La town of Vila Real de Santo Antonio It is located in the south of Portugal, in the area of the well-known Algarve and on the border with Spain in the area of Huelva. This is a quiet town, which also offers many natural spaces in which to carry out various activities, making it a good vacation spot in summer.
Like all the towns of the Algarve or the south of the Peninsula, Vila Real de Santo Antonio receives visitors during the summer season. It is primarily a beach and coast place, but it also has some other things to do. And we must not forget that we have many places of interest nearby, from Huelva to Tavira or Faro.
Beaches in Vila Real de Santo Antonio
One of the main tourist attractions of this town and in general the entire Algarve area are its great beaches. In this area they are also a little warmer than in other beaches in the Algarve, since they are not in an area so open to the ocean. That is why it is an ideal place to go to the beach with the family. In the center there is an urban beach that receives the same name as the town and offers many services, as well as a fun tourist train. On the other hand, there are some beaches in the surroundings, such as Monte Gordo, Manta Rota or Lota, all of them with easy access. So if we are going to visit this town, we must bear in mind that it is better to choose the spring-summer months to fully enjoy its beautiful beaches.
Marismas natural reserve
The name of this place is that of the Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo Antonio Marshes Nature Reserve for being in these two Portuguese municipalities. It is a humid and protected area in the estuary area that forms the Guadiana River, which separates the border of Spain and Portugal in this area. It is an especially important place because many migratory birds make their nests in this area, hence its ecological value. In this area, it is possible to follow the trails that separate the marshes and the salt flats on foot or by bicycle, as well as see the extraction of salt in the place, which is also an activity of tourist interest.
Center of the village
To understand this town and how it is built, we must refer to the year 1755, when an earthquake left it practically in ruins. The new village was rebuilt with the ideas of the Marqués de Pombal, which is why today the main square bears his name. This is the most central area, where there is more activity and entertainment venues. Next to this square is the Antonio Aleixo Cultural Center, where there are exhibitions and some events, but which has a peculiar building because it used to be a market. Another of the cultural visits in the center is that of the Manuel Cabanas Gallery Museum, who was a painter and printmaker. The promenade area is also very beautiful.
Shopping in Vila Real de Santo Antonio
Near the main square there are many shops and stalls where you can buy all kinds of typical products. As in the north of Portugal, there are many who cross the border to buy the precious towels and Portuguese textiles at a good price, since they have a great reputation. Being a tourist place, it is also possible to find some souvenir stalls.
Near Vila Real de Santo Antonio
This population can be