Alcoutim travel guide (2026)

Alcoutim is one of the Algarve’s most peaceful and authentic towns. Set along the Guadiana River near the Spanish border, it offers a unique blend of history, nature, and local life. With its whitewashed houses, quiet streets, and beautiful views, Alcoutim is a world away from the busy Algarve coast, yet only a 30-minute drive from it. Whether you are looking for hiking trails, traditional food, or a relaxing swim at the river beach, this guide will help you plan the perfect visit.

In this article about Alcoutim you will find:

• Handpicked local tips you won’t find anywhere else
• Best natural attractions​
• Top historical sites and cultural landmarks​
• Top recommendations for hotels, dining, and excursions

Why visit Alcoutim

• True escape from crowds – Far from the busy Algarve coast, Alcoutim offers peace, quiet, and authenticity in a scenic riverside setting.
• Charming riverside village – Stroll through whitewashed streets, admire hillside views, and watch life unfold along the Guadiana River.
• Rich historical heritage – Visit the medieval castle, ancient churches, and archaeological sites that tell the story of borderland conflicts and local traditions.
• Nature and hiking paradise – Explore green hills, river valleys, and peaceful trails surrounded by wildflowers, especially beautiful in spring.
• Cross-border adventure – Hop on the ferry to Spain’s Sanlúcar de Guadiana or walk the floating bridge during the Smugglers Festival.

Are you excited to visit Alcoutim? Watch the short video below to see the highlights of the town.

What to see in Alcoutim

Local culture and traditions

Alcoutim has preserved the traditional Algarvian lifestyle. The people are simple and very kind. There is a quiet and friendly atmosphere.

Walking Alcoutim’s narrow streets feels like stepping into the past. The architecture is almost the same as it was a century ago. There are narrow streets, surrounded by small white houses.

When looking from a distance, you can see that Alcoutim consists of all white houses against a beautiful background.

Even the main square of Alcoutim is peaceful and quiet. Here you can sit on the bench and enjoy the view. There is also a small fountain.

You can experience the original way of life here. The food in Alcoutim is mostly fresh fish from the river (like lamprey or fish stew Caldeirada), smoked ham and sausages. Alcoutim still depends heavily on agriculture and handicraft. Handicraft is a tradition which is kept in the whole municipality of Alcoutim and the surrounding small towns. Each of the towns have their own specialty:

• Pottery, blankets and rugs in Alcoutim.
• Black-smith’s works and puppets in Martim Longo.
• Woolen blankets and linen towels in Santa Justa and Tacões.

Nature and hiking trails

The environment near Alcoutim is very beautiful. It is quite green and well watered. The area around Alcoutim looks quite different from the south coast of the Algarve, yet is only a 30 minutes drive away. This attracts tourists with an interest in nature. There are several hiking trails nearby. Walking through the nature here is very peaceful and relaxing. You will be able to spot many pretty flowers and trees in the area.

The Guadiana river

Alcoutim is located on the Portuguese side of the Guadiana river, which separates Portugal from Spain. On the other side of the river you can see the Spanish town of Sanlúcar de Guadiana. The current here can be quite strong, so it is recommended to avoid swimming here. If you want to swim, go to Praia Fluvial do Pego Fundo.

River beach: Praia Fluvial do Pego Fundo

There is a beach near the Guadiana river, north west of Alcoutim. The beach is called Praia Fluvial do Pego Fundo. Here it is safe to swim in the Guadiana river. The water is very clean and refreshing. The beach is very different from the beaches in the south of the Algarve, but that is what makes it so unique.

Praia Fluvial do Pego Fundo is popular with locals, but still relatively calm. There is a beach bar called Tá-se Bem Beach Club. The beach bar serves food and drinks and has toilet and shower facilities. They even have a parasol if you need one.

Castle of Alcoutim

You can visit the Castle of Alcoutim. This Moorish castle was built in the 14th century, in order to defend the border. It was in this castle that the Portuguese King Ferdinand I signed a peace treaty with King Henry II of Castille in the 14th century to end the war between Portugal and Spain. The castle was built on a hill. As such, you have a spectacular view from the castle over the surrounding area. It is very nice to walk along the castle walls and imagine what life was like back in the medieval days. The castle is well maintained. On the Spanish side of the river, there is a similar castle in Sanlúcar de Guadiana. In the Middle Ages, cannon balls from the two castles were being shot at one another regularly.

From the castle you also have a fabulous view over the area.

Within the castle, you will find a small archaeological museum. The museum outlines the violent history of Alcoutim and displays some archaeological artifacts that were found. If you are interested in history, this is a very interesting place to visit.

