 |
Vila Real de Santo Antonio GuideOn the border with Spain, along the coast, east from Tavira, you'll find the town of Vila Real de Santo Antonio. It lies at the mouth of the River Guadiana, which forms the border with Spain. An historic fishing port, the style of the architecture here is somewhat different to that you'll find elsewhere is the Algarve.
Vila Real de Santo Antonio is full of history. In the 17th Century, the town, which was closer to the sea then, was submerged by a tidal wave. It was rebuilt by the Marquis of Pombal in the 18th Century apparently in 5 months (although I find this hard to believe as my house extension took nearly 3 months).
The town is designed on a symmetrical grid system, radiating out from the central square, the Praca Marques de Pombal. This is the main feature of the town. It is a black and white mosaic square, broad and open with an obelisk in the centre, surrounded by town houses and bordered with orange trees.
Things to see and do in and around Vila Real de Santo AntonioVila Real de Santo Antonio town is a great place to wander around. There are plenty of shops, bars and restaurants to peruse or just simply admire the architecture and the yellow and white painted houses.
To the east of the Praca Marques de Pombal is the Manuel Cabanas Museum, containing the artist’s paintings and wood engravings.
Why not take a walk along the esplanade by the river. Look across for great views of Ayamonte in Spain. Or visit the Marina and wander round the shops and restaurants, admiring the boats you can't afford.
Vila Real de Santo Antonio is a great base, if you want to take a trip over the river and the border into Spain for the day. You can either take the ferry to Ayamonte, which leave regularly from the ferry port each day. It only takes 15 or 20 minutes to get across the river and takes cars as well as foot passengers.
The alternative is to use the modern motorway suspension bridge that crosses the Guadiana is 4km north of Vila Real de Santo Antonio. If you do decide to venture into Spain, then remember to take your passport.
Take a boat rip up the River GuadianaIf you fancy a relaxing excursion, then why not take a boat cruise up the River Guadiana’s to Alcoutim. There are some great views of the tidal mills and scrublands, and if your lucky you’ll get to see some flamingos.
Castro MarimDominated by a large hill with a castle on it, Castro Marim is 3km to the north of Vila Real de Santo António. The castle, originally built in the 13th Century, only outer walls remain as it was destroyed in the Great Earthquake of 1755.
Inside the casle walls is enclosed an even older castle, the remains of which can still be seen.From the castle there are some great views over the salt pans and the River Guadiana.
The fort of São Sebastião is nearby. This was built in 1641 to defend the country against Spanish invasions. Beyond the fort, at the mouth of the river are the salt flats of the Sapal Nature reserve.
Sapal Nature reserveIn the area between Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Castro Marim in the mouth of the River Guadiana, you'll find the nature reserve "Sapal de Castro Marim".
It is formed by salty marshes, salt-pans and creeks which are home thousands of aquatic birds, including flamingos, storks, avocets, dunlins, plovers and redshanks. It is also a breeding ground for many aquatic species, while the drier and higher surroundings are home to other bird species, including birds of prey. There is also great wealth of flora, with over 400 different types of plants.
An interesting is a visit to the saltworks, although it is a walk of just over a mile to get there from Castro Marim. Go in the spring or summer to see it in operation. It is made up of small reservoirs and ponds, which evaporate and by June these are covered with a layer of white crystals and are ready to be harvested.
Beach resort of Monte GordoMonte Gordo, is the Algarve’s last ‘resort’ before reaching Spain. It used to be a small fishing village, but has now grown into a holiday destination now with hotels, apartments and bars and restaurants. Find out more about Monte Gordo hereReturn from Vila Real de Santo Antonio Page to Eastern Algarve page
|
