Marble Tour: A Surprising Industrial Tourism Experience in Portugal
4.9
249 Ratings
Vila Viçosa
Embark on a surprising industrial tourism experience in Portugal with the Marble Tour. Explore marble extraction processes in a quarry and witness the transformation of marble in a sawmill. Book now!
Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Vila Vicosa - Tour of the Marble Quarry Center in the area, including a walkthrough and detailed explanation of various quarries, focusing on the methods of marble extraction, potential hazards, equipment utilized, and the economic and cultural significance.

Visit to a construction site to observe the traditional and manual methods of marble shaping, the techniques employed, potential risks, the machinery involved in the finishing process, and the unique stories of the workers at the site.

Tour of a marble sawmill / industrial marble processing facility to witness the automated industrial processing of marble, the assortment of machinery in use, potential hazards, a variety of finished product samples, and the full operational framework of a sawmill.

What's Included
  • Professional yet informal local guide
What's Not Included
  • hotel pickup
  • Hotel drop-off
  • Food (including meals) and drinks, unless otherwise specified
  • Private transportation
Additional Information

Embark on a unique journey through Portugal’s industrial tourism, sure to take you by surprise. The initiation of this remarkable tour starts with a quick outline of the sector’s geography, geology and history at the Núcleo Documental do Mármore meeting point. Your fascinating itinerary includes stepping into a quarry to comprehend the methods of marble extraction, followed by an exploration of a sawmill where this stone is processed for future use. Located in the municipalities of Vila Viçosa and Borba in Alentejo, these sightseeing points are approximately 50 minutes from Évora and about 2 hours from Lisbon. All participants are supplied with necessity equipment - a helmet and a vest - mandatory for the duration of the tour and are returned upon conclusion.

  • Mandatory use of closed footwear
  • Own vehicle to travel between the meeting point and the places to visit.
Location
Rota do Mármore AE
Avenida Duques de Bragança
At the headquarters of the AE Marble Route
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(249 Ratings)
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Barbara
Apr 30, 2024
A hidden gem in Vila Vicosa! - I had heard this tour was excellent but I was not prepared for how extraordinary it was. Our guide Joao was enthusiastic and knew so much about the way Portuguese marble has contributed to the history, culture and community of Vila Vicosa. He starts at the very beginning with the formation of marble and then the process of extraction and finishing. Then he takes you to the quarry and let me tell you nothing can prepare you for how truly spectacular it is. Just go. I doubt this kind of experience will be available to the public much longer. Go.
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Paul
Apr 24, 2024
Marble mine tour - Highly informative tour of the marble mine. Our guide was extremely helpful in explaining the whole process. Visiting the actual mine was a jaw dropping experience.
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Raquelmgsl
Apr 23, 2024
The guide's enthusiasm and passion made the visit even better - It was a very good visit, we learned a lot and saw incredible things. The guide Joaquina Peixinho explained everything with detail and enthusiasm, and was always ready to answer all questions, even making the visit last longer than expected. The visit to the quarry and the processing workshop were impressive!
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287natalyam
Apr 17, 2024
Amazing and different - I looked on a map where the meeting point for a marble quarry tour is, and I discovered, of course, between a castle and a palace...This is one of the most amazing tours we have ever experienced. We were very lucky to visit on a holiday, so the place was empty and quiet, which made it even more magical. I highly recommend to visit. Make sure you DRIVE yourself to the meeting point.
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Bev
Apr 15, 2024
The View is Astounding! - We stayed in Vila Vicosa overnight just to take in this breathtaking tour! The photos you see just don't prepare you for really how astonishing it is! Our tour and knowledge gained was extensive before and after visiting the quarry site. Truely a highlight of Portugal!
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Juliedawnf2024
Apr 12, 2024
Fascinating - The tour was a fascinating insight into the marble industry in Portugal. Joaquina was knowledgeable and passionate, having grown up in the marble town of Vila Viçosa. We started with an educational session at the Marble Route HQ then visited the deepest quarry in the area and finally a marble factory to see the slicing and polishing processes.
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542conniem
Apr 12, 2024
Marble - Very good tour. Learned amazing facts. Out tour guide was so friendly and answered all questions. Great part of our trip to portugal
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Melaniespat
Mar 28, 2024
Impressive - The tour guide explained everything in details and show us the quarries and the shop. It was very impressive to see the marble quarries.
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Edwortj
Apr 12, 2024
Marble-ous marble tour - The tour consists of a talk in a classroom, a visit to a quarry and a visit to a factory. The quarry was particularly impressive, though I wished I had a better head for heights. I learned a lot about the marble industry in Portugal.
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Pjjduynd
Mar 29, 2024
Marble excursion. - A very interesting excursion that was very educational. The origin, excavation and further processing of marble was explained very expertly. A very well spent afternoon.
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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