Accommodation

Alentejo

Alcácer do Sal Aldeamento Turistico Casas da Comporta Aldeamento Turístico Herdade de Montalvo Tourist Villages / **** Tourist Villages / **** Address: Comporta 7580-909 Alcácer do Sal Address: Estrada Nacional 253 - km 14,7 7580-247 Telephone: +351 265 497 211 Fax: +351 265 497 283 Alcácer do Sal Telephone: +351 265 619 441 Fax: +351 265 619 440 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.casasdacomporta.net E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.herdademontalvo.com Other informations: Apartments and villas equipped with central heating; Fire place; Other informations: Satelite TV; Linen; Dishes; Kitchen fully equiped with micro-wave Registration No.: 89; oven, fridge with freezer, washing machine and dish washer. Characteristics and Services: Booking Conditions: Check-in: 4 pm and Check-out: 10 am Sauna; Tennis courts; Bar; Gymnasium; Swimming-pool; Number of beds: 300; Baby-care facilities; Baby Sitting; Restaurant; Registration No.: 3765 Reserved area for non-smokers; Reserved area for smokers; Characteristics and Services: Number of detached houses: 102; Air conditioning; Swimming-pool; Number of beds: 236; Number Access: of apartments: 72; Internet Access; Central heating; Outdoor parking; Buses; Access: Room facilities: Outdoor parking; Air conditioning in room; Telephone in room; Television in room; Room facilities: Payments: Air conditioning in room; Television in room; Hair dryer in room; Credit cards accepted; Heating in room; Rooms available for smokers; Accessibility: Payments: Disabled access; Credit cards accepted; Target price: $$$$ (>90€); Partially inserted in teh natural reserve of the Sado estuary, between Alcácer do Sal and Comporta, Herdade de Montalvo opens its doors to a new way of living the welfare in 1 052 4 star touristic village, recently opened, comprising 136 hectares of pure nature. With 102 villas thought to the detail apartments (T1 e T2) and villas (T2 and T3). All accommodation allowing you to enjoy good moments of leisure and conviviality. units have either a balcony, a patio or a terrace. This Tourist Supported by tennis courts, 25 meter swimming pool and Village is located near the village of Comporta on the Peninsula equestrian center, the villas are available in version V1, V2 and of Setúbal and in the Natural Park of the Sado Estuary just below V3, offering ample interior and exterior spaces, with fully Tróia. A convenient way to reach us is by taking the Ferry from equipped kitchen, barbecue, fireplace, central heating or air Setúbal and then a short drive down the peninsula. If you are in conditioning, private swimming pool and parking. Alcácer do Sal, it is a short drive on road 253. Casa do Sossego The complex is located on the Ocean front with more than 40km of deserted sandy beaches where you can enjoy unforgettable Local accommodation moments of tranquility. The area has over 100 species of birds Address: 7580-321 Alcácer do Sal and is the preferential habitat for mammals like the otter, the Telephone: +351 962 046 060 badger and fox. Dolphins can also be frequently observed. E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.homeaway.pt/arrendamento-ferias/p1055058 Casa das Cegonhas Tourism in the Country / Timetable: Agricultural Tourism Small villa with one bedroom with a couple bed and a sofa bed. It Address: Herdade de Porches, Vale de Guizo7580-091 has a closed terrace with glass doors and a big sofa bed, a turf Alcácer do Sal garden with barbecue, one bathroom and a kitchen equipped but Telephone: +351 935 075 353; +351 917 887 071 it doesn't have washing machines.; Access: E-mail: [email protected] Website: Outdoor parking; http://www.casadascegonhas.com Room facilities: Characteristics and Services: Television in room; Swimming-pool; Number of beds: 12; Number of suites: 6; Characteristics and Services: Number of beds: 2; Number of rooms : 1; Gay friendly; Number of rooms with private bathroom; Kitchen; Terrace; Shared rooms; Payments: Casas do Sal Credit cards accepted; Guiding price: $$ (30€ - 60€); "All Tourism in the Country / Country inclusive" rates; Houses Accessibility:

2013 Turismo de Portugal. All rights reserved. 1/13 [email protected] Address: Herdade da Boavista apartado 124 7580-999 Accessible route to the entrance: Partial; Accessible entrance: Alcácer do Sal Partial; Accessible circulation inside: Partial; Telephone: +351 93 222 26 21 - 265 612 350 Fax: +351 265 612 350 E-mail: [email protected] Website: Small villa with one bedroom with a couple bed and a sofa bed. It http://www.casasdosal.pt has a closed terrace with glass doors and a big sofa bed, a turf garden with barbecue, one bathroom and a kitchen equipped but Characteristics and Services: it doesn't have washing machines. Tennis courts; Games room; Swimming-pool; Number of rooms: 8; Number of suites: 4; Reserved area for non-smokers; Reserved area for smokers; Baby Sitting; Bar; Rooms available for Cocoon Eco Design Lodges smokers; Camping / Public Access: Address: Herdade da Comporta, parcela 1057580-610 Outdoor parking; Comporta Room facilities: Telephone: +351 92 93 08 371 Heating in room; Television in room; Hair dryer in room; Mini-bar in room; E-mail: [email protected] Website: Timetable: https://www.cocoonlodges.com Breakfast timetable: 09h00 - 11h00; Room service timetable: Characteristics and Services: 10h00 - 12h00; Caravan instalations; Tents instalations; Both city and country, silence, comfort and beach 45 minutes away.

Parque de Campismo Municipal de Alcácer do Sal Hotel Rural da Barrosinha Camping / Public Hotel accommodation Address: Olival do Coronel 7580-001 Alcácer do Sal Address: Barrosinha - Estrada Nacional nº 5 7580-103 Alcácer do Sal Telephone: +351 265 612 303 Fax: +351 265 610 079 Telephone: +351 265 623 142 Fax: +351 265 613 797 E-mail: [email protected] Website: E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.cm-alcacerdosal.pt http://www.cabarrosinha.com Characteristics and Services: Characteristics and Services: Caravan instalations; Tents instalations; Natural shadows; Central heating; Bar; Television room; Games room; Number of Bathing facilities; Hot water showers; Cold water showers; Sinks; beds: 34; Number of rooms: 15; Number of suites: 2; Reserved Washtubs; Ironing-boards; Tennis courts; Snack Bar; Bar; area for non-smokers; Air conditioning; Laundry; Irons available; Washing machine (clothes); Access: Supermarket; Swimming-pool; Tent renting; All-purpose field; Outdoor parking; Buses; Train stations; Grass ground; Room facilities: Accessibility: Air conditioning in room; Telephone in room; Television in room; Sanitaries of handicapped persons; Accessibility: Placed in a historic town, Alcácer do Sal has good accessibilities Disabled access; Disabled access; and excellent sanitary conditions, with separated alveolus, which Payments: guarantee good accommodation to those who camp there. Credit cards accepted; The River Sado, Pego do Altar and Vale do Gaio dams, the Alentejo Coast and the possibility to use a swimming-pool, to play tennis and do some adventure sports like balloon flights, Pousada Castelo de Alcácer rides on horse-back and cruises, are aditional attractions to those who appreciate the nature. Hotel accommodation / Pousada Address: Castelo de Alcácer 7580-197 Alcácer do Sal Vale do Gaio Hotel Telephone: +351 265 613 070 Fax: +351 265 613 074 Hotel accommodation / Hotel / **** E-mail: [email protected] Website: Address: Barragem Trigo de Morais 7595-034 Torrão http://www.pousadas.pt Telephone: +351 265 669 610 Fax: +351 265 669 545 Characteristics and Services: E-mail: [email protected] Website: Bar; Restaurant; Games room; Number of beds: 70; Number of http://www.valedogaio.com rooms: 32; Number of suites: 3; Reserved area for non-smokers; Swimming-pool; Target price: $$$$ (>90€); Characteristics and Services: Room facilities: Central heating; Currency exchange; Baby Sitting; Bar; Air conditioning in room; Telephone in room; Television in room; Restaurant; Television room; Games room; Number of beds: 28; Mini-bar in room; Heating in room; Number of rooms: 14; Internet Access; Reserved area for non- Accessibility: smokers; Air conditioning; Swimming-pool; Shops; Sauna; Target Disabled access; Disabled access; price: $$$$ (>90€); Access: Outdoor parking; In the Alcácer do Sal castle, and not far from Lisbon, lies the Room facilities: Alcácer do Sal Pousada. In the Pousada´s castle, with 5000 years Air conditioning in room; Telephone in room; Steel safe in room; of history that goes back to the later Neolithic period, we come Television in room; Hair dryer in room; Internet access in room; across a variety of important cultural remains, such as Mini-bar in room; Heating in room; Rooms available for smokers;

2013 Turismo de Portugal. All rights reserved. 2/13 [email protected] Phoenician, Arab or even Roman. This Pousada overlooks the Accessibility: river Sado, which runs between a vast green valley. Disabled access; Facilities for disabled; Disabled access; Payments: Credit cards accepted; Timetable: Breakfast timetable: 08h30 - 11h00; Room service timetable: 08h00 - 00h30;

In the deep heart of Alentejo, over a beautiful dam, you will find the stunning Vale do Gaio Hotel - S. Salvador. It is the perfect place for those who appreciate the culinary delights of the region and enjoy hunting, fishing, walking and other sports such as biking, bow & arrow, canoeing and more. Surrounded by the beauty of nature, immersed in its timeless silence and watching the sun slowly setting above the Albufeira Dam from the terrace, turn the days spent at the Vale do Gaio Hotel into an unforgettable experience for our guests.

Alentejo

Alcácer do Sal Castelo de Alcácer do Sal Ermida do Senhor dos Mártires Address: Alcácer do Sal Address: Santa Maria do Castelo 7580 Alcácer do Sal

Some sections still remain of the mud and stone wall that once Hermitage of Senhor dos Mártires surrounded the town. The central fortress was adapted to form a Incineration necropolis dating from the Iron Age. convent. Igreja de Santiago You can still see the ruins of the Convent and Church of Santa Address: R.Dr. Nobre 7580 Alcácer do Sal Maria do Castelo, built in the Romanesque-Gothic style of the Telephone: +351 265 622 213 13C. Timetable: Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo - Alcácer do Sal Every day: 10am - 1pm 2.30 - 6.30pm; Situated in lower Alcácer do Sal, the church interior is covered in Address: Castelo 7580 Alcácer do Sal 18th century tiles which tell the story of some of the miracles Built within the castle walls, perhaps on the site of the former carried out by St James. mosque, a stone sculpture over the façade features the symbols Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Assunção - of the Order of Santiago: the crossed-sword, shells (scallops) and Torrão the hat and garb of a pilgrim recalling the holy warrior Santiago. Address: Largo da Matriz 7595 Torrão - Alcácer do Sal One of the lateral chapels is of particular note with its Church from the 16th c., modified in the 17h c. in baroque style. magnificent tiles from the early part of the 17th century.

Igreja de Santo António - Alcácer do Sal Address: Largo de São Francisco 7580-110 Alcácer do Sal

Located on the upper Rossio, the church of Santo António is all that remains of the Franciscan convent that bore the same name. Entrance is gained through an attractive porch displaying renaissance features.

Once inside, take a look at the lateral nave in white Estremoz marble, added between 1555 and 1565, and the chapel of Eleven

Thousand Virgins, capped by a cupola covered in the same marble to create a cooling sense of transparency.

Alentejo

Alcácer do Sal Small villages near Alcácer do Sal

Other informations: Small villages near Alcácer do Sal; Santa Susana village Not far from the Pego de Altar dam, the village of Santa Susana (Saint Susan) holds quite some novelty: buildings in modernist architecture from the 40s. They were built by the benefactor, Henrique Louro Fernandes, whose monogram (HF) adorns some buildings. A small church, with two 16th century panels, somewhat worn but still magnificent, round off a visit to this oddity of a village.

Porto de Rei This was the navigable limit for the vessels of the people settling the Sado. A small palace, even if in poor state of repair, points to a time when the river still represented a key trading route between the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

Torrão Located at one tip of the Vale de Gaio dam, this tiny town has bleached white houses with enormous chimneys to characterise its streets. The matrix church boasts a lovely Manueline portico and, inside, still has Spanish-Arabian tiles in the lateral chapels. Of what remains of the convent, there is still the belvedere where nuns could look out over the fields of sunflowers that both then and now surround this charming place.

Vale do Gaio Dam 30 kilometres from Alcácer, there is the perfect sport for a spot of walking, bicycling or boating, hunting or fishing. By the bank, the Vale de Gaio pousada (manor hotel) puts on horse-drawn coach rides and rents row boats.