Sanlúcar de Guadiana

There is a ferry service that can take you across the Guadiana river to visit the Spanish town of Sanlúcar de Guadiana. The best thing to do there is to visit the castle of Sanlúcar, also known as Castillo de San Marcos. It is located on top of the hill, above the town.

Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição

In the municipality of Alcoutim, you can find a beautiful church, known as Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Conceição. The church was initially built in the beginning of the 16th century. Rebuilt in the 17th century, the church kept its original doorway. The church was dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Conceição. This is Portugal’s Patroness since the time of the Restoration war (17th century). It was believed that success in the independence war was achieved on her behalf. Inside the church, you can find an altar piece of gilt carved wood from the 18th century. Above the altar you can see the coat of arms of King João IV. This church is worth a visit.

Church of Igreja Matriz de Alcoutim

There is another church in Alcoutim, called Igreja Matriz de Alcoutim (also known as Igreja Matriz do Salvador de Alcoutim). It was built in the 14th century. The church is one of the best examples of Renaissance architecture in the Algarve.

The church is also beautiful when viewed from the river side. On the picture below is taken during the festival do Contrabando, which explains why there are so many people around the church.

Best hotels

Looking for the perfect stay in Alcoutim? Since Alcoutim is a small town, the best hotels here sell out fast, especially in high season. We have handpicked our top recommendations: highly rated, well-located, and loved by travellers. Book now to secure the ideal base for your Algarve getaway.

• Hotel D’Alcoutim. This three star hotel is the most popular place to stay in Alcoutim. It has a garden with a swimming pool, overlooking the Guadiana river. Rooms are comfortable and breakfast is excellent. Friendly staff.
• HI Alcoutim – Pousada de Juventude. This youth hostel is a great place to meet other travellers. The hotel is relatively cheap. There are shared dormitories, as well as private rooms.

Transfer to the hotel
Whatever hotel you choose, it is important to think about how to get there. If you don’t have a car, make sure to rent a car. Alternatively, you can book an airport transfer from Faro Airport directly to your hotel.

Best restaurants

There are not that many restaurants around Alcoutim, so you have to know which ones are good. Our favourite restaurants in the area are:

• Cantarinha do Guadiana. This authentic Portuguese restaurant is very popular with locals. It serves delicious food that is from the Alcoutim region. The restaurant is not very big, so it might be wise to make a reservation in advance.
• Restaurante O Rio. This restaurant serves great local food in big portions. They also have an outside terrace. Prices are very reasonable. Their house wine from the region is delicious.
• Shiva Indian Restaurant. This Indian restaurant has good food. The service is also fine. Prices are a bit higher than in some of the Portuguese restaurants nearby, so you will not find many locals here. However, the food makes up for it.

Excursions

There are many beautiful things to see in the interior of the Algarve. Alcoutim is just one of the several towns that are worth a visit. Also, there are several activities that can make your time in Alcoutim even more enjoyable. For example, you could rent a boat in Alcoutim, so you can explore the peacefulness of the Guadiana river on your own. If you don’t feel like renting a boat yourself, there are boat cruises to Mértola (upstream) and Odeleite (downstream). There are several excursions that you can already book online. Below you can find our favourite excursions in the area of Alcoutim.

If you prefer to drive around yourself, we suggest any of the following routes:

Countryside tour

If you would like to have an adventurous, but peaceful day, we suggest that you do the following tour: Tavira – Cachopo – Martim Longo – Vaqueiros – Giões – Pereiro – Santa Marta – Cortes Pereiras – Alcoutim – Guerreiros do Rio – Foz de Odeleite – Castro Marim. This is a full day tour to enjoy the original beauty of the countryside and to discover the unspoiled Algarve, the traditional way of life and the kindness of the simple people. Beautiful landscapes and typical white washed architecture. It is the Algarve that tourists usually don’t see.

Historical tour

If you want to discover the southeastern part of Portugal and are interested in history and monuments, we recommend you the following tour: Castro Marim – Alcoutim – Mértola. It is probably one of the most interesting tours you can make in southern Portugal. You can visit castles, churches, ruins, archaeological excavations, as well as beautiful old villages. Enjoy the beauty of the Guadiana river and the mountain ranges.

Festival do Contrabando

Every year in March, there is three day event in Alcoutim and Sanlúcar de Guadiana called Festival do Contrabando, which is translated as Smuggler’s Festival. At this festival you will find street entertainment, music and traditional arts and crafts. Many of the performances focus on the relationship between smugglers and policemen. The festival can be compared to the medieval fair in Silves. It attracts thousands of people to Alcoutim and is sure to provide you a truly unique experience.