Top 15 Attractions in Alcácer do Sal, Portugal

This Alentejo town is situated on the left bank of the River Sado, just before it expands into a vast estuary. The gently rolling landscape is characterized by a variety of rice fields and coniferous forests that contribute to a significant pine nut harvest.

Alcácer do Sal is dominated by a medieval castle, which houses an exceptional museum within its crypt that unveils 2,700 years of history. Along the estuary, one might observe the resident dolphins, and following the river to the coastline, the Tróia Peninsula boasts pristine white beaches that must be experienced.

Let us delve into the top attractions in Alcácer do Sal:

1. Castelo de Alcácer do Sal

This rocky outcrop by the Sado River has been populated since ancient times.

During the Moorish era, it served as a critical provincial stronghold, featuring a commanding keep and 20 towers that ascended over 25 meters.

However, by the 16th century, the castle was rendered obsolete and was converted into a convent.

Years of neglect and seismic activity had left the structure in disrepair until a heritage hotel was established in the 1990s.

In the higher sections, take a moment to appreciate the vast flatness of the plain, where rice fields line the river’s journey.

2. Cripta Arqueológica do Castelo

Within the underground galleries beneath the castle lies 27 centuries of history, each few meters revealing a new civilization.

These foundations, streets, and forgotten structures were unearthed during the castle renovations in the 1990s.

The oldest remnants found here date back to the Iron Age, around 700 BC, followed by a series of cultures that have left their influence, concluding with the Moors in the medieval period.

Displayed are artifacts such as busts, pottery, and statuettes from each historical period.

3. Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo

Located within the castle’s fortified enclosure, this church dates back to 1217 and was consecrated by the Order of Santiago following King Alfonso II’s reconquest of the city.

Architectural elements from Gothic, Manueline, and Baroque styles can be observed in this structure.

The most exquisite features inside originate from the 1700s, including the ornately carved stone pulpit (notably adorned with an archangel). During this period, the nave was decorated with tiles, and the chapels were adorned with splendid gilded woodwork.

Additionally, like many of the taller edifices surrounding the estuary, this church hosts a stork’s nest, prominently visible atop its adapted Gothic spire.

4. Reserva Natural do Estuário do Sado

The Sado River originates near Beja and flows for 180 kilometers from east to west.

Upon exiting Alcácer do Sal, the river opens into a vast estuary, designated as a natural reserve while still hosting a fishing community—though fishers often compete with a pod of dolphins that thrive in these calm saline waters.

Rice fields border the water’s edge, and in the more arid regions, pine trees and cork oaks flourish.

Visitors can observe remnants of ancient salt basins and enjoy tranquil walks beneath expansive skies, with opportunities to spot birds such as the storks that nest on rooftops and utility poles.

5. Cais Palafítico da Carrasqueira

On the southern side of the Sado Estuary, you will encounter a series of wooden piers attached to seemingly uneven stakes.

These charming structures extend far into the water and were constructed by fishermen to facilitate launching their boats during low tide.

Some piers feature rudimentary wooden huts and moored boats, while others have completely collapsed, leaving merely a skeletal framework protruding from the water.

Originating in the 1950s and 60s, the expansive sky, rickety piers, pristine waters, and lush marshland continuously provide stunning photographic opportunities.

6. Riverside Promenade

The visitor information center on Largo Luís de Camões in Alcácer do Sal serves as an excellent starting point for a leisurely walk along the Sado River.

From the center, you can gaze up at the castle perched atop the hill and back towards the 1945 metal bascule bridge that elevates to accommodate sailboats.

The waterfront residences, with their distinctive white façades, feature bars, restaurants, and cafes on their ground levels.

Benches are available along the water’s edge, where vintage wooden sailboats can be seen moored on the opposite bank, offering summer excursions.

7. Praia da Comporta

If you’re accustomed to the tumultuous waves of Portugal’s western coastline, the beaches of the Tróia Peninsula may surprise you.

The ocean currents are shielded by Cabo Espichel, a prominent headland situated west of Setúbal, which can be seen in the distance as you relax on Praia da Comporta.

The water is crystal clear and shallow, and on calm days, the waves hardly reach knee height.

The term “unspoiled” appropriately describes this expansive beach lined with dunes, as you are far removed from large cities or resorts, resulting in minimal tourism until reaching the peninsula’s northern tip.