Alentejo

Alcácer do Sal A Escola Comporta Café Address: Estrada Nacional 253 - Cachopos 7580 - 308 Address: Praia da Comporta - CCI 2801 7580-681 Alcácer do Sal comporta Telephone: +351 265 612 816 Fax: +351 265 612 831 Telephone: +351 265 497 652 Fax: +351 265 490 515 E-mail: [email protected] Website: E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.restauranteaescola.com http://www.comportacafe.com

Timetable and reservations: Timetable and reservations: 11.30 am - 3.30 pm / 7.30 pm - 12 am Closed on Mondays.; Reservations:: Recommended; Payments: Payments: Credit cards accepted; Target price: $$ (10€ - 20€); Credit cards accepted; Target price: $$$ (20€ - 30€); Characteristics and Services: Characteristics and Services: Outdoor section; Air conditioning; Capacity: 100; Outdoor Outdoor section; Air conditioning; Capacity: 250; Outdoor parking; Reserved area for non-smokers; parking; Panoramic View; Reserved area for non-smokers; Accessibility: Reserved area for smokers; Disabled access; Disabled access; Accessibility: Disabled access; Disabled access; Comporta Café is a Restaurant Bar in Comporta Beach in the Dona Bia beautiful peninsula of Tróia (Portugal). Its main goal is to well serve its guest. Here is possible to simply have a meal, a snack, Address: EN 261, Torre Comporta, 7580-681 Comporta a coffee, hot chocolat or even your favorite cocktail, right in front Telephone: +351 265 497 557 Fax: +351 265 497 405 of the sea in an incredible environment of excelent decoration, E-mail: [email protected] Website: good service, staff amability and of course: exquisit typical http://restaurantedonabia.pt Portuguese and international FOOD. Also, light, music and big mirrors feflecting te ocean contribute for inforgetable moments. Timetable and reservations: Here we worry to get all the ingridients necessary for your Reservations:: Recommended; 11.00am – 4.30pm; 7.30pm - wellbeing. Come see the sea and feel at home! 10.30pm Closing Day(s): Tuesday in the summer; Other informations: Excelentíssimo Emblematic Dish Address: Zona de Actividades Económicas, 10 7595 Rice prevails on the menu and is a house especial but the most Torrão emblematic dish is John Dory fish, either with rice on the side or Telephone: +351 265 669 846 delicious fish roe açorda. E-mail: www.excelentissimo.net Website: Added Value http://www.excelentissimo.net Dona Bia is a truly homely restaurant where people go because they know what they want and will be sure of getting good home Timetable and reservations: cooked food made on the spot. Reservations:: Recommended; 12pm - 3pm / 7.30pm - 10pm Payments: Closed: Sunday (dinner); Credit cards accepted; Target price: $$$ (20€ - 30€); Payments: Characteristics and Services: Credit cards accepted; Travellers Cheques accepted; Target Outdoor section; Capacity: 60 pessoas; Outdoor parking; price: $$ (10€ - 20€); Panoramic View; Reserved area for non-smokers; Reserved area Characteristics and Services: for smokers; Outdoor section; Capacity: 50; Outdoor parking; Panoramic View; Reserved area for non-smokers; Accessibility: The roads along the Alentejo coast are very beautiful, just like Disabled access; Disabled access; the one that goes from Comporta to the south in a landscape of rice fields and storks. Sometimes one has to stop to observe a detail, take a photo or enjoy the delicacies of the regional cuisine, as occurs three kilometres from Comporta at the Restaurante "São João" restaurant Dona Bia. Located on the roadside, it is easy to park Address: Rua 24 de Junho, lote 2 7580-628 Comporta and offers a cosy space with a small open-air terrace, another Telephone: +351 265 497 551 Fax: +351 265 490 517 covered terrace and a room with a small counter that leads to E-mail: [email protected] the kitchen. The atmosphere is cheerful and cosy, full of natural light, with cotton tablecloths and table runners, simple décor alluding to the sea and an irresistible display of fish. Timetable and reservations: 12 pm-4 pm / 7 pm-11 pm; The cuisine is traditional, based on the produce and flavours Characteristics and Services:

2013 Turismo de Portugal. All rights reserved. 6/13 [email protected] from the region. Rice abounds, either as a main dish – grouper Capacity: 50; Outdoor parking; Panoramic View; Reserved area rice, sea bream rice, razor clam and prawn rice, octopus rice, for non-smokers; Reserved area for smokers; monkfish rice, peeled prawn with clam rice, lobster rice and Accessibility: edible crab rice, among others –or as a side dish – coriander rice, Disabled access; Disabled access; bean rice, tomato rice, greens rice, clam rice, cockle rice and Access: razor clam rice. Always made with medium grain rice, moist and Buses; made on the spot. It is always divine. Other highly appreciated Our main objective is to satisfy our customers with excellent delicacies include for starters a fish broth and fish fritters, main traditional dishes, prepared with fresh ingredients, such as: dishes include john dory with fish roe açorda, turbot or head of - Stew Eels; grouper prepared in the style of Bulhão Pato, monkfish cutlets in - Fried Eels with Coriander Rice; the frying pan, grouper soup with clams and spinach, grilled ribs - Grilled fish:(Sardines, Mackerel, Halibut, Sea Bream, Sea Bass); with bean rice, mixed grill with cheese rice and duck rice. - Fried Cuttlefish with Tomatoes Rice; Homemade desserts. There is quality in the produce, the - Grouper Rice with Shrimps and Clams; seasoning and the preparation. A satisfactory selection of wines! - Portuguese Steak-Entrecôte; Friendly service! - Alentejo Pork Meat with Clams; - Pork Tenderloin with Shrimps and Clams; Porto Santana (Tasca do Gino) Starters: Address: EN 253, Senhora Santana 7580-509 Alcácer do - Roe salad; Sal - Octopus salad; Telephone: +351 265 613 454 Fax: +351 265 613 454 - Razor Clam Salad; E-mail: [email protected] - Grilled Razor-Clam; - Clams ´´À Bulhão Pato style´´; Timetable and reservations: - Fried Prawns; Reservations:: No; open everyday: 12pm - 3.30pm / 7pm - - Fried Cuttlefish with Coriander; 10.30pm; - Scrambled Eggs with Portuguese Sausage; Payments: - Small Squid ´Algarvia style´´; Credit cards accepted; Target price: $$ (10€ - 20€); Characteristics and Services: Outdoor section; Air conditioning; Capacity: 90; Outdoor parking; This restaurant also has a corner where you can leave your Panoramic View; Reserved area for non-smokers; Reserved area children entertained while enjoying our dishes. for smokers; Restaurante da Pousada de D. Afonso II Address: 7580-197 Alcácer do Sal Restaurante da Pousada Castelo de Alcácer do Sal Telephone: +351 265 613 070 Fax: +351 265 613 074 Address: Castelo de Alcácer do Sal, 7580-197 Alcácer do Sal E-mail: [email protected] Website: Telephone: +351 265 613 070 http://www.pousadas.pt E-mail: [email protected] Website: Timetable and reservations: https://www.pestana.com/pt/hotel/pousada-alcacer Reservations:: No; open everyday: 1 pm - 3 pm / 7.30 pm - 10.30 Timetable and reservations: pm; 1.00pm - 3.00pm; 7.00pm – 10.00pm. Friday and Saturday Payments: dinnertime: 7.30pm-10.30pm Credit cards accepted; Travellers Cheques accepted; Target Closing Day(s): Opens every day ; price: $$$$ (>30€); Other informations: Characteristics and Services: Emblematic Dish Outdoor section; Air conditioning; Capacity: 75; Outdoor parking; Partridge broth with rice, spinach and quail’s egg made with Panoramic View; Reserved area for non-smokers; Reserved area locally produced medium grain rice that helps make the broth for smokers; thick and appetising. The pine nut tart is much sought after, the Accessibility: fruit in this region being known as the caviar of the forest. Disabled access; Disabled access; Specialty Restaurant Menu: Sado´s Fish Soup, Tomato rice with Added Value fried eel, Lamb stew with a pennyroyal cream, Local egg It pulls together the best tastes in the Alentejo, with fresh fish, pudding. seafood, regional meat and different dishes that all kinds of palates and appetites will enjoy. Payments: Credit cards accepted; Target price: $$$$ (>30€); Characteristics and Services: Capacity: 60 pessoas; Outdoor parking; Reserved area for non- smokers; Accessibility: Disabled access;

Opened in 1998, together with the Pousada Castelo de Alcácer do Sal, this restaurant takes advantage of the best there is in the region, and has ascertained itself as one of the favourite meeting places for diners between the Alentejo coast and Central

2013 Turismo de Portugal. All rights reserved. 7/13 [email protected] Alentejo. The room has a great deal of natural light, excellent views of the swimming pool and gardens, and its main decorative item is an 18th century polychromatic altar displayed on one of the walls.

