Flor de Sal forms in Castro Marim as a fine layer of crystals on the surface of the salt pans. It is skimmed off with a special tool without touching the bottom, left unprocessed, dried in the sun and then packaged. The crystals form only on particularly hot days between July and September. Traditional sea salt is also produced entirely by hand using age-old techniques passed down through generations. These two salt products alone show how much craftsmanship goes into what might seem like a simple ingredient.

Wetlands and salt traditions

The Sapal de Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo António Nature Reserve extends across the municipalities of Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo António. It is a protected area and a Ramsar site. Its wetlands serve numerous waterbird species as a place to stop during migration, spend the winter and breed. Several stages of the bird year thus come together in a single landscape. The Esteiros da Lezíria and da Carrasqueira are also part of the protected area: these two waterways are important spawning and breeding grounds for several fish species.

Nature and salt production are two distinct themes to discover in Castro Marim. The artisanal production of sea salt and the distinctive formation of Flor de Sal tell the story of products with their own methods and conditions; the Sapal, meanwhile, is defined by its importance to birds and fish. Nature lovers will therefore find more than a single focal point here: the wetlands serve different functions for different animal species.

Route and places connected with salt

The municipal “Salinas Tradicionais” route connects the Centro de Interpretação do Território, Salina do Félix and Casa do Sal along a route of approximately three kilometres. The approximate length provides a guide for planning; check route conditions before your trip. Visits to Salina do Félix can be booked in advance and take place from April to October, subject to weather conditions. As visits are weather-dependent, it is worth checking the latest arrangements in advance.

Casa do Sal is located in a restored former warehouse known locally as “Balalaica”. The film “Safra” is shown there, depicting various stages of traditional and industrial salt production and harvesting. The Centro de Interpretação do Território is a visitor reception centre and also the starting point for walks and visits around the municipality of Castro Marim and the Baixo Guadiana. From there, visitors can enjoy views of the Sapal Nature Reserve and the mouth of the Rio Guadiana.

Fortress, viewpoints and history

The Forte de São Sebastião is characterised by an irregular walled enclosure that includes five bastions. The Revelim de Santo António is a viewpoint overlooking the Rio Guadiana and the Sapal de Castro Marim. The two sites reveal different aspects of the historical and natural landscape that define the area.

Castro Marim’s history also extends beyond individual buildings. As early as the 13th century, during the reign of D. Dinis, the town became the seat of the Order of Christ. The order succeeded the Knights Templar before being relocated to Tomar. At the Núcleo Museológico do Castelo, visitors can explore the history of Castelo de Castro Marim through materials from different periods.

The Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Mártires, the Matriz de Castro Marim, houses representations in its main and side chapels from several centuries: São Gabriel from the 15th century, Nossa Senhora da Encarnação and the martyrs from the 16th century, and Santa Luzia from the 18th century. The Casa de Odeleite exhibition focuses on the house and the local territory, the Rio Guadiana and the Ribeira de Odeleite, as well as the political disputes over ownership of the Terras da Ordem.

Traditions and local crafts

Religious tradition includes devotion to Nossa Senhora dos Mártires, the patron saint of Castro Marim. This is reflected in a procession on 15 August. The Dias Medievais offer another way to bring history to life: this annual event is a historical re-enactment that attracts thousands of people every year.

Local crafts also include work made as part of everyday life. Visitors may meet people making fine, carefully crafted bobbin lace for tablecloths outside their homes. They can also watch basket weavers weave baskets from straw, reeds, rushes and palm leaves. These glimpses complement visits to historic sites and explorations of salt traditions with craft practices that continue to be passed down in Castro Marim.

Discover more destinations: Altura, Magoito, Castro Marim, Odeleite, Altura, Lagos, Vila Real De Santo António, Carvoeiro.

For the main travel overview: Faro.