Christian armies conquered the Moors at Castro Marim in 1242 and immediately set about strengthening the defences. Moorish raiders continued to harass the town from North Africa and conflict often erupted with Portugal's new neighbours, the Kingdom of Castile. Castro Marim became the headquarters of the Knights Templar, which helped to increase the local population and bring wealth to the area. When the Templar headquarters transferred to Tomar, a period of decline followed. To reverse this pattern, in 1421 King D. João I granted Castro Marim the privilege of being a “sanctuary for fugitives” - a place of shelter for refugees and wanted men to attract new lifeblood. The town retained this privilege almost until the end of the 18th century.

Medieval Castle

The 10th Century Castle is the oldest of the two remaining defensive structures in Castro Marim. From its vantage point, the Castle can oversee the plains below well into Spain and to the coast. King D. Alfonso III erected most of what still stands today in the 13th century over the remains of the former Moorish fortress. The ramparts are in the shape of an irregular quadrangle with a cylindrical turret on each corner. The two gates may originate from the original Moorish castle. Within the walls of the castle, there ia a museum:

Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum
Opened inside the original keep in 2007, this small museum displays finds from archaeological digs on the hillside surrounding the castle. On display are an interesting collection of pottery, coins, tombstones, and other artefacts from different historical periods, including the Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman and evidence of early human occupation in Castro Marim.
Daily 10h00 - 12h00/15h00 - 18h00 | Included in Castle entance ticket

Amongst the other surviving buildings within the ramparts is the Igreja de Santiago church dedicated to St. James and a somewhat gruesome torture museum. For five days at the end of August each year, the castle becomes the centrepiece during the village's Medieval Days Festival recreating medieval life. This spectacular pageant and fair offers plenty of entertainment, including horseback archery, jousting, and musical events whilst jesters entertain the crowd. During the night-time hours, medieval plays are performed before awed crowds. 37° 13' 07.7" N | 07° 26' 30.4" W

Castle Entrance:
Daily 10h00 - 12h00/15h00 - 18h00 | €2.00

Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Mártires, Matriz de Castro Marim church

Outside the walls of the castle is the Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Mártires, Matriz de Castro Marim church. It sits on the site of a 16th-century hermitage dedicated to the Martyrs (Mártires) who sacrificed their lives during the Reconquest of this part of the Algarve. The church has been remodelled and enlarged many times throughout its lifespan, most notably after the devastating earthquake of 1755. The late 18th-century façade has a Baroque doorway, a triangular pediment and three large windows illuminating the interior. A large dome sits on the roof, surmounted by a false lantern.

The interior's main features are the neoclassical altarpieces, a 15th-century statue of the archangel São Miguel (St Michael) and a 16th-century statue of Nossa Senhora dos Mártires (Our Lady of Martyrs). There are other statues dating from the 18th century, including one of Santa Luzia. Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Mártires, Matriz de Castro Marim church underwent further restoration following a fire in 1960. The church can only be visited during mass hours.
8950-137 Castro Marim, Portugal. | 37° 13′ 03.7″ N | 07° 26′ 29.5″ W

The Town

Castro Marim was once encircled by town walls, defining the area that is now the old town. Castro Marim is typically Algarvian; sleepy and unpretentious. The cobbled streets are lined with trees and whitewashed low-lying houses adorned with coloured trims around the doors and windows. There are small squares and cafés where you can soak up the laid-back ambience. The town's turbulent history is a distant memory. People leisurely go about their business. There is no hurry here.

Forte de São Sebastião

By the 17th century, the mighty medieval castle at Castro Marim had become inadequate. The Forte de São Sebastião is designed to repel cannon fire and became essential during the Restoration Wars with Spain. When constructed in 1640, it was a part of larger fortifications encircling the town. King Dom João IV ordered two additional lines of defence, turning the whole village into a fortress by surrounding it with walls that extended from the castle to the Forte de São Sebastião on the opposite hillside. | 37° 12' 58.4" N | 07° 26' 38.6" W

Revelim de Santo António

The Revelim de Santo António is a former outpost of the town's defences. It faces Spain overlooking the flat wetlands and the Guadiana River. Inside the walls, there remains the Capela de Santo António (St Anthony’s Chapel), a traditional windmill, and the local interpretation centre housing a small museum.

Jardim Andaluz

On the hillside below the Revelim de Santo António, facing the Guadiana River is the delightful Jardim Andaluz. This small but beautifully landscaped garden showcases traditional Andalusian architecture and plants. Within the garden is an array of gazebos, pillars and water features providing relief from the midday heat. | 37° 12' 56.3" N | 07° 26' 23.2" W

The coastline east of Tavira and stretching onwards to the Spanish border and the River Guadiana has some of the most beautiful beaches of Algarve. Devoid of cliffs and rocky outcrops; blessed with swathes of soft golden sands; backed by forests, dunes and shrubs and relatively uncommercial.

Praia da Alagoa (Altura)

The up-and-coming resort of Altura stands alongside the long stretch of sandy beach and dunes. Wooden walkways lead to various parts of the beach, giving you the opportunity (especially on the western walkway) to observe how the dune vegetation changes from the inland edge of the dunes to the side facing the sea. On the inland side, the vegetation makes the dunes appear taller. Next to the sea, where the dunes are higher, there is an abundance of European beach grass, sea holly, fluffy cottonweed and eye-catching beach daffodils. The beach is vast, stretching as far as the eye can see, and the sea is calm and warm. There are facilities for a variety of beach activities and water sports. To the east the greenery around the beach becomes denser, where you can glimpse the resort of Monte Gordo through the coastal pines.
There is plenty of organised parking at the central section of the beach. The various support infrastructures include restaurants, WC, information and recreational facilities. Lifeguards on duty in the high season. This is an accessible beach. | 37° 10’ 11.8”N | 07° 29’ 52.7”W

Praia Verde

As its name suggests, Praia Verde is surrounded by pine forests growing down the gentle hills to the sands. The trees have a curious mushroom shape and the undergrowth is rich and dense throughout the forest. Fabulous panoramic views overlook the sandy coast from the car park serving the beach. This is located inside the tourist complex surrounding the beach. To get down to the sands, you follow a path lined by tall retamal bushes, typical of the sandy eastern Algarve. Once on the beach, you will see delicate plants such as beach grass, eye-catching sea daffodils and aromatic curry plants. An old well on the beach is a remnant from when the sea did not come so far inland. The atmosphere is hot, bright and dry, and the sea is calm and warm.
The various support infrastructures include restaurants, WC, information and recreational facilities. Lifeguards are on duty in the summer holiday season. | 37° 10’ 26.0” N | 07° 28’ 49.3” W

Praia do Cabeço

The path to the beach cuts through a tourist complex where you can still see signs of the old rural landscape. The cork oaks and olive trees gradually give way to the dune pines typical of this coastline. Inside the dense pine forest you will find strawberry trees, mastic trees, wild asparagus and aromatic plants such as curry plants and rosemary. The shade and deep green of the vegetation are comforting. If you look closely, you may be able to spot indolent chameleons and birds with a curious crest reminiscent of a giant butterfly. Close to the beach, the scenery is dominated by dunes with maritime pines and the typical bridal veil broom growing on them, while on the crests of the dunes closest to the sea, you will see beach grass. Next to the beach’s eastern walkway, there is an entrance to a stretch of the “ecovia” (cycle route) that goes to Monte Gordo. The beach is vast yet peaceful. The waters are safe and warm.
There is plenty of informal parking at the eastern, central and western sections of the beach. Ammenities include restaurants, WC, information and recreational facilities. There are lifeguards on duty in the summer holiday season. This is an accessible beach. | 37° 10’ 32.1” N | 07° 28’ 14.2” W