Guide to Route 3505: from the Tagus in Cacilhas to the parks and flavors of Paio Pires

Guide to Route 3505: from the Tagus in Cacilhas to the parks and flavors of Paio Pires

Between the Cacilhas river terminal and Farinheiras, in Paio Pires, route 3505 crosses an urban strip of the South Bank with restaurants, naval heritage, parks, cultural spaces, and former industrial areas that have been revitalized.

The route begins beside the Tagus, in Cacilhas, and continues through Cova da Piedade and Laranjeiro before entering the municipality of Seixal, passing through Corroios, Santa Marta do Pinhal, Cruz de Pau, Amora, Fogueteiro, Torre da Marinha, Cavadas, and Paio Pires.

It is a journey that alternates commercial and residential areas with green spaces and points of interest connected to the region’s maritime and industrial history. In some sections, you only need to get off the bus and walk for a few minutes; in others, the route serves as a gateway to somewhat longer walks.

Notice: the distances shown are approximate and estimated from the coordinates provided for the route and the locations of the sites. The route has 13 departures in the Cacilhas–Farinheiras direction on weekdays, 5 on Saturdays, and 5 on Sundays and holidays; in the opposite direction, there are 14 departures on weekdays, 6 on Saturdays, and 6 on Sundays and holidays. The fare and operator were not provided in the route data.

Cacilhas and Rua Cândido dos Reis

The starting point of route 3505 is also one of the busiest places on the south bank of the Tagus. Cacilhas brings together the river terminal, the movement of the ferries, outdoor terraces, and a concentration of restaurants on Rua Cândido dos Reis, known for its selection of fish, seafood, and traditional Portuguese cuisine.

It is a good place to begin or end the walk: on one side is the river and the view of Lisbon; on the other, a pedestrian area with restaurants, cafés, and local shops. Almada City Council itself highlights Cacilhas as an important transport interchange and one of the municipality’s main food areas.

• 📍 Location: Cacilhas, Almada, beside the river terminal and Rua Cândido dos Reis.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Cacilhas (Terminal) P6, about 100 meters away.
• 🏷️ Category: Food, local commerce, and riverside walk.
• ⭐ Distinctive feature: It brings together restaurants, river transport, and historical heritage in a compact area that is easy to explore on foot.

Cacilhas Naval Museum Center

Near the terminal is one of the route’s most distinctive cultural complexes: the frigate D. Fernando II e Glória and the Barracuda submarine. The frigate allows visitors to explore the interior of a historic ship linked to Portuguese navigation, while the submarine offers a more immersive experience, with narrow spaces and equipment that help explain life on board.

The Barracuda submarine opened to the public as a museum ship in 2024 and, together with the frigate, became part of the Navy’s museum complex in Cacilhas. It is especially interesting for families, students, and visitors looking for an attraction different from traditional museums.

• 📍 Location: Cacilhas dry dock, beside the former naval shipyard.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Cacilhas (Terminal) P6, about 400 meters away.
• 🏷️ Category: Museum, maritime history, and industrial heritage.
• ⭐ Distinctive feature: It brings together a historic frigate and a submarine open to visitors in the same space.

Jardim do Rio

For those who prefer a break outdoors, Jardim do Rio is one of the most pleasant extensions of a walk through Cacilhas. The space is beside the Tagus, in the Ginjal area, with broad views over Lisbon and a more peaceful atmosphere than the terminal.

It can be reached on foot via Cais do Ginjal or from Old Almada, using the Boca do Vento Elevator. The route there requires a longer walk, but it is worthwhile for anyone who wants to observe the river, photograph the riverside, or simply rest away from traffic.

• 📍 Location: Almada riverside, beside Cais do Ginjal.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Cacilhas (Terminal) P6, about 1.2 kilometers away via a pedestrian route.
• 🏷️ Category: Garden, leisure, and riverside viewpoint.
• ⭐ Distinctive feature: It offers a privileged perspective of the Tagus and the city of Lisbon.

Casa da Cerca

Ascending toward Almada’s historic center, Casa da Cerca combines contemporary art, historic architecture, and scenery. Housed in a former 16th-century palace, the institution presents exhibitions and cultural activities and maintains the O Chão das Artes botanical garden.

The site’s viewpoint is one of its main attractions: from the balcony and garden, visitors can observe the Tagus and Lisbon from an elevated position. The visit requires an uphill walk from Cacilhas, but it turns the beginning of the route 3505 into a good introduction to Almada’s cultural heritage.

• 📍 Location: Rua da Cerca, Old Almada.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Cacilhas (Terminal) P6, about 1.4 kilometers away.
• 🏷️ Category: Contemporary art center, botanical garden, and viewpoint.
• ⭐ Distinctive feature: It combines exhibitions, a garden, and panoramic views in a listed historic building.

Mercado da Romeira

In the Cova da Piedade area, the route approaches Mercado da Romeira, a food and leisure space installed in a former industrial area connected to cork production. Its revitalization transformed the complex into a food court with a relaxed atmosphere, shared tables, and different options for eating and drinking.

The space offers a variety of choices, including meat, hamburgers, snacks, pizza, sushi, sweets, and bars. It is a practical option for groups with different tastes and also for anyone looking for an informal evening out without having to travel to Lisbon.

