Castro Marim, the unknown medieval (and natural) paradise of the Algarve

Located on a hill overlooking the Guadiana River, the Castro Marim Marsh Nature Reserve and Vila Real de Santo António (with its salt pans),

is one of the jewels of the Portuguese Algarve.

Belonging to the district of Faro, the charming town with just over 2,000 inhabitants, located right on the border with Spain (from its highest point you can see Ayamonte, in Huelva), has everything to enjoy a complete and peaceful getaway: historical heritage with vestiges of its splendid past, a natural environment with beautiful landscapes along the river and also the sea, irresistible beaches nearby and a rich gastronomy.

For centuries, Castro Marim was a strategic port due to its location.

In it, the boats that went up the river stopped to collect metals, especially copper, extracted from mines in neighboring Alcoutim and Mértola, which gave prosperity to the town, which was also connected to Lisbon by a Roman road that It ran parallel to the Guadiana river.

The different peoples that have passed through here, Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs... have definitely left their mark.

What to visit?

The most emblematic (and visited) enclave is the

, located at the top of the town.

Considered one of the most important monuments of the Portuguese Middle Ages, it has its origin between the 10th and 12th centuries.

It is surrounded by a perfectly preserved wall that encloses an enclosure in which the old

, with a Renaissance portal, and the ruins of the buildings destroyed by the 1755 earthquake, among which the parish church of S. Tiago (14th century) and the palace of the governors stand out.

From the castle you can enjoy panoramic views over the river, the Sapal area, the mountains of the Algarve, Spain and the unique salt flats.

Since 1910, this fortress is considered National Heritage.

Ticket price: 1.10 euros.

Opposite the castle, on another of the town's hills, is the

a star-shaped defensive structure built in the 17th century.

Between the two buildings lies the

, with low houses with white facades and colorful cornices, roof terraces and grated chimneys, important features of traditional Algarve architecture.

Among the historic buildings are the

, which houses the Town Hall, or the

, built between the 18th and 19th centuries.

Nature reserves and beaches

Surrounding the town is the

a wetland area made up of a complex system of marshes, canals, brackish water masses, salt pans, dry spaces for agricultural use and a small area of ​​cork oak forest, which has become a great attraction for lovers of ornithology.

There you can see

.

It is an incredible place where the silence is only interrupted by the sound of the birds.

Less than 10 km from Castro Marim, some of the best beaches in the Algarve are located.

, named after the green that surrounds it, coming from a grove of stone pines that extends to the sand, stands out for its great length and for being little crowded even in the height of summer.

It has a large free car park and several restaurants and is perfect to go with children, as it has calm waters.

Another highly recommended is

an extensive golden sand between dunes and typical vegetation of the area.

It is famous for its suitable conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing.

Where to eat?

Tasca Medieval

(Rua 25 de Abril 65) is a restaurant located in the center of the city of Castro Marim that offers traditional cuisine from the region, such as

(traditionally made with bread, eggs, oil and galinha) and cataplana (it is a casserole with an original spherical shape, very similar to a bivalve) of shellfish.

15 euros.

To have a drink with an impressive view of Cabeço beach,

is the ideal place.

It is a beach bar with a relaxed atmosphere, but it also offers flavors from the Algarve, such as the cod

with prawns, the fish cataplana with clams and the razor clam rice.

: 20/25 euros.

Where to sleep?

Castro Marim Golf and Country Club

( Sítio do Lavajinho, Castro Marim) is a 230-hectare property located in this town with privileged views of the Guadiana River and the Atlantic Ocean.

It also has villas with private or shared pools.

From 105 euros.

Reservations here.

For large groups (although you can book for rooms), the

(Carretera Nacional 125, 6, Castro Marim) is the perfect place in the middle of nature on the outskirts of the city.

It is surrounded by beautiful gardens and an outdoor swimming pool, it is located 800 meters from the town of Castro Marim.

There are trails within the property, which allow guests to get in touch with nature.

: 100 euros per night.

Reservations here.

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