Mértola Travel Guide

 
by quartinb
 
  •   Mértola
    by quartinb
  •   Mértola
    by quartinb
  • Mertola from the Castle
      Mertola from the Castle
    by jorgec25
  • Corta
      Corta
    by jorgec25
  • Pomarão
      Pomarão
    by jorgec25
 

Explore Mértola

Things to Do  

The Castle

The Castle, Mértola

 solopes Says:  Coming from the 9th century, this Muslim castle was conquered by the Portuguese in 1238. The successive enlargements and reinforcements gave it a different look. Abandoned in the 18th century and ruined, it was partially recovered in the 20th century and today is part of the... 

Arab market

Arab market, Mértola

 veigapaula Says:  Inside the old city, islamic streets,narrow and colorful. Once a year, there is the Arab market Fair.Handicraft, food and music... 

Islamic Museum

Islamic Museum, Mértola

 veigapaula Says:  Great collection, nice facilities, some exquisit artifacts... 

Pomarão

Pomarão, Mértola

 jorgec25 Says:  Pomarão is a very small place, not more than 2 or 3 streets, near the river bank. While the S. Domingos Mine was in activity, Pomarão was the harbour from where the major part of the production was transported. Nowadays, it´s almost deserted. Hopefully, the new international... 

Pleasant rest

Pleasant rest, Mértola

 solopes Says:  Alentejo is, at our scale, a large province that stands in the way to Algarve. Most people coming from the north cross it without stopping, anxious to relax by the sea. But that is not a wise solution. You may, as we say, "join the useful to the pleasant", and make a... 

The S. Domingos River Beach

The S. Domingos River Beach, Mértola

 jorgec25 Says:  the river beach located near the S. Domingos Mine is one of the best and most clean river beaches in Portugal. I went there in the winter, so the place was empty and i could really feel how peaceful the surrounding area is. Truly, a must see. 

S. Domingos Mine - the grounds

S. Domingos Mine - the grounds, Mértola

 jorgec25 Says:  the grounds of the ancient mine are huge. Despite being in ruins, you can still picture how it must have been in the past, with hundreds of people working there. The best way to visit the whole site is bi bycicle. 

S. Domingos Mine - Corta

S. Domingos Mine - Corta, Mértola

 jorgec25 Says:  The "Corta" of the ancient mine is an incredible place, almost surreal. The ground is partially flooded and the water is very acid, with strong coulors. The whole place seems like a piece of planet Mars. 

Restaurants  

Casa de Pasto " A Taberna": The ultimate local gastronomic experience

Casa de Pasto " A Taberna": The ultimate local gastronomic experience, Mértola

 jorgec25 Says:  This small restaurant, owned by Mr. Sebastião, is a bit off the beaten path, but it´s a must. If you can't find it, just ask a local and probably everybody will know how to guide you there.Don't be put off by the outside appearance. Go right in, say hello to Mr. Sebastião... 

Pensão S. Domingos: Typical food at an excellent price!

Pensão S. Domingos: Typical  food at an excellent price!, Mértola

 jorgec25 Says:  The small restaurant "Pensão S. Domingos" maybe modest. But if your looking for a place where you can taste local dishes at a great price, and 100% homemade cooking, and if you don´t care for luxury, this a very good option. Black Pork and Perca (a river fish) 

Transportation  

Buses that go to Algarve...go to Mertola too.

Buses that go to Algarve...go to Mertola too., Mértola

 veigapaula Says:  You can catch a bus in Arco do Cego Main Station in Lisbon to go to Mertola. 

Local Customs  

Small local industries

Small local industries, Mértola

 veigapaula Says:  Incrementation of local textiles and pottery gives more and more people a job.The site listed down has a directory of all regions of Portugal's artisans. 

Off The Beaten Path  

Pulo do Lobo

Pulo do Lobo, Mértola

 solopes Says:  A natural accident, south of Alqueva dam, was almost unknown until the day when the prime-minister (actual President), to evade a question from a journalist, said that he had been out with the family visiting Pulo do Lobo. After some kilometers in a dirty road (either from... 

The "back side" of Mertola

The "back side" of Mertola, Mértola

 Martin_S. Says:  The first photo shows the view that we had of Mertola's "backside". We had to do a small amount of driving on some dusty dirt tracks, but as you can see for yourself it is a view that is worth the effort.To find it, just before you get to the city of Mertola, coming from the... 

Castle of Mertola

Castle of Mertola, Mértola

 veigapaula Says:  Statue of Islamic Chevalier/conqueror.Underground excavations of islamic remains and some roman and medieval too... 

Sports & Outdoors  

Kayaking

Kayaking, Mértola

 veigapaula Says:

Favorites  

Looking out at the world from Mertola

Looking out at the world from Mertola, Mértola

 Martin_S. Says:  Outside views of the surrounding countryside and seeing Mertola from outside its ramparts.Just shows that beauty is not skin deep, or in this case, the beauty does not stop at the walls of the city. The first photo shows the city from the access road, below the city...there... 

Touring Mertola

Touring Mertola, Mértola

 Martin_S. Says:  We often enjoy just driving or walking in a city/town, like Mertola, with no specific destination or historical object in mind, just wandering as the streets take us. We often get "lost" this way, but it often brings us surprises when we end up in neighbourhoods very often... 

Mertola's amazingly steep streets

Mertola's amazingly steep streets, Mértola

 Martin_S. Says:  Driving around Mertola is an adventure in itself, there are three things that make it "interesting"...First is the cobbled streets, when they are wet they turn slippery and when you brake....Second is the narrowness of the streets, they were built for donkeys and carts, NOT... 

"On the way to"....

"On the way to"...., Mértola

 Martin_S. Says:  Whenever we travel, in this case between Sagres and Mertola, we plan a picnic. We always stop in at the local supermarket and pick up fresh fruits and vegetables along with bread and things we can make a picnic with. Then when we travel the roads, we look for a picnic site... 

The Place

Plan a Mértola vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Mértola locals

Experience Mértola
  •   34 Tips and Reviews
  •  143 Photos
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Map of Mértola
 

The People

 
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Top Mértola Writers

1

Mértola and S. Domingos Mine

jorgec25 profile photo

 The beautiful town of Mértola is a small Oasis in the middle of the almost deserted Lower Alentejo region. Streching from the castle down to the river Guadiana, the Town Centre has museums, shops,... 

2

Beautiful Mertola perched above the river

Martin_S. profile photo

 Approaching Mertola you round a corner on the main road and all of a sudden it is there before you, perched on its hill. Mertola is not on the UNESCO World Heritage list but it should be. I have added... 

3

Mertola

veigapaula profile photo

 I've got some interesting experiences in Mértola. I'd love to share with you the 7 tips I've written, the 11 photos uploaded, and 1 travelogue I've created. 

4

Mertola

solopes profile photo

 If I had to choose a single stop in low Alentejo, while travelling to Algarve, it would be Mertola. 

5

THE INTERIOR ALENTEJO

mcb profile photo

 Mértola have Roots Roman, Moorish and Christians, It is rare to find such a small town with so much interest. With a rich historical and cultural heritage, Mértola deserves a visit. Everytime i go for... 

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