Alcácer do Sal

On a hill above the River Sado, Alcácer do Sal is one of the oldest towns in Portugal. Its castle, its riverside setting and the rice fields of the surrounding plain give it a character of its own, between the Alentejo and the estuary.

History and identity

The town was founded long before Portugal existed, with Phoenician and Roman roots, and was an important centre under Islamic rule, when it controlled the salt trade of the river. Its castle, later rebuilt by the Portuguese kings, still dominates the town.

What to see and do

• The castle and its walls, with views over the Sado.
• The historic centre, with its old houses and churches.
• The river and the rice fields of the surrounding plain.
• The town’s archaeological remains, from the Phoenician and Roman periods.

Gastronomy and traditions

The town is known for its rice, grown in the fields along the Sado, and for the fish and seafood of the estuary. Its festivals and fairs reflect the life of the river.

Visiting Alcácer do Sal

Alcácer do Sal is in the Alentejo, about 90 kilometres south of Lisbon, reached by road. For the castle and local services, check the official website before your visit.

Visitor information: cm-alcacerdosal.pt.

Image credit: Alcácer do Sal, Portugal, by Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.