Alcácer do Sal
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ALCÁCER DO SAL

The attractive little town of Alcácer do Sal stands on the north bank of the Rio Sado 52 Kilometres (32 miles) from Setúbal and set amongst salt pans, coniferous woodland and flooded rice fields. The town is crowned by a medieval castle. In its vaults is a superb museum that illustrates 2,700 years of history. The estuary is home to a pod of dolphins who menace the local fishermen by biting wholes in their nets to feed on the fish caught inside.

THE TOWN

Alcácer do Sal

|   View of Alcácer do Sal from the Rio Sado

The town was founded by the ancient Phoenicians in the sixth century BC. Under Roman rule, it was called Salacia and was a significant trading port. Goods such as wheat, olive oil and wine left Alcácer do Sal and exported throughout the Roman world. Alcácer grew into one of the most important cities in Iberia and celebrated for salt production, curing and the manufacture of fish sauce. The Moorish occupation started in the 8th century. Alcácer became the regional capital of the Al Qaşr province (meaning "Castle"). The Moors rebuilt the Roman walls and built the first incarnation of the town's castle.

For today's travellers, Alcácer do Sal is becoming recognised as a vital stop when en-route to the inner Alentejo or the silver coast. Yet there's plenty here and around to make the town an ideal place to base yourself for a few days at least. The town boasts several fine old buildings which are testament to the town's former prosperity, especially along the attractive riverfront.

Just off the riverfront is the palm tree-lined Largo Pedro Nunes square where you'll find the imposing façade of the town hall. Standing in the centre of the square is the statue of the famous mathematician, cosmographer and professor Pedro Nunes who was born here in 1502. It was his calculations in the study of navigation and the invention of the 'Nunios' or 'Vernier scale' which were vital for Portugal's age of discovery.

ALCÁCER DO SAL CASTLE

High atop the 62-metre hill overlooking the town is the age-old castle built over Roman foundations by the moors for whom Alcaçer do Sal was an important outpost. Under the rule of Abd al-Rahman III, Alcácer do Sal became a district capital and naval shipyard, making the most of its close proximity to the Atlantic. The Moorish pair of walls once proudly sported 20 towers over 25 metres tall. The edifice took on a peaceful role as a monastery when in 1186 King Sancho I "the Populator" donated the castle to the Order of Santiago. By the 16th Century, Alcácer's military importance was a distant memory. The castle became a convent and many of the defensive walls were torn down to reuse the stone. Today the opulent Pousada Dom Afonso II hotel occupies the grounds and offers amazing views over the town, River Sado and the lush green paddy fields beyond.


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Alcácer do Sal Castle

|   Alcácer do Sal Castle

TOP TOURS OF ALCÁCER DO SAL

Private Tour to Alentejo coast, Comporta beach, Alcacer do Sal and Setubal

Alentejo coast, Comporta beach, Alcácer do Sal and Setúbal

Alentejo Coast is considered the most beautiful in Portugal. The region, we will visit, is of long sandy beaches and a wonderful river estuary. We will leave ascais, Sintra, Lisbon or Oeiras at 8 am and we will head to Comporta beach, on the way, a shortstop is done for coffee, arriving at Comporta you will have a couple of hours on the beach, to enjoy the sand, the sea and a drink in the local beach bar. Next a visit to Sado Estuary, including the famous and traditional "Cais Palafitico", the region is also known for rice production and salt. After lunch, we will visit the historical town of Alcácer do Sal and the fishing town of Setubal.

