Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo António Marsh Natural Reserve

Do not miss Castro Marim if you are nearby. One of it's top attractions is the medieval fair that usually takes place mid August. This fair gathers lots of people. Local restaurants setup tables inside the castle where you can dine as if you have gone back in time to the 13th century. Great for kids! Unfortunately due to the covid 19 pandemic it was cancelled in 2020. Nevertheless explore the salt fields just outside the city. You will not miss them if take the main road to Vila Real de Santo Antonio and look east. If you are into something different there is a spot where you can bathe in a salty pool/spa! :)

Staff excellent, manage English, Spanish German and French...maybe more. Clean and modern. Staff very friendly. Coffee excellent.

Lovely little castle that recounts the history of the region and the Knights Templar. Would have been a four star review except that the Torture Museum mentioned in other posts was inexplicably closed. Although the views were lovely.

In the castle of Castro Marim we learn and understand: How when and by whom Ordem de Cristo replaced the Templars

It's pretty and clean but if you on the large size of life (like me), all the chairs in the cafes/restaurants have arms and I just didn't fit, which is embarrassing. Spent most our time walking around trying to find some where that didn't have arms on the chair. My problem not the area. Few shops to enjoy but same stuff after the 2nd or 3rd. You have to pay to park around there if you drive. Lots of people on bikes, even in February when we visited. Pleasant but in no rest to go back. Lovely hour spent strolling around.