Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Serpa, Portugal

A medieval city en route to Spain, Serpa is still under the watchful gaze of its castle and fortifications. Due to its proximity to the border, the town has experienced numerous sieges and pillages, all stemming from the historical conflicts between the Kingdom of Portugal and the Moors during the Middle Ages.

The ancient walls and castle persist as prominent features in a landscape adorned with age-old olive groves that transition from vibrant green to golden hues in summer. Along the western wall of the city lies the intriguing sight of a 17th-century aqueduct integrated with older fortifications, while within the walls, visitors can navigate a labyrinth of narrow alleys.

Let us explore the most notable attractions in Serpa:

1. Castelo de Serpa

Dominating the town, Serpa’s castle stands as a picturesque ruin, having been ravaged by Spanish forces and remaining abandoned since the 1600s.

This, however, does not diminish the monument’s allure, as its battlements remain largely intact, offering the opportunity to ascend and survey the town alongside the scenic Alentejo countryside.

A fortress has existed at this location since at least Roman times, while the current castle traces its origins to the Moors in the 700s.

Throughout the Reconquista during the 12th and 13th centuries, it was besieged by both Christian and Moorish forces before Afonso III ultimately secured the Algarve to the south.

Be sure to observe the wall’s structure, as you may discover some repurposed Roman funerary stones with inscriptions that are still legible.

2. Muralhas de Serpa

The medieval outer walls of Serpa continue to protect much of the old town to this day.

The most picturesque section is undoubtedly to the west, where the wall is adorned with an aqueduct, which will be discussed next.

At the base of this structure, you will encounter the most remarkable of Serpa’s two remaining city gates, the Porta de Beja.

This portal is flanked by two robust, crenellated towers.

In the garden beneath the eastern wall, ancient cypresses and olive trees with remarkably thick and gnarled trunks, estimated to be over a thousand years old, are found.

The other entrance is located on the northeast side at Porta de Moura, featuring two majestic cypress trees and the remnants of the stairway that once accessed the battlements.

3. Aqueduto de Serpa

On the western side of the city, one can marvel at the extraordinary aqueduct that runs along the top of the walls.

This structure is particularly unique, as it was not a public initiative to supply the city with water, but rather constructed solely for a single residence, the Solar dos Condes de Ficalho, which adjoins the city’s defenses.

At the southern end of the aqueduct, you can observe the wheels that once facilitated water flow from a Moorish well into the aqueduct.

4. Museu do Relógio

The only establishment of its kind on the Iberian Peninsula, Serpa’s clock museum is located in the Convento do Mosteirinho.

This convent dates back to the 15th century, enriching the exhibits with a historical ambiance.

Hosting approximately 2,400 mechanical timepieces, the oldest of which dates to 1630, the collection originates from a private accumulation that began in the 1970s with just three malfunctioning watches.

The museum possesses an Edward East clock from the 17th century, for which they have declined offers reaching six figures.

Now in its second generation, the museum operates its own clock restoration workshop.

5. Igreja de Santa Maria de Serpa

Located in its namesake square near the summit of Serpa, the town’s church was likely constructed over the site of a Moorish mosque.

It is probable that the bell tower was repurposed from the mosque’s minaret.

While the exterior features more Baroque elements, the interior retains medieval characteristics, evident in the Gothic ogival arches that separate the nave from the two aisles.

These arches are supported by columns adorned with foliate motifs, carved during the 14th century.

The chancel and two adjoining chapels at the church’s end are Mannerist extensions from the 1500s, filled with radiant Baroque gilt-wood characteristic of the style prevalent in the 1700s.

6. Serpa Old Town

Within the walls, Serpa features an intricate layout designed to challenge potential invaders.

Visitors will encounter a confusing maze of narrow, ravine-like streets lined with elegantly whitewashed houses adorned with wrought iron balconies.

Turn a corner, and you will unexpectedly find yourself at the expansive Praça da República, facing Serpa’s arcaded town hall.

Consider taking a leisurely break at a café or perusing the bakeries and cork artisan shops located on this square and its adjacent streets.

Additionally, set aside time to visit the Solar dos Condes de Ficalho, situated against the walls and once served by the 17th-century aqueduct.

7. Torre do Relógio

Situated at the highest point of the town, adjacent to the Church of Santa Maria, this striking square tower cannot be missed.

This building has housed a timepiece since 1440, making it the third-oldest clock tower in Portugal.

A few decades later, during the reign of Manuel I, decorative turrets, a belfry, and merlons were added to the top.

The main structure of the tower is older, likely dating back to the reign of King Denis I in the 14th century when Serpa’s fortifications were enhanced.

8. Museu Municipal de Arqueologia

Within the castle’s inner courtyard, a small museum reopened in 2016 after a decade-long closure and a €1 million investment.

