Guide to Line 2506: Heritage, Parks, and Flavors between Milharado and Ponte de Lousa

With only three departures in each direction on weekdays, line 2506 connects Milharado, in the municipality of Mafra, with Ponte de Lousa, in Loures, crossing a saloia area where small localities, green spaces, historic churches, and traditional restaurants appear alongside the road.

The route begins in the Casal do Sapo area, passes through the center of Milharado, and continues through Casal Pedregulho, Póvoa da Galega, and Vale de São Gião. It is a journey marked by residential streets, agricultural fields, and small community centers, with Avenida de Portugal concentrating some of the main options for a gastronomic break.

In the second half, the line enters the municipality of Loures, crosses Cabeço de Montachique, and follows EN 374-2 to Lousa. Here, the setting becomes more closely linked to local heritage: churches, fountains, public gardens, sports facilities, and archaeological remains form an interesting itinerary for those wishing to explore the region on foot from the stops.

Notice: the distances indicated are approximate and estimated from the coordinates provided for the route and the public locations of the establishments and points of interest. According to the data provided, the line operates with three outbound and three return departures only on weekdays; there are no departures on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays. The fare and operator were not provided.

Location	Category	Nearest stop/section	Approximate distance
Church of São Miguel de Milharado	Religious heritage	Av. 25 Abril 52, Milharado	Approximately 400 meters
Póvoa da Galega Urban Park	Park and leisure	Póvoa da Galega (Chafariz)	Approximately 200 meters
Church of Nossa Senhora do Bom Sucesso	Religious heritage	Póvoa da Galega (Chafariz)	Approximately 500 meters
Estrela da Sorte	Café and social gathering	Av. de Portugal 22 or Av. de Portugal 8	Approximately 150 meters
Churrasqueira O Telheiro	Traditional restaurant	Av. de Portugal 22	Approximately 100 meters
Grandella Sanatorium	Historical heritage	R. Dr. Catanho de Menezes or R. Fetão 41	Approximately 1.5 kilometers
Parish Church of São Pedro de Lousa	Religious heritage	EN 374-2 4, Lousa	Approximately 350 meters
Fonte das Escadinhas	Heritage and public space	EN 374-2, Lousa	Approximately 350 meters
Lousa Public Garden	Park and leisure	EN 374-2, Lousa	Approximately 200 meters
Anta de Carcavelos	Archaeological site	EN 374-2 4, Lousa	Approximately 1 kilometer

Church of São Miguel de Milharado

Right at the beginning of the route, the line provides access to the historic center of Milharado, where the Church of São Miguel is located, also known as the Parish Church of Milharado. The temple preserves Manueline elements and has been classified as a property of public interest, with the main portal and the churchyard cross standing out.

It is an especially interesting stop for those who want to begin their tour with the region’s religious heritage. The church is near Largo de São Miguel and parish facilities, forming a small visitor area that can be explored without extensive travel.

📍 Location: Largo de São Miguel, Milharado, Mafra.
🚏 Nearest line stop/section and approximate distance: Av. 25 Abril 52, in Milharado; approximately 400 meters.
🏷️ Category: Religious and historical heritage.
⭐ Distinguishing feature: Manueline elements, a historic cross, and classification as a property of public interest.

Póvoa da Galega Urban Park

In Póvoa da Galega, the Urban Park is line 2506’s best option for an outdoor break. The space was created beside a riverside area and offers a lawn, rest areas, a children’s playground, a picnic area, sanitary facilities, and paths with permeable paving.

The park also forms part of an ecological corridor associated with the local landscape, making it suitable for families, short walks, and moments of rest between one journey and another. The Póvoa da Galega (Chafariz) stop leaves visitors practically on the access route to the space.

📍 Location: Rua das Lages, beside Avenida Estrada Real, Póvoa da Galega, Mafra.
🚏 Nearest line stop/section and approximate distance: Póvoa da Galega (Chafariz); approximately 200 meters.
🏷️ Category: Urban park, leisure, and nature.
⭐ Distinguishing feature: Riverside area with a lawn, children’s playground, picnic area, and paths for peaceful walks.

Church of Nossa Senhora do Bom Sucesso

A few minutes’ walk from Póvoa da Galega Urban Park is the Church of Nossa Senhora do Bom Sucesso, one of the locality’s main cultural landmarks. The temple, with its simple architecture and striking presence, is also a stopping point on the Póvoa da Galega Route, a walking trail combining heritage, agricultural fields, mills, and rural landscapes.

The visit can be combined with the park: first, take a walk beside the green area and then detour through the village streets to see the church and experience the atmosphere of a village in the saloia region.

📍 Location: Póvoa da Galega, parish of Milharado, Mafra.
🚏 Nearest line stop/section and approximate distance: Póvoa da Galega (Chafariz); approximately 500 meters.
🏷️ Category: Religious heritage and walking tourism.
⭐ Distinguishing feature: It forms part of the Póvoa da Galega Route, connecting to agricultural landscapes and windmills.

Estrela da Sorte

For those who prefer a quick stop, Estrela da Sorte serves as a local meeting place on Avenida de Portugal. The café is located in Póvoa da Galega’s commercial center, close to other neighborhood businesses and public facilities, making it a practical option for having coffee or taking a break during the journey.

Its proximity to the stops on Avenida de Portugal is one of its main advantages. Since the line travels along successive points on the avenue, access is possible from the Av. de Portugal 22 stop, the Av. de Portugal 8 stop, or the section near the intersection with Rua Ponte das Voltas.

