Guide to Route 1119: from Leceia’s prehistoric heritage to the Paço de Arcos coast
Route 1119 connects Leceia, Vila Fria and Porto Salvo to Paço de Arcos North Station, crossing an area of Oeiras that combines archaeological heritage, green spaces, shopping, culture and the riverside landscape of the Tagus.
The route begins at the Copper Age Roundabout in Leceia and gradually descends through Vila Fria and the outskirts of Porto Salvo toward Estrada de Paço de Arcos. It is a journey through predominantly residential and service areas, but it also provides access to some of the municipality’s most interesting spaces.
At the final section, near Paço de Arcos North Station, the route approaches cultural facilities, the village’s historic center and pedestrian connections to Paço de Arcos Garden, the beach and the seafront promenade. With 15 departures toward Paço de Arcos on weekdays, 14 on Saturdays and 13 on Sundays and public holidays, the route can be used both for practical journeys and for short exploratory outings.
Notice: the distances indicated are approximate and estimated from the coordinates provided for the route and the known location of each site. Frequency, fares and the operator should be confirmed before traveling, according to the service’s updated information.
| Location | Category | Nearest stop/section | Approximate distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leceia Fortified Settlement | Archaeological heritage | Leceia (Copper Age Roundabout) | About 350 meters |
| Barcarena Gunpowder Factory | Culture, leisure and dining | Leceia (Copper Age Roundabout) | About 1.4 kilometers |
| Poets’ Park | Urban park and culture | Paço de Arcos (North Station) | About 900 meters |
| Oeiras Parque | Shopping center and cinema | Paço de Arcos (North Station) | About 1.2 kilometers |
| Antique Automobile Museum | Museum | Paço de Arcos (North Station) | About 600 meters |
| Palace of Arcos | Heritage and hospitality | Paço de Arcos (North Station) | About 350 meters |
| Paço de Arcos Garden and Paço de Arcos Beach | Leisure, beach and dining | Paço de Arcos (North Station) | Between 700 meters and 1.1 kilometers |
Leceia Fortified Settlement
Right at the beginning of the route is one of Oeiras’s most important archaeological sites. The Leceia Fortified Settlement, also known as the prehistoric settlement of Leceia, was occupied for around a thousand years, between the Late Neolithic and the Chalcolithic, and preserves defensive structures, walls and remains of a community that lived in the region thousands of years ago.
The archaeological site is located on elevated ground above the Barcarena stream valley, which helps explain its strategic importance. It is a particularly interesting stop for those who enjoy history, archaeology and open landscapes, although visitors should pay attention to pedestrian access and site conditions.
- 📍 Location: Rua Sete de Junho, Leceia, Barcarena, Oeiras.
- 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Leceia (Copper Age Roundabout), about 350 meters away.
- 🏷️ Category: Archaeological heritage and outdoor space.
- ⭐ Distinguishing feature: One of the most important known Chalcolithic settlements in Portugal, with around a thousand years of prehistoric occupation.
Barcarena Gunpowder Factory
The former Barcarena Gunpowder Factory transformed a historic industrial complex into a center for culture, leisure and discovery. The site includes the Black Gunpowder Museum, gardens, exhibition areas, facilities for artistic activities, dining spaces and venues prepared for outdoor performances.
Although it lies outside the immediate axis of Estrada de Paço de Arcos, it is one of the best extensions for an outing from the northern end of the route. A visit combines industrial heritage with a walk beside the Barcarena stream, in a setting very different from the urban and residential environment of Leceia and Vila Fria.
- 📍 Location: Estrada do Cacém, Barcarena, Oeiras.
- 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Leceia (Copper Age Roundabout), about 1.4 kilometers away.
- 🏷️ Category: Cultural center, museum, park and leisure hub.
- ⭐ Distinguishing feature: Combines industrial heritage, green spaces, exhibitions, dining and cultural programming in the same complex.
Poets’ Park
Upon arriving in Paço de Arcos, Poets’ Park offers one of Oeiras’s most striking experiences. The park functions as an open-air museum dedicated to Portuguese-language poetry, with sculptures, landscaped paths and spaces for contemplation spread across a large green area.
Among paths, lakes, gardens and works of art, visitors find references to poets from different periods and Portuguese-speaking countries. The Temple of Poetry and the Voltas & Versos electric tour service reinforce the site’s cultural vocation, while the park is also suitable for walks, moments of rest and family activities.
- 📍 Location: Area surrounding Rua A Gazeta D’Oeiras, Oeiras.
- 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Paço de Arcos (North Station), about 900 meters away.
- 🏷️ Category: Urban park, public art and culture.
- ⭐ Distinguishing feature: Brings together dozens of sculptures of poets and a cultural route integrated into an extensive green area.
