Moinho de Maré da Mourisca

Perfect everyday escape in a uniquely beautiful estuarine area.

In the estuaries of Tejo and Sado, there are some tidal mills, mostly from the 17th century, primarily for the production of ship’s biscuit raw materials. Because you’ve never heard of it: Tidal mills utilize ebbing tidal water as a power source and are located at selected points in estuaries — close enough to the sea to collect as much water as possible during high tide and far enough away to avoid being victims of the waves. Specifically, this operates a system of gears, which in turn set eight millstones in motion. Today, a small museum in the production rooms, used until the 1950s, explains technical details in Portuguese.

The mill is embedded in the vast area of the former Herdade de Mourisca with salt pans and salt marshes, formerly used for rice cultivation. The basins are clearly visible, and if the sun isn’t too hot, you can take a leisurely walk or hike for hours in the wonderful peace and beauty of the place, depending on your mood and fitness level.

Booking a boat tour is more comfortable, preferably online in advance due to limited capacity. Depending on the season, you can observe more or fewer birds, with up to 50,000 specimens of sometimes rare species nesting here — it’s nice to see, even if you have no idea. You can also just sit in front of the café. If there’s a perfect place to order a glass of Moscatel with a pastry, it’s here. If you’re quick enough, you’ll get a piece of almond cake with the typical scallop shell, otherwise, opt for the great pastries from Confeitaria S. Julião. For the evening at home, you can buy the wines of Herdade de Gambia for a fair price, which is also worth a visit, especially with small children.