📍 Location: Avenida de Portugal, 29, Póvoa da Galega, Milharado.
🚏 Nearest line stop/section and approximate distance: Av. de Portugal 22 or Av. de Portugal 8; approximately 150 meters.
🏷️ Category: Café and local commerce.
⭐ Distinguishing feature: A neighborhood meeting place on one of the line’s busiest commercial sections.

Churrasqueira O Telheiro

Also on Avenida de Portugal, Churrasqueira O Telheiro represents the route’s most evident gastronomic side. The restaurant is known for its traditional Portuguese grilled-food style, with an informal atmosphere and a focus on generous meals, relaxed lunches, and takeout food.

It is a convenient choice for those getting off at the successive stops in Póvoa da Galega, especially near numbers 22 and 33A on Avenida de Portugal. The establishment fits the character of a line crossing small localities, where nearby restaurants play an important role in community life.

📍 Location: Avenida de Portugal, 23A, Póvoa da Galega, Milharado.
🚏 Nearest line stop/section and approximate distance: Av. de Portugal 22; approximately 100 meters.
🏷️ Category: Grilled-food restaurant and traditional restaurant.
⭐ Distinguishing feature: Home-style Portuguese cuisine, an informal atmosphere, and the option of eating on-site or taking food away.

Grandella Sanatorium

As it passes through Cabeço de Montachique, the line comes near one of the most curious examples of local heritage: the ruins of the former Grandella Sanatorium, also known as the Albergaria Grandella Sanatorium. The complex was planned as a hospital, but was never completed, remaining a historical reference in the landscape of Lousa.

The site is not beside the main road and requires a longer walk from the stops in Cabeço de Montachique. It is therefore an option for those intending to take an exploratory walk, with suitable footwear and attention to access conditions, while always respecting any restricted or hazardous areas.

📍 Location: Parish of Lousa, municipality of Loures, in the Montachique area.
🚏 Nearest line stop/section and approximate distance: R. Dr. Catanho de Menezes or R. Fetão 41, in Cabeço de Montachique; approximately 1.5 kilometers.
🏷️ Category: Historical heritage and ruined architecture.
⭐ Distinguishing feature: The legacy of a never-completed hospital project and one of the region’s most distinctive historical references.

Parish Church of São Pedro de Lousa

On the final section, the Parish Church of São Pedro serves as a gateway to Lousa’s traditional center. A temple has stood on the site since the 16th century, and the church preserves a Manueline side door dated 1546, as well as 18th-century tiles in the chancel and religious paintings from the same period.

The stop on EN 374-2 allows for a short walk to the center of the village. The visit is even more worthwhile when combined with Fonte das Escadinhas and the Public Garden, both nearby and integrated into Lousa’s historic setting.

📍 Location: Largo Paroquial, Lousa, Loures.
🚏 Nearest line stop/section and approximate distance: EN 374-2 4, in Lousa; approximately 350 meters.
🏷️ Category: Religious and historical heritage.
⭐ Distinguishing feature: A 1546 Manueline door, 18th-century tiles, and a connection to the locality’s 16th-century past.

Fonte das Escadinhas

Fonte das Escadinhas is one of Lousa’s small urban treasures. Built in 1837, the fountain is decorated with a tiled panel depicting a rural scene, in a composition that combines the fountain’s public function with Portuguese artistic tradition.

The site is near the Parish Council, sports facilities, and the village center. It is a quick stop, but it helps show how Lousa’s heritage is distributed through everyday spaces, among streets, squares, and community buildings.

📍 Location: Rua do Beco, Lousa, Loures.
🚏 Nearest line stop/section and approximate distance: EN 374-2, in Lousa; approximately 350 meters.
🏷️ Category: Urban heritage and historic fountain.
⭐ Distinguishing feature: A 1837 fountain with a rural-themed tiled panel.

Lousa Public Garden

For an unhurried break, Lousa Public Garden is one of the most practical choices at the end of the line. The space is used for community activities, cultural gatherings, and parish initiatives, serving as a social area in the center of the village.

The garden also offers free wireless internet access, a convenience that is uncommon in public spaces in small localities. Its proximity to EN 8 and the parish center makes it easy to include in a short walk from line 2506.

📍 Location: Central Lousa, beside the EN 8 corridor.
🚏 Nearest line stop/section and approximate distance: EN 374-2, in Lousa; approximately 200 meters.
🏷️ Category: Public garden, leisure, and social gathering.
⭐ Distinguishing feature: Community space with free wireless internet access.

Anta de Carcavelos

Those wishing to extend their walk from Lousa can seek out Anta de Carcavelos, a megalithic monument located in the parish. The archaeological site dates from the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods and forms part of the network of prehistoric landmarks in the municipality of Loures.

The site is farther from the stops than Lousa’s central points and requires an additional walk, but it offers a different perspective on the region: before today’s churches, fountains, and villages, these hills were already occupied and used by prehistoric communities.

📍 Location: Lugar de Carcavelos, parish of Lousa, Loures.
🚏 Nearest line stop/section and approximate distance: EN 374-2 4, in Lousa; approximately 1 kilometer.
🏷️ Category: Archaeological site and historical tourism.
⭐ Distinguishing feature: A dolmen associated with the Neolithic-Chalcolithic period and Lousa’s archaeological landscape.

Line 2506 is not a service for those seeking frequent journeys or spontaneous outings: there are only three departures in each direction on weekdays. However, with planning, it works as a route for discovering the saloia region. The best strategy is to choose the section in advance—Milharado for heritage and cafés, Póvoa da Galega for the park and gastronomy, or Lousa for churches, the fountain, the garden, and archaeology—and check the return journey timetable before getting off.

Guide to Line 2506: Heritage, Parks, and Flavors between Milharado and Ponte de Lousa