Travel guide and travel tips to visit Portugal

Mertola, a small fortified village on the banks of the Guadiana River next to the Algarve hills and where the river becomes less deep. When you arrive in Mértola from the Algarve, you can immediately see at the top of its hill and with an imposing air the old castle and all its old houses within the walls.

Despite the importance that this village had in the past, for its port and later for the exploration of the São Domingos Mine, it is currently quite calm and is far from the hustle and bustle of the big urban centers and mass tourism of the Algarve. Its climate, invites you to take a quiet stroll through its alleys, always aiming at the castle, which, above, dominates the surrounding landscape.

Visiting the Alentejo region and not taste its gastronomy is as the popular saying goes, "go to Rome and not see the Pope". In Mertola there are many restaurants to choose from and there is good suggestions for tasting the specialties. Migas, gaspacho, wild pork, cheeses, traditional sausages, river fish dishes and all other specialties are not lacking in the menus of the various restaurants.

A few kilometers from Mértola is a small oasis in the middle of a dry Alentejo and with high temperatures during spring and summer. Following the N265 road, the small village of São Domingos Mine has its Tapada Grande River Beach at the entrance. This river beach has animation, sand, water sports, beach bar, shadows and lots, lots of water. This is a place to enjoy as much as you can.

Also interesting is a visit to the mining village of Pomarão, where the train line ended and where the ore was transferred to the ships to then follow its destination. In this area you can still see some of the mechanisms used and go through the tunnels where the train passed.

Located 18 km from Mértola is the well-known Pulo do Lobo Waterfall, which is a great attraction for those exploring the stunning landscapes of the Guadiana Valley Natural Park. The waterfall is formed in a narrower area of the Guadiana River that, according to legend, a hunting wolf crosses it in one jump.