevator and Jardim do Rio
On the other side of the restaurants you’ll find the Panoramic elevator – Elevador Panorâmico da Boca do Vento. If you chose to start this walk from Almada, this is the easiest place to access the riverside. The elevator is free, so can get busy to queue for it, especially around sunset. Continuing past the elevator you’ll soon come across Jardim do Rio. It’s a cute park that’s very popular with locals, and less so with tourists. However, it does offer a nice place to chill out by the riverside. Just don’t expect anything over than a shady spot to take in the views. Keep an eye out for the friendly cats. The park is their home and they’re looked after by the locals and an association. Despite being strays, they’re quite friendly!
Keep walking along the river and you’ll find more abandoned warehouses, and in a now largely derelict industrial area, the Museu Naval de Almada – The Naval Museum of Almada. The museum exhibits various collections and items on the areas’ ship building and contribution to naval history. It’s small, niche interest, but fascinating for anyone with an interest in local history. It’s only open from Monday to Friday, so any weekend visitors will find it closed. From here it’s not far to our destination Quinta da Arealva, that you’ll find if you continue along the river front.
Quinta da Arealva
When you arrive at Quinta da Arealva there’s several directions you can go. A relatively straight path that goes right through the middle of the site, up through a staircase in the middle of a set of warehouses and takes you out to the other side. This route takes you to a shaded forest path that takes you away from the industrial area and into a smaller former living area complete with a garden and tiled annex with some incredible views. However, taking this route you will skip many of the more original and hidden pieces of artwork. We’re assuming that if you made Quinta da Arealva your destination you do want to explore a little and not just cut straight through the warehouses.
However, if you are going to explore you do need to be careful. There are multiple buildings, staircases, and levels to explore the area fully. Many paths lead to dead ends, or completely destroyed buildings so definitely keep an eye on your surroundings.
Jardim da Quinta da Arealva
The main staircase of the warehouses is how you can leave the area, and it will lead you to the previously mentioned garden area. From here you can continue west along the river. You’ll soon find a very steep hill, and rising above it, the famous Cristo Rei. Heading in this direction combines the hidden and more secretive tourist activity of Quinta da Arealva, with one of the most famous sites in Almada.
If you make the steep hike, Cristo Rei’s coffee shop is a great place to refuel before getting a further look into Lisbon. Alternatively, you can of course head back up the river and along Rua do Ginjal. Maybe even stopping at Ponto Final before heading back to Cacillhas.
Know before you go:
Partly demolished buildings, broken staircases, uneven flooring, and plenty of urban decay and litter. Safe to say that this is a truly abandoned area and explorers are advised to proceed cautiously. Stick to the main route through the warehouses and watch your step. It really does seem that every corner you turn leads you to some more impressive artwork, but it is important not to get too distracted.
yeah, awesome place, although I know it only superficially and I plan to visit it next time. Thx for tips