NEW TOUR | 10 Hr | ✔ Free Cancellation

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Dolphin Watching in the Wild - Half Day Boat Tour

Dolphin Watching in the Wild
Half Day Boat Tour

Catch sight of bottlenose dolphins in the wild on this dolphin watching tour from Lisbon. Head from your hotel to the Sado Estuary, home to one of the largest populations of sedentary bottlenose dolphins in Europe. On the way, stop to snap photos at a vista point, sample local wines at a vineyard, and tour the Arrabida Natural Park in Setubal, all before boarding your boat along the Costa Azul. Dolphin watching tour in Sado Estuary from Lisbon. Other stops make a full-day trip out of the journey. The first portion of the tour is operated with just your guide and a private group. All transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

(64) | 9 Hr | ✔ Free Cancellation

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Arrabida and Azeitao Private Tour with Wine and Cheese

Arrabida & Wine Experience

Arrábida Natural Park covers an area of 10,800 hectares, covering areas of the municipalities of Setúbal, Palmela and Sesimbra. Enjoying a wine tasting is one of the most famous and emblematic treasures of this region that you will find in a great tour. We are specialised in services and unique travel experiences in Portugal. Our experience is your guarantee that we understand, meet and exceed your expectations. We invite you to experience the authenticity of a full-day tour through Arrábida, Setúbal & Palmela.

NEW TOUR | 8 Hr | ✔ Free Cancellation

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WHERE TO STAY IN ALCÁCER DO SAL

Pousada de Alcacer do Sal Dom Afonso II

Pousada de Alcacer do Sal Dom Afonso II ★ ★ ★ ★

8.4/10 Very Good (897 verified customer reviews)


Alcácer do Sal which overlooks this pretty town and affords amazing views. The result is a hotel bursting with character and great interior design, with the "modern" tastefully incorporated into the old. Rooms and bathrooms are spacious, clean and comfortable. The staff are friendly and welcoming.

Castelo de Alcácer do Sal, 7580-197, Alcácer do Sal, Portugal.
38º 22" 22.5' N | 08º 30" 50.1' W

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Hotel Ordem de Santiago

Hotel Ordem de Santiago

8.2/10 Very Good (893 verified customer reviews)


This small cosy hotel is ideally located close to the riverfront amongst a street of restaurants. Friendly and welcoming staff are always keen to help. The continental breakfast is served in the upstairs bar with great views out over the river.

Rua Rui Coelho 47, Alcacer do Sal, 7580-168, Portugal.
38º 22" 21.3' N | 08º 30" 39.9' W

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Herdade das Barradas da Serra

Herdade das Barradas da Serra

9.4/10 Superb (221 verified customer reviews)


Herdade das Barradas da Serra offers a peaceful countryside escape near Grândola, just 4 km from the town centre. This charming Alentejo farm stay features a seasonal outdoor swimming pool with sun loungers, perfect for relaxing under the Portuguese sun. Surrounded by 600 hectares of scenic farmland, it's ideal for nature walks, cycling, and peaceful getaways.

Guests enjoy stylish rooms and suites, each uniquely decorated with natural light, air conditioning, flat-screen TV, and private bathroom with free toiletries. Many open directly onto a terrace with views of the pool and countryside. Free WiFi is available throughout. A complimentary breakfast is served daily, and a bar/snack bar offers local drinks to enjoy in the serene landscape. Local restaurants are just 5 minutes away by car. Galé Beach is 19 km from the property, ideal for sunbathing and water sports. Lisbon Airport is 118 km away—perfect for a tranquil Alentejo holiday.

Estrada Nacional 261-1, Km 16, 7570-351 Grândola, Portugal.
38° 11' 35.7" N | 08° 36' 59.8" W

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WHERE TO EAT IN ALCÁCER DO SAL

A Escola

This former primary school is well worth the trip out of Alcaçer or to pop in if passing. The decor is a little quirky which includes poetry about schooldays on the walls. The waiting staff are friendly and welcoming and the food is reasonably priced considering the excellent quality. Look out for their house speciality; rabbit pie!

Monday: CLOSED, Tuesday - Sunday: 15h30/19h15 - 22h30
Estrada Nacional 253, Cachopos, Alcácer do Sal 7580-308, Portugal.
38º 23" 48.7' N | 08º 39" 20.1' W | +351 265 612 816 | rest.aescola@iol.pt

A Escola

Hortelã da Ribeira, A Descoberta

A good honest establishment serving good honest nosh from the Setúbal and Alentejo districts in typical belly busting portions. Wonderful views is sat on the outside seating over looking the river. A good selection of local wines available to accompany your meals, all at reasonable prices.