The atmosphere is elegant but relaxed, more than would be expected in a former convent inside a castle, probably due to its proximity to the beach. The menu is particularly well drawn up, taking into consideration the balance between the delicacy of the fish and seafood of the region and the meat and game from more inland areas. The excellent suggestions of the chef include for soup, fish soup tasting of the Alentejo Coast and partridge broth with rice, spinach and quail’s egg; the starters include clams open in seawater and alheira sausage and greens with red cabbage; appetisers include stewed giblets and stewed fava beans with chorizo sausage. The main dishes include fresh vegetable lasagna in a tomato duo and crème fraîche for the vegetarians, charcoal-grilled octopus with potatoes and greens, braised croaker, mangetout and smoked tomato migas, bacalhau fritters accompanied by moist rice of your choice (bean, coriander or tomato), veal medallion and São Julião cheese sauce with crispy corn, pork tenderloin steaks with clam migas and rack of lamb in a parsley crust with sweet potato quenelle and greens. To finish off there is a buffet of regional desserts, fruits and Portuguese cheeses, conventual desserts and the typical pine nut tart. A very careful selection of mostly Alentejo wines. Service efficient and polite!

Restaurante Retiro Sadino Address: Avenida João Soares Branco, 5/6 7580-093 Alcácer do Sal Telephone: +351 265 613 086 Fax: +351 265 613 086 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.retirosadino.com Timetable and reservations: Reservations:: Recommended; Payments: Credit cards accepted; Target price: $$ (10€ - 20€); Characteristics and Services: Air conditioning; Capacity: 90; Outdoor parking; Panoramic View; Reserved area for non-smokers; Reserved area for smokers; Accessibility: Disabled access; Disabled access;

Alentejo

Alcácer do Sal The Alentejo Coast

The Alentejo coast stretches from the mouth of the River Sado to Zambujeira do Mar, and will surprise you for being such a well preserved coastal area, with small havens of sun and beach, hospitable people and good cuisine.

From Troia to Sines You can reach Troia via Alcácer do Sal or by ferry from Setúbal, crossing the River Sado estuary. On arrival, the Troia peninsula offers much to be explored. You can play golf, have surfing lessons, walk along the beach or watch the dolphins. You can also wander about to discover the region’s cultural heritage, such as the Carrasqueira village on stilts and the Troia Roman Ruins which actually reveal how the area was already rich in natural resources two thousand years ago.

After Troia, Comporta is a much appreciated spot for a family beach outing and has some good restaurants. This is a paddy field area, so rice-based dishes are an unmissable specialty.

Until Sines, the coast is an unbroken strip of sand, with pleasant beaches such as Pinheirinho and Galé. In Melides and Santo André, depending on your wishes and preferences, you may choose between the sea beaches and the lagoons. These are great places for canoeing and windsurfing.

Sines is one of the most important cities on the Alentejo coast and is an industrial port and a cape as well, making it a natural stopping point for visitors to the region. A traditional fishing port, it was here that Vasco da Gama, the great navigator, was born. Who knows, his travels may have inspired the Festival Músicas do Mundo, the world music festival that is held here annually in early summer.

From Sines to Zambujeira do Mar From the port of Sines, the natural sandy paradise changes and the smooth bays alternate with more scenic beaches with rock formations. Among these, the São Torpes, Morgável and Vale Figueiros beaches deserve a longer stop with the family. The great wealth of the subaquatic landscape of this area is also much appreciated for diving.

Along the tracks to the beach, you will find small places to eat fish in little villages overlooking the sea, like Porto Covo, a picturesque fishing village that welcomes you to a pretty square surrounded by low houses. The beach is very convivial and from its small port, with its colourful boats, you can reach the island of Pessegueiro opposite, visible out to sea.

