Jardim Municipal de Rio Maior and skate park

Rio Maior’s Jardim Municipal is the town’s main public garden, a green space of about 3.1 hectares in the centre, between the courthouse and the parish church. The council’s tourism office lists a café terrace, public toilets and a children’s playground (parque infantil) inside it, and a skate park in the space right next door.

That layout is what makes it useful for families. A toddler can play on the swings while an older brother or sister skates a few metres away, and the adults can sit at the café in between. Everything is free.

The skate park opened in 2016. The council’s tourism site says it’s for skateboarding, BMX and inline skating. A|Park, the Portuguese company that builds skate parks, calls it one of the few good-quality skate parks in Santarém district. It describes a funbox (a raised box with ramps on each side) with all kinds of technical obstacles, suitable for every level.

The council hasn’t published a full list of ramps, the park’s size or its opening hours. The “all levels” description is a good sign for beginners: a young child on a first skateboard or small BMX can practise on the lower slopes of the funbox and the flat around it, while older riders take on the more technical obstacles. Scooters aren’t mentioned either way, so follow any signs.

Helmets are a must for BMX and sensible for everyone learning. Skate parks tend to be busiest after school and at weekends, and a quieter morning suits a nervous beginner better.

The tourism office places the playground near the café terrace and the toilets, further into the garden from the roundabout entrance. The council hasn’t published the equipment list, age zones, fencing or surface. A|Park mentions the playground and café as part of the same garden, and they’re close enough to walk between.

There’s more to look at on the way round. At the start of the garden, facing the roundabout, is an obelisk commemorating the first centenary of the municipality of Rio Maior. Further in is the Palácio da Justiça (courthouse), opened in 1961 and designed by the architect Formosinho Sanches, with a modernist bronze sculpture group by the entrance representing Justice. At the far end is the Igreja Matriz, also called the Igreja Nova (New Church), opened in 1968.

In June 2025 the council began refurbishing the garden’s footpaths and car park, with a 90-day contract to improve access, circulation and parking. We found no report of the works finishing, so if you find parts fenced off, that’s likely why.

• Toilets and a café terrace are in the garden, according to the council’s tourism office.
• A|Park mentions free parking by the garden. The car park was part of the 2025 works.
• Rio Maior summers are hot. Morning or evening is better for skating on concrete and for the playground.
• The garden is right in the centre of town, so it’s an easy stop before or after other sights.

The Salinas de Rio Maior, inland salt pans fed by a salty spring, are just outside town and fascinating for children who assume salt only comes from the sea. The Centro Ciência Viva do Alviela, a science centre about bats, caves and water near Alcanena, is a longer drive. In summer, the Complexo Aquático de Santarém has slides and a wave pool.

Is there a skate park in Rio Maior?

Yes. It’s next to the Jardim Municipal in the town centre, opened in 2016, and is used for skateboarding, BMX and inline skating.

Is the Rio Maior skate park free?

Yes. It’s a public council facility.

Is there a playground in the Jardim Municipal?

Yes. The council’s tourism office lists a playground in the garden, near the café terrace and the toilets.

Is it suitable for beginners?

A|Park, which describes the park, says its funbox and obstacles suit all levels. Beginners should start on the flat and the lower slopes.