Monday: CLOSED, Tuesday - Sunday: 11h30 - 23h30
Avenida Joao Soares Branco 15-16, Alcacer do Sal 7580-166, Portugal.
38º 22" 17.3' N | 08º 30" 31.5' W | +351 265 612 244 | maria_helena_fidelis@hotmail.com

Hortelã da Ribeira, A Descoberta

O Ninho

Traditional Portuguese cuisine with an individual twist, specialising in seafood notably Razor clams (Lingueirão) with rice, it pays to ask about the catch of the day as it may be off menu. Great views over looking the river

Monday: 12h00 - 15h00, Tuesday - Saturday: 12h00 - 15h00/19h00 - 20h00, Sunday: CLOSED
Rua Cândido dos Reis, 14 (Av. João Soares Branco), 7580-132 Alcácer do Sal, Portugal.
38º 42" 22.8' N | 08º 55" 23.4' W | +351 265 613 233 | geral@restauranteoninho.net

O Ninho

IGREJA DE SANTA MARIA

Igreja de Santa Maria

|   Igreja de Santa Maria

Within the castle walls is the quaint Romanesque church of Santa Maria which present structure dates back to the 13th century. It was built following the Christian reconquest of Alcácer in 1217. Constructed over the remains of a Pagan temple and a Mosque, the church sports three naves and several interesting features, such as the 18th-century pulpit, supported by an angel, the sumptuous gilded 16th-century chapels and magnificent tiles from the early 17th century. A stone sculpture stands over the façade features the symbols of the Order of Santiago, the crossed-sword, scallop shells, the hat and garb of a pilgrim.

April to October Monday: CLOSED, Tuesday - Sunday: 10h00 - 13h0015h00 - 19h00
FREE
Rua do Castelo, Santa Maria do Castelo, Alcacer do Sal 7580, Portugal.
38° 22' 21" N | 08° 30' 47" W
+351 265 622 213

TRÓIA PENINSULA

The opposite bank of the Sado estuary lies the long narrow sand bar of Tróia. 19 miles (30km) of unbroken beach, dunes and woodland are a great attraction for sunbathers and walkers. The flat topography makes it also ideal for cycling. The northern tip is where you'll find most development. Here too there is an exceptional 18-hole golf course. Halfway down are the remains of a Roman town, Cetobriga, destroyed by a tidal wave in 412 AD was an important fishing and trading post. [ More About ► ]

Atlantic Ferries
The peninsular is well serviced by two regular ferries from terminals around Doca do Comércio in Setúbal.
Atlantic Ferries - Tráfego Local, Fluvial e Marítimo, S.A. Doca do Comércio 2900, Setúbal, Portugal.
38° 31' 18.1" N | 08° 53' 07.2" W
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Tróia Peninsula

|   Tróia Peninsula

RESERVA NATURAL DO ESTUÁRIO DO SADO

Reserva Natural do Estuário do Sado

|   Sado Estuary Nature Reserve

The source of the River Sado is in the Serra da Vigia, near Beja, it meanders its way across the plains of the Alentejo, travelling 112 miles northward until emptying into the sea near Setúbal. The river's estuary opens up just outside Alcácer do Sal, creating a highly fertile floodplain characterised by rice fields and nests of white storks, perched on top of church steeples or electricity pylons. This elegant bird always chooses the highest places to build its nest and is just one of 200 bird species that inhabit the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve. The Sado estuary is also one of the few places in Europe where you'll find wild free-swimming dolphins and it's these friendly yet cheeky creatures who have become the symbol of the nature reserve.

The estuary also creates resources for man to extract. The fertile soil is ideal for cork oak groves from which cork is extracted, pine groves, whose pinenuts used in local cuisine and salt pans that brought so much wealth to the area in centuries past.

WHAT TO DO

Museu Municipal Pedro Nunes

Museu Municipal Pedro Nunes

Housed within the 17th century Manueline Igreja do Espirito Santo church, a national monument. Step inside the churches fine Manueline portal into the space where King Manuel married Maria of Castile. The museum's collection spans eras dating between the Paleolithic to the period of the formation of Portugal.

FREE
Monday: CLOSED, Tuesday - Sunday: 09h30 - 13h00/15h00 - 18h30
1A Rua do Município, 7580-189 Alcácer do Sal, Portugal.
38º 25' 41.2" N | 08º 31' 19.4" W
+351 265 610 040
museu.nunes@m-alcacerdosal.pt
Website

Museu Do Arroz (Rice Museum)

Museu Do Arroz (Rice Museum)

Located at the prestigious Herdade da Comporta inside an old rice mill that dates back to 1952 from when it was first established. The museum highlights the history and importance of the local rice industry, the cultural impact on the region as well as a collection of tools and machinery related to the trade.
Adults: €2.00, Concessionary: €1.00
June - September: Tuesday - Sunday 16h00 - 20h00
November - May: Friday - Sunday 10h00 - 13h00/14h00 - 17h00
Espaço Comporta, 7580 - 610 Comporta, Portugal.
38º 22' 48.7" N | 08º 47' 25.0" W
+351 265 497 407
museudoarroz@herdadedacomporta.pt
Website

Rotas do Sal, Dolphin & Bird watching

Rotas do Sal, Dolphin & Bird watching

The Sado estuary is a permanent home to 30 or so dolphins and are a major attraction for visitors and locals alike. Rotas do Sal offer boat trips to see these marvellous creatures in their natural habitat. The team also offer trips to the large expanses of mud, marshes, salt flats and sand which are home to a large number of birds.

Rotas do Sal (Turismo de Natureza - atividades nautical), Estação C.P. 7580-303 Alcácer do Sal, Portugal.

38º 22" 21.3' N | 08º 30" 39.8' W
+351 962 375 950
rotasdosal@gmail.com
Website

BEACHES

Just 20 miles west of Alcácer do Sal is the gem of a coastline that forms the northern end of the Alentejan coastline.

Praia da Comporta

Located on the southern tip of the Tróia Peninsula, a little west of Comporta village, the two-mile stretch of Comporta Beach is a popular choice for local people. It forms part of the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve and its dune system has been well preserved. The waves are lively enough for surfing and boards can be hired on site. It has good means of access and plenty of parking space. 38° 22' 51.4" N | 08° 48' 12.6" W


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Praia do Carvalhal

Access is achieved via a well-surfaced road through paddy fields that give way to pine trees. The mile-long stretch of sand is surrounded by dunes and bathed by calm waters. The beach and dunes are traversed on wooden boardwalks. There are ample car parking facilities and the village of Carvalhal is close at hand.
38° 18' 20.0" N | 08° 46' 49.8" W

Praia do Pêgo

The beaches amenities and easy reach of the Estrada Regional 2611 have caused Praia do Pêgo to be increasingly popular over the last few years. It has a three-mile expanse of sands backed up by lush green vegetation on the dunes easily traversed on wooden walkways. The swell is slight and the water clear.
38° 17' 34.7" N | 08° 46' 39.7" W

Praia da Comporta

|  Praia da Comporta


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HOW TO GET TO ALCÁCER DO SAL

90.2km (56.1 miles) south east of Lisbon Portela Airport Website

Hotel Deal in Porto
 

From Lisbon cross the Ponte Vasco da Gama bridge over the Tejo, take the A12 south untill the N6 turn off, take eastward route. Latitude - 38º 22' 21.1" | Longitude - 08º 30' 46.9"

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Sadly trains no longer run to Alcácer do Sal

Rodoviária do Alentejo run coach services all over the Alentejo and beyond, linking the region to major cities within Central and Southern Portugal: Website