Castro Marim looks quiet from a distance, but this place has been collecting civilizations for thousands of years. Traders sailed up the Guadiana when writing was still optional, drawn by salt pans that glint in the afternoon sun and a hilltop with a clean view straight into Spain. The Moors shaped the town we see today—complete with a name, fortified walls, and a strategic streak that never wore off.

During the Middle Ages, when the Knights Templar were no longer welcome across Europe, Portugal rebranded them as the Order of Christ. Castro Marim became their first headquarters, turning a small border town into the command post for the most influential military order of the time. When the order moved north, the town emptied almost overnight. The King's response was slightly mad and strangely effective: he turned Castro Marim into a sanctuary for fugitives. Show up, defend the border, and your past was forgiven.

That choice shaped the town for centuries. Today, the medieval festival pulls people into the castle with jousts, music, and firelight, while the salt flats continue to add flavor to daily life. The Flor de sal is still collected by hand and used by local cooks to lift seafood, stews, and even the simplest dishes.

Put Castro Marim on your list, pack light, and bring your appetite. This border town has been collecting stories for millennia. It's time you heard a few.

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Your Guide to Castro Marim

Lose yourself among fortresses and aqueducts, tracing the echoes of battles, traders, and daily life along a city shaped by borders and time