• 📍 Location: Rua Manuel José Gomes, 105, Almada.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Cova Piedade (Elvas) Hospital, about 800 meters away.
• 🏷️ Category: Food market, dining, and leisure.
• ⭐ Distinctive feature: It occupies a revitalized former industrial area and brings together several food and drink concepts in the same complex.

Parque da Paz

Although it is not right beside a stop, Parque da Paz is one of the best options for turning a stop in Laranjeiro into a nature walk. Covering about 50 hectares, Almada’s largest urban park combines lawns, paths, wooded areas, a lake, and wetlands that provide habitat for several species.

The park is suitable both for a peaceful walk and for a family break. The Biodiversity Station adds an educational element to the visit, with information about the fauna and flora that can be observed on site.

• 📍 Location: Avenida Arsenal do Alfeite, Feijó, Almada.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Laranjeiro (Av. 23 de Julho), about 1.3 kilometers away.
• 🏷️ Category: Urban park, walking, and environmental education.
• ⭐ Distinctive feature: It is a large green space with a lake, pedestrian paths, and a station dedicated to biodiversity.

Corroios Tidal Mill

The Corroios section preserves a direct connection with the economic history of the Tagus estuary. Built in 1403, the Corroios Tidal Mill used the rising and falling tides to power its milling mechanisms, remaining in operation until the 1980s.

The mill is part of the Seixal Municipal Ecomuseum and is located in the Corroios marshland, an area of natural interest beside the estuary. The site is particularly interesting for those who enjoy technical heritage and riverside landscapes. The municipal website does, however, state that the center is temporarily closed, so it is advisable to confirm its reopening before planning a visit.

• 📍 Location: Rua do Rouxinol, Miratejo, Corroios.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Corroios (Av. 25 Abril) Jardim/Rotunda, about 1.3 kilometers away.
• 🏷️ Category: Museum, industrial heritage, and nature.
• ⭐ Distinctive feature: It is one of the oldest tidal mills associated with the Tagus estuary and preserves the relationship between technology, water, and milling.

Serrado Municipal Park

In the Amora area, Serrado Municipal Park provides a green break between residential and commercial areas. The space has meadow areas, children’s equipment, a picnic area, a café, and outdoor exercise facilities.

It is a simple alternative for those traveling with children or wanting to stop without committing to a cultural visit. Its proximity to the Amora stops makes the park one of the easiest options for interrupting the journey and spending some time outdoors.

• 📍 Location: Rua Cacheu, Amora, Seixal.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Amora (R. Dr. Emídio Gui Gar Mendes), about 700 meters away.
• 🏷️ Category: Urban park, recreation, and physical activity.
• ⭐ Distinctive feature: It combines a children’s playground, picnic facilities, a café, and exercise equipment.

Paivas Urban Park

In the Torre da Marinha and Paivas area, Paivas Urban Park is one of the most convenient stops for those seeking leisure without making a major detour from the itinerary. The park has pedestrian paths, landscaped areas, a children’s playground, a multipurpose sports court, and a café or restaurant.

The setting is especially suitable for a family break or a short walk. The presence of sports and recreation facilities makes it a local meeting point, with a use that goes beyond being merely a garden along the way.

• 📍 Location: Rua Luís de Camões, Paivas, Amora.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Torre Marinha (R. Gil Vicente) Piscinas, about 300 meters away.
• 🏷️ Category: Urban park, recreation, and sports.
• ⭐ Distinctive feature: It has an artificial lake, paths, a children’s playground, a multipurpose sports court, and café facilities.

Quinta da Fidalga

Quinta da Fidalga is one of the most interesting cultural stops near the final section of the route. The estate, which originated in the 16th century, preserves gardens, a manor house, a chapel, decorated fountains, and a tidal lake, a rare feature of Portuguese hydraulic architecture.

The site also houses the Manuel Cargaleiro Arts Workshop and the International Center for Contemporary Medal Art, creating a dialogue between historical heritage and modern art. It is a walk that requires some deviation on foot, but offers a more complete experience, with gardens, architecture, and exhibitions in the same complex.

• 📍 Location: Avenida da República, 2571, Arrentela, Seixal.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Torre Marinha (Av. Resistência Antifascista), about 1 kilometer away.
• 🏷️ Category: Historic estate, gardens, art, and heritage.
• ⭐ Distinctive feature: It brings together a tidal lake, historic gardens, and the Manuel Cargaleiro Arts Workshop.

Route 3505 allows you to plan very different outings without changing buses: lunch in Cacilhas, a visit to the museum ships, an afternoon of culture in Almada, a food stop at Romeira, or a walk through Seixal’s parks and historic estates. Since the frequency is limited, especially on weekends, it is worth checking the return journey schedule in advance and allowing for the walking time to each location.

Sources

• Almada City Council — Cacilhas
• Almada City Council — Jardim do Rio
• Almada City Council — Casa da Cerca
• Almada City Council — Parque da Paz
• Almada City Council — Mercado da Romeira
• Portuguese Navy — Barracuda Submarine
• Seixal City Council — Corroios Tidal Mill
• Seixal City Council — Green Spaces
• Seixal City Council — Quinta da Fidalga