Alcácer do Sal

One of the oldest port cities in Portugal spanning almost 3000 years, the Phoenicians founded Alcácer do Sal more than a thousand years before Christ. Located in the Alentejo region, Alcácer do Sal sits just a 30-minute drive from coastal Comporta, an hour south of Lisbon and 45 minutes away from the district capital of Setúbal. The town meanders along the left bank of the River Sado, just before it widens into an immense estuary and onto the flawless white beaches of the Tróia Peninsula.   

Alcácer do Sal takes its name from the once-lucrative salt industry, named Salacia Urbs Imperatoria by the Romans, and during its time as the Moorish capital, it was known as "Al-Kassr", which means castle in Arabic. 

Today, this sleepy town is etched by its rich history, and the scene is dominated by a medieval fortress and countless churches and holy sites. This intriguing melange of Roman, Islamic and Renaissance architecture etches Alcácer in history and adds a glamour of faded emporia romance along its cobbled streets. Take the opportunity to look in on some of the main points of interest such as the Church of Santa Maria do Castelo (Saint Mary of the Castle), the Chapel of Senhor dos Mártires (Lord of the Martyrs), the Church and Convent of Santo António (Saint Anthony) founded in 1524, the Church of Santiago and the Municipal Museum of Archaeology.

Alcácer do Sal is dotted with cute bars and restaurants serving freshly caught seafood and fish, embroidery shops and small stalls selling Pinhoadas confectionery made from the region's famous pine nuts and honey. Set between seas and the land, this nest egg of history is worth more than just a pitstop en route to Comporta, a perfect refuge of culture, charm and lovely Portuguese character.