8. Espaço Museológico “Museu do Arroz”

One approach to immersing oneself in Sado Estuary’s culture is to engage with its rice-growing heritage.

In Comporta, a former rice husking station adjacent to extensive rice fields has been transformed into a museum and restaurant.

Alongside the original husking machine, the museum illustrates how this isolated site was self-sufficient: it included a blacksmith for creating harvesting tools and a farrier for shoing the workhorses that tilled the fields.

A bakery, barbershop, canteen, mechanic’s shop, and chapel were also part of this self-contained community.

9. Barragem do Pego do Altar

The rice industry in Alcácer do Sal received a significant boost from a major undertaking in the 1930s and 1940s on the Alcáçovas River, which is a tributary of the Sado.

This dam retains 94,000,000 cubic meters of water for irrigating the rice fields and continues to play a vital role in agriculture today.

The dam and reservoir are situated in a picturesque rural landscape, characterized by orchards and mixed woodlands.

Visitors often come to the water for fishing or to navigate the tranquil waters in kayaks or canoes.

10. Igreja da Misericórdia

According to an inscription on the lintel of one of the portals, this Mannerist church was consecrated in 1547. Interestingly, the chancel and nave are integrated into the same area rather than being separated by a choir or archway.

The lower sections of the interior walls are adorned with azulejos painted in the 1600s, while delicate stuccowork from the late 18th century graces the upper portion.

In 1895, the renowned artist Francisco Flamengo was commissioned to create a fresco on the ceiling, depicting the three Virtues: Hope, Faith, and Charity.

11. Santuário do Senhor dos Mártires

Continuing past the western outskirts of Alcácer do Sal, one will discover this chapel established in the 1200s for the knights of the Order of Santiago.

This chapel served as a pantheon for the order, and one can easily discern the Gothic influences in its buttresses, vaults, and traceried windows.

This location holds a fascinating history, having served as a burial site since the Iron Age and as an early Christian hermitage during Roman times.

12. Tróia Peninsula

If Praia da Comporta has stimulated your desire for isolated white sandy beaches, you can venture further along the peninsula for miles until you arrive at the tourist resort located at the northwestern end.

On the ocean side, the beaches seem endless, yet human habitation is sparse.

If you are fortunate enough to witness the sunset behind the Serra da Arrábida, it will be an unforgettable sight.

All beaches are suitable for swimming, but the one at the tip of the peninsula stands out for its beauty.

Overlooking the estuary, the pristine Praia de Tróia resembles a tropical paradise.

The water may be slightly chilly, but it is serene, safe, and completely transparent.

13. Herdade de Montalvo Riding Centre

Herdade de Montalvo is a holiday village located at the southern edge of the natural reserve.

In addition to its swimming pool, coniferous forests, and sports amenities, it features a riding center with purebred Lusitano horses.

If there is an aspiring equestrian in your family, a day spent at this center could be a highlight of their holiday.

Through the “Entre Amigos” program, novice riders are introduced to their mount and equipment, followed by a lesson from a qualified instructor.

Participants enjoy a leisurely ride through the wooded areas and around the lake, while more experienced riders can hone their skills in the show-jumping arena.

14. Sado River Trips

Keep an eye on the municipality’s online platform for a schedule of summer cruises along the Sado.

These cruises are conducted aboard the Pinto Luisa or Amendoeira sailboats and can be full-day or half-day excursions.

The full-day cruise will take you across the Sado estuary to moor in Setúbal or the stunning beaches at the tip of the Tróia Peninsula.

Throughout the journey, you will learn about the region’s history and its avian life.

With a bit of luck, you may also encounter dolphins that are known to steal fish from local nets!

15. Local Food

Food enthusiasts from northern Europe are likely aware that pine nuts can be expensive.

However, Alcácer do Sal stands as Portugal’s principal producer of pine nuts, offering substantial bags for just a few Euros.

Alongside local honey, pine nuts are a key ingredient in the town’s traditional confectionery known as pinhoadas.

The estuary and ocean supply Alcácer do Sal with an abundance of fish and seafood, which are prepared with rice for a local dish called arroz de lingueirão (rice with razor clams). Torrão, situated to the east of the municipality, is surrounded by rolling hills of wheat and olive groves and is renowned for its crusty bread and high-quality olive oil.