Oeiras Parque
For those looking for shopping, dining and entertainment in one place, Oeiras Parque is the main commercial option near the final section of Route 1119. The center includes fashion, technology, home décor and service stores, dining and leisure facilities, as well as cinemas.
It is a practical way to complete the journey with a shopping or dining activity, especially on rainy days or when the preference is for activities concentrated in an enclosed space. The facility also includes support services such as parking, a pharmacy, Wi-Fi and Citizen Space, according to the information provided by the shopping center itself.
- 📍 Location: Avenida António Bernardo Cabral de Macedo, Oeiras.
- 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Paço de Arcos (North Station), about 1.2 kilometers away.
- 🏷️ Category: Shopping center, dining and cinema.
- ⭐ Distinguishing feature: Concentrates shops, restaurants, services and cinema screenings in one of the municipality’s main shopping hubs.
Antique Automobile Museum
Near the station, the Antique Automobile Museum presents a collection of cars and motorcycles spanning different periods in the history of road transport. The collection includes vehicles produced between the beginning of the 20th century and 1995, creating a short and intriguing visit for enthusiasts of mechanics, design and industrial history.
Located on Alameda Calouste Gulbenkian, the museum is a good choice for a brief cultural activity before or after a train journey. Its location, just a few minutes from Paço de Arcos North Station, makes it easy to combine Bus 1119, rail transport and a walk through the village center.
- 📍 Location: Alameda Calouste Gulbenkian, 7, Paço de Arcos.
- 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Paço de Arcos (North Station), about 600 meters away.
- 🏷️ Category: Museum and automotive heritage.
- ⭐ Distinguishing feature: Brings together historic cars and motorcycles in a space connected to the Portuguese Antique Automobile Club.
Palace of Arcos
The Palace of Arcos is one of Paço de Arcos’s historic landmarks and gave the locality its name. The building originated as an old noble residence dating from the late 15th century and was later rebuilt, preserving features such as the turrets, the balcony supported by arches, the chapel and the surrounding gardens.
Currently associated with a hotel, the complex remains a strong presence in the historic center and deserves to be viewed as part of a walk through the village’s old streets. Its proximity to the station makes the palace one of the easiest visits to fit into the route, even for those with little time.
- 📍 Location: Largo Conde das Alcáçovas, Paço de Arcos.
- 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Paço de Arcos (North Station), about 350 meters away.
- 🏷️ Category: Historic heritage, gardens and hospitality.
- ⭐ Distinguishing feature: It is the monument associated with the origin of Paço de Arcos’s name and preserves a rare combination of manor-house architecture, a chapel and landscaped areas.
Paço de Arcos Garden and the village’s historic center
Passengers getting off at North Station can walk to Paço de Arcos Garden and the historic urban center, an area characterized by squares, old streets, local shops and references to the local fishing tradition. The garden provides a pleasant pause between the station and the riverside.
The area is also known for hosting local events, such as antiques markets and traditional festivals. It is a good option for an unhurried walk, with the possibility of continuing to Praça da República, the Palace of Arcos and the center’s dining streets.
- 📍 Location: Paço de Arcos Public Garden and the village’s historic center.
- 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Paço de Arcos (North Station), about 700 meters away.
- 🏷️ Category: Urban garden, historic center and leisure.
- ⭐ Distinguishing feature: Offers a locally scaled walk, with a village atmosphere, heritage and easy access to the riverside area.
Paço de Arcos Beach
To end the journey beside the Tagus, Paço de Arcos Beach is the most suitable destination. Also known as New Beach, it has a moderately sized sandy area, support facilities, dining venues and a connection to the Oeiras seafront promenade.
The beach is located in a community with a fishing tradition and allows visitors to extend their walk to Fishermen’s Beach, also known as Old Beach. Outside the bathing season, the site remains interesting for walking, observing the Tagus estuary and enjoying Paço de Arcos’s maritime atmosphere.
- 📍 Location: Avenida Marginal, Paço de Arcos, Oeiras.
- 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Paço de Arcos (North Station), between 1 and 1.1 kilometers away.
- 🏷️ Category: Beach, seafront promenade, sports and dining.
- ⭐ Distinguishing feature: Combines a sandy beach, riverside frontage, outdoor activities and restaurants in one of Oeiras’s most traditional coastal areas.
Route 1119 is particularly useful for connecting Oeiras’s inland communities with the Paço de Arcos area. On the outward journey, passengers can get off in Leceia to visit the fortified settlement or use the area as a starting point for the Gunpowder Factory. Upon arrival, North Station serves as a gateway to the Antique Automobile Museum, the Palace of Arcos, the historic center, Poets’ Park, Oeiras Parque and the seafront. For a more relaxed journey, it is worth checking the schedule for the chosen direction in advance, especially on Sundays and public holidays, when there are fewer departures.