Continue to Vila Nova de Milfontes, at the mouth of the River Mira. We suggest exploring around the ocean beach and the river by boat or canoe, with friends. You can even go up river to Odemira.

Almograve, amongst the cliffs and red dunes, is a sanctuary and one of the most appreciated beaches for surfing and body boarding. You can walk through the countryside to the beach from the town, past million-year old dunes and rock formations.

Further south, the Sardão Cape is a wild spot, but also a breathtaking lookout point over the jagged coast. It is the only place in the world where the white stork nests on the cliffs.

This inspiring tour continues to Zambujeira do Mar, with other beaches to be discovered. Here, like along the whole coast, surfers will find perfect waves to refine their style and have fun.

But the Alentejo coastline is not only beaches. To the south of Sines, you enter the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina (Southwestern Alentejo and Vicentina Coast Natural Park), abounding in hiking and mountain bike trails to choose from. The various marked trails along the 450km which make up the Vicentina Route, between Santiago do Cacém and São Vicente Cape, are a good way to get to know the region, come into contact with the everyday life of its residents and have other experiences of the local customs and traditions.

Useful Information

You will find information on hiking trails along the Alentejo coastline at www.visitalentejo.pt and www.rotavicentina.com. Before starting out, find out about the trails at the nearest tourist office.

Alentejo

Alcácer do Sal Alcácer do Sal

Graciously laid out over the right bank of the Sado river and rising up a gentle slope, Alcácer do Sal has been settled since the earliest of times. Archaeological remains have been found that date back to the Neolithic period not to mention evidence of Greek, Phoenician and other Mediterranean peoples having passed through.

Named by the Romans Salacia Urbs Imperatoria, the location took on major importance for the Empire due to its excellent location alongside the Sado river that was then an important thoroughfare. It was primarily used to transport local products (wheat, olive oil and wine) out to other parts of the Roman empire. At the time, Alcácer was one of the most important inland ports on the Western peninsula further establishing a reputation for manufacturing salt (hence the addition of Sal (salt) to its name) and salting and processing fish.

During the Moorish occupation (from the 8th century), Alcácer became capital of the Al-Kasser province. The walls of the old fort were reinforced with the Muslim city protected by two rings with the battlements overlooked by 30 towers making it one of the largest defensive forts on the Iberian peninsula.

Nevertheless, in 1217 it was conquered by king Afonso II, with the help of the Crusaders who joined the fight on their way from Syria and the Holy Land. It was then handed over to the Military Order of Santiago to establish its headquarters here.

While it may have lost its military and trading importance, Alcácer do Sal maintains intact its enviable beauty. From the castle, looking south, there is sharp bend in the river Sado, irrigating the smooth green plain that pre-empts the great Alentejan plain. Recently restored to take in a pousada (manor hotel), the castle is named after its Christian conqueror: Afonso II. From here, laid out below, around the four points of the compass, are magnificent panoramic views over the rivers and fields, ideal for reminiscing over the heavy and varied traffic that used to pass by below.

A wander around Alcácer do Sal reveals the most charming aspects of the city, with its alleys and stairways leading up to the castle. Take the opportunity to look in on some of the main points of interest such as the Church of Santa Maria do Castelo (Saint Mary of the Castle), the Chapel of Senhor dos Mártires (Lord of the Martyrs), the Church of Santo António (Saint Anthony), the Church of Santiago and the Municipal Museum of Archaeology.

2013 Turismo de Portugal. All rights reserved. 11/13 [email protected] In the vicinity, and all within a range of 30 km, do not miss out on the chance to see the villages of Santa Susana, Porto de Rei and Torrão or the Vale do Gaio dam. Should you prefer the coastline, there are some quality beaches to be had at Comporta, Torre, Carvalhal, Raposa or Galé.

Alentejo

Alcácer do Sal Posto de Turismo - Alcácer do Sal Posto de Turismo - Torrão Address: Largo Luís de Camões7580-117 Alcácer do Sal Address: Museu Etnográfico do Torrão Torrão do Telephone: +351 265 247 013 Fax: +351 265 247 012 Alentejo Rua das Torres 7595 Torrão / Álcacer do Sal Telephone: +351 265 669 203 Fax: +351 265 610 079 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.cm-alcacerdosal.pt E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.cm-alcacerdosal.pt