Focus on Alcoutim

Alcoutim is a pretty village on the banks of the Guadiana river, about 40km north of Vila Real de Santo António. As long ago as 2,500BC, the region  around Alcoutim attracted people because of the deposits of  copper, iron and manganese and in Roman times a number of mines were established. The ores were smelted locally and then shipped down the Guadiana to the Mediterranean. Alcoutim became quite an important settlement as it is here that the river becomes tidal and the ships often had to wait for hours for the tides. The remains of a 14th century castle can be seen on the hillside overlooking Alcoutim and now houses a small archaeological museum. Similar castle remains can be seen on the hill on the Spanish side of the river, overlooking the village of São Lucas do Guadiana. They are visible reminders of the times when Portugal and Castile were at war with each other, and it was in the middle of the river opposite Alcoutim that Kings Henrique and Fernando I signed a peace treaty.

Alcoutim is a hillside town of cobbled streets, small squares and a paved promenade along the river front, which is overlooked by a handful of cafes and restaurants.The river is quite narrow at this point and various sailing boats and river craft float gently on the waters, with a backdrop of rolling, green hills. The church near the river front originates from the 16th century, but has been re-built on a number of occasions. Over the porch are the arms of the Marquises of Vila Real and Counts of Alcoutim. Even if you are not staying in Alcoutim it really is worth driving there, not only to see the town itself, but also to enjoy the unspoilt countryside that you pass through.

If you follow the EN122 north from Castro Marim, the first small detour is to the left on the 1132 to the Barragem do Beliche (dam). Go back to the EN122 and continue north until a right turn to Foz de Odeleite (on the 1063). This is where the Ribeira (brook) de Odeleite joins the Guadiana river. The surrounding area is rich in wild flowers and there are a few houses interspersed with vegetable gardens and fruit trees dotted along the roadside. There are a few moorings along the banks of the river as it gently meanders through the countryside with the rounded, green hills in the background. It is so peaceful and a wonderful area to walk in, and is quite unlike the Algarve that most people know. Carry on through Álamo to Laranjeiras and Montinho das Laranjeiras (where the remains of a Roman villa have been uncovered) and finally to Alcoutim.

Alcoutim is in a beautiful setting- sitting on the bank of the Guadiana river with rolling, green hills as a backdrop. In the springtime the countryside is full of wild flowers of all colours – a perfect time for long walks. It is so different from the south coast beach resorts and yet only about half an hour’s drive away. Courtesy of www.AlcoutimUncovered.com