Greater Lisbon's Natural & Prehistoric Wonders

Greater Lisbon hides a wealth of geological and ancient human history. This collection spans the Neolithic dolmens of Loures and Mafra, the Paleolithic cave systems of the Bombarral valley, and the hidden waterfalls of the Mourão River. Highlights include the Tholos of Tituaria, a rare copper-age beehive tomb, and the Gruta Nova da Columbeira, which provided evidence of Neanderthal occupation. These sites offer a glimpse into the region's prehistoric landscapes and early architectural efforts.

Roundtheworld / CC BY-SA 4.0

Praia das Maçãs Prehistoric Monument

The Praia das Maçãs Prehistoric Monument, also known as the Tholos of Outeiro das Mós, consists of an artificial Neolithic cave and a…

Monumento Megalítico de Casaínhos

Also known as the Anta de Casaínhos, this Neolithic dolmen in Loures features a large limestone chamber. It is a classified Property of Public Interest.

Cascata dos Pisões

A secluded waterfall located near the historic center of Sintra, fed by the Ribeira de Sintra.

Cascata alta

Part of the Mourão River cascade system, this waterfall drops into a rocky pool surrounded by dense vegetation.

Cascat de Anços ou Cascata de escada

A multi-tiered waterfall on the Mourão River near the village of Anços, featuring natural limestone steps.

Cascata

A small cascade located along the Mourão River hiking trail in the Sintra-Mafra border region.

Cascata do Rio Galvão

A waterfall located in the Galvão valley, part of a rugged landscape known for its prehistoric cave sites.

Cascata da Ribeira do Boição

A seasonal waterfall situated in the Bucelas wine region, flowing over limestone cliffs into the Boição stream.

Anta de Carcavelos

A megalithic tomb in Loures dating back to the 3rd millennium BC, used for collective burials during the Chalcolithic period.

Gruta dos Bolhos - Gruta Casal da Lebre

An archaeological cave site containing remains from the Neolithic and Chalcolithic eras.

Tholos da Tituaria

A rare example of a Chalcolithic beehive tomb (tholos) built with dry-stone masonry, located in the Mafra municipality.

Gruta do Pego do Diabo

A Paleolithic cave site in Loures that has yielded significant findings regarding Neanderthal survival and early human occupation.

Anta do Alto da Toupeira

A prehistoric burial monument located on a hilltop in Loures, representative of the region's megalithic culture.

Gruta da Lapa da Rainha

A cave located in the Montejunto mountain range, historically used for shelter and archaeological study.

Gruta do Caixão

A cave in the Bombarral region, part of a complex used by prehistoric communities for habitation.

Abrigo da Lapa Larga

A rock shelter in the Columbeira valley containing archaeological layers from the Upper Paleolithic.

Gruta Nova da Columbeira

One of Portugal's most important Middle Paleolithic sites, notable for providing evidence of Neanderthal occupation.

Pedreiras Velhas

A cave and archaeological site located near Cadaval, featuring evidence of early human activity.

Dólmen de Monte Serves

A megalithic burial chamber situated on the Monte Serves hills, overlooking the Tagus valley.

Gruta das Pulgas

A cave in the Galvão valley archaeological complex, studied for its prehistoric occupational strata.

Gruta da Lapa do Suão

A prehistoric cave used as a necropolis during the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods, located in the Bombarral area.

Fojo dos Morcegos

A deep natural sinkhole or vertical cave located in the limestone landscape of Sintra.

Gruta da Arranchada

A limestone cave in the Sintra region, part of the local karst topography.

Gruta da Samarra

A cave located near the Samarra cliffs, known for its proximity to archaeological sites and coastal views.