In this event, we'll be organising a boat trip, lasting approximately 3 hours, in which we'll get to know the northern part of Alcochete, in the heart of the Tagus Estuary Nature Reserve, and we'll also have time for an incursion as close as possible to the Vasco da Gama Bridge. Don't miss this opportunity to get a unique perspective on Alcochete's riverside area, as well as the estuarine zone, where more than 120,000 birds of various species nest and pass through, all on board a typical Tagus boat. Another event not to be missed!

Boat trip in the Tagus Estuary Nature Reserve

The municipality of Alcochete has around 90% of its territory classified as a protected area and nature network and is home to one of the country's richest natural heritages in terms of ecosystems and biodiversity. The municipality of Alcochete encompasses the most important wetland in the country and one of the most important in Europe, classified as a Nature Reserve, a status it was given due to the diversity of migratory birds that choose the estuary as their habitat during the winter.

During migration periods, the Tagus Estuary Nature Reserve is home to more than 120,000 birds, including around 75% of the entire wintering population of Recurvirostra avoseta (tailor) in Europe, as well as internationally important concentrations of other waterfowl species. Also noteworthy is the community of flamingos that beautify and add colour to the area all year round. In addition to the biological value of the estuary, which is rich in living creatures, the Tagus Estuary is of historical and identity importance in terms of the municipality's traditional activities, such as salt farming, which is now considered one of the municipality's biggest economic activities.

Salt farming in Alcochete

Located on the banks of the River Tagus, the salt pans are still a living example of what was, for a long time, Alcochete's main economic activity - salt farming. After being extracted from the huge tanks still visible in the Tagus Estuary, the salt was then transported to the Lisbon quays and exported abroad. The weakening of sailing, the self-sufficiency of traditional salt-consuming countries, the appearance of refrigeration systems and their implementation on cod fishing vessels were some of the factors that weakened salt production and, consequently, its economic loss. Faced with this scenario, few salt pans were able to withstand the new situation. Alcochete was no exception either.