All artefacts unearthed during excavations in Serpa are showcased within these galleries.

On the ground floor, the museum exhibits the town’s Prehistoric, Bronze, and Iron Age heritage, while the first floor encompasses items ranging from Roman times to the Middle Ages.

Among the displays, visitors can find pottery, Roman gravestones similar to those found in the castle walls, Templar crosses, and a necklace from the Bronze Age.

9. Ermida de Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe ou de São Gens

Located on a hillock a few kilometers from Serpa, there stands a hermitage dedicated to the patron saint of the municipality, Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe.

This saint has been revered in the region since the 500s, when Leander of Seville brought a Marian statue from Rome.

The chapel showcases Gothic-Mudéjar architecture, marked by strong Moorish influences apparent in its domes.

Outside, a panel of glazed tiles depicting the Sacred Heart of Mary features prominently, alongside stunning vistas of the Alentejo landscape consisting of arid hills and olive groves.

At the altar, the current Marian image dates back to the 1400s and is situated in an ornate gilt-wood setting.

10. Museu Etnográfico de Serpa

Housed in the city’s former municipal market dating back to the late 1800s, Serpa’s ethnographic collection opened its doors in 1987.

The museum showcases the traditional skills and craftsmanship of Serpa’s ancestors, much of which has been lost due to the industrialization of agriculture in the mid-20th century.

Visitors can explore reconstructed workshops or view antique utensils belonging to basket-weavers, wheelwrights, potters, blacksmiths, cheese-makers, furniture makers, and tailors.

Each trade is accompanied by a bilingual information board and enlarged black-and-white photographs.

11. Ermida de Santa Luzia de Pias

Situated in the same municipality, the nearby town of Pias also features an isolated hermitage.

This chapel rests in low-lying terrain amid gentle slopes covered in fallow land.

The landscape transforms into a golden palette during the summer, interspersed with pointed cypress trees and neatly arranged olive groves.

The chapel’s aesthetic could easily belong in a western film, especially considering the old cemetery beside it, characterized by crumbling walls and rampant scrub and evergreen trees.

The structure is Manueline, dating from the early 1500s and displays fading frescoes on its barrel vault, alongside decorative capitals adorning the arch between the nave and chancel.

12. Pulo do Lobo

If you follow the Guadiana River into the Vale do Guadiana Natural Park, you will arrive at a waterfall at the top of a rugged canyon.

The environment presents both harshness and beauty, with rocks sculpted into jagged forms by the flowing green water.

The Guadiana supports diverse life in this otherwise arid landscape, and if you remain patient, you may observe watersnakes, turtles, and a variety of birds, including raptors soaring above.

Visiting in spring is preferable, as the volume of water is much greater, whereas summer months can lead to lower water levels.

13. Outdoor Activities

If you arrive in Serpa before the summer heat becomes intense, the low-hilled countryside provides an enjoyable setting for walking or cycling.

Spring is particularly delightful, when the fields are blanketed in blooming marigolds.

Visitors can stop by the Tourist Office in the town or contact local companies, such as Serpa Lovers, for information on guided walks or unique activities like hot air balloon rides.

Many vacation rentals also offer canoes or stand-up paddleboards for use at Alqueva Reservoir, located approximately thirty minutes north of the town.

This vast body of water is relatively new, having been formed in the 2000s following the construction of the €1.7 billion Alqueva Dam.

Nocturnal excursions are also organized around Serpa, where the nighttime skies are stunning in this remote section of Portugal.

14. Days Out

The cities of Beja and Moura are both situated within a 30-kilometer radius and are worth considering for a visit.

In Beja, the highlight is the castle’s Gothic keep, which, at 40 meters, is the tallest medieval tower in the country and is constructed almost entirely of marble.

To the northeast, Moura presents a town with Moorish influences.

The Mouraria neighborhood consists of winding alleys where the town’s Islamic community resided until the 15th century.

In one of the quaint cottages, a museum showcases an original clay well alongside an array of inscribed stones and ceramics from the Middle Ages.

15. Food and Drink

For much of its history, Serpa has been a location where individuals would hunt for their meals, resulting in game still being featured prominently on the local dining scene.

This includes partridge, rabbit, hare, and wild boar, often accompanied by robust stews and roasts of lamb and pork.

The town’s selection of Alentejano restaurants prides itself on using seasonings sourced from the surrounding countryside, where wild rosemary, mint, oregano, parsley, and coriander flourish.

Locally-produced olives and olive oil are specialties, with several private producers and agricultural cooperatives where visitors can purchase extra virgin olive oil to take home.

A glass of rich Alentejo wine pairs splendidly with the regional cured ham (Presunto), olives, and Serpa’s creamy sheep’s cheese.

During the summer, a refreshing bowl of gazpacho, made with diced tomatoes, onions, peppers, and cucumbers, is always an enjoyable treat.