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    Mértola

    Portugal

    Mértola

    CityCulture

    Mértola lies on a rock above the Guadiana, in the far south of the Alentejo. The small town was an important Roman port, later a centre of the Islamic Gharb.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Portugal
    7. Alentejo
    9. Mértola
    Mértola lies on a rock above the Guadiana, in the far south of the Alentejo. The small town was an important Roman port, later a centre of the Islamic Gharb. The main church was formerly a mosque, its prayer niche is still preserved.

    Sights in Mértola

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Square of Artichoke

    1Square of Artichoke

    Small square in the old town with ancient columns, found during excavations. A stop on the way up to the castle.
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    Witch's Mill Viewpoint

    2Witch's Mill Viewpoint

    Viewpoint by an old windmill with the classic view of Mértola, its castle, and the Guadiana. Particularly beautiful in the late afternoon.
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    Ponte de Mértola

    3Ponte de Mértola

    The road bridge over the Guadiana. From here and the bank below, you get a good view of how the old town lies on the steep slope above the river.
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    Ermida de Nossa Senhora das Neves

    4Ermida de Nossa Senhora das Neves

    Small white chapel on the edge of town, today part of Mértola's museum network. Check opening hours beforehand.
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    Castelo de Mértola
    Museum

    5Castelo de Mértola

    The castle on the rock above the confluence of Guadiana and Ribeira de Oeiras. From the keep, views extend over rooftops, river, and barren hills. Below, an archaeological site with Roman and Islamic remains.
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    Food & Beverages

    1

    ajikura

    Restaurant in R. Dr. Afonso Costa 1.
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    2

    Espaço Vila Velha

    Restaurant in R. Dom Sancho II 41.
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    3

    Espaço Casa Amarela

    Restaurant in Estrada dos Celeiros.
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    4

    Novo Sanremo

    Restaurant in Av. Aureliano Mira Fernandes.
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    Spirit

    Under the Moors, the city was called Martulah and was at times the capital of its own Taifa kingdom. After the Christian reconquest in the 13th century, the mosque was converted into a church; its form, with multiple naves and the Mihrab, is still clearly visible. Every two years in May, the Festival Islâmico takes place, featuring a market, music, and handicrafts.

    On the way

    Explore the old town on foot; the alleys are steep. Buses to Beja and the Algarve are infrequent, so you're much more flexible by car. Park down by the river or at the town entrance.

    Accommodations in Mértola

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    Campgrounds in Mértola

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    Plan your trip to Mértola

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      Sunrise over alpine peaks and a sea of clouds
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      • 1Square of Artichoke3 days
      • 2Witch's Mill Viewpoint4 days
      • 3Ponte de Mértola5 days
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    Nearby

    Beja

    Beja

    Beja is the largest city in the lower Alentejo and is often overlooked by tourists. Yet, this tranquil city boasts one of Portugal's tallest castle towers, a museum worth seeing in a former monastery, and an old town with white alleyways.
    Tavira

    Tavira

    Tavira is one of the Algarve's most beautiful towns: white houses with hipped roofs, many churches, and an old bridge over the Rio Gilão. Outside the town are the lagoons of the Ria Formosa and the sandy island Ilha de Tavira.
    Algarve

    Algarve

    The Algarve is Portugal's south coast and the country's most famous holiday destination. To the west, golden limestone cliffs, grottoes, and small coves define the scenery; to the east, flat sandy islands and the lagoons of the Ria Formosa. Between them lie fishing villages, resorts, and a quiet, hilly hinterland.
    Faro

    Faro

    Faro is the capital of the Algarve and for most, merely the airport. Yet, the city boasts a tranquil, walled old town with a cathedral, a lively pedestrian zone, and right on its doorstep, the lagoons of the Ria Formosa.
    Albufeira

    Albufeira

    Albufeira is the largest resort on the Algarve. The former fishing village became a city with many hotels, bars and beaches. The small old town above Praia dos Pescadores has preserved its white core.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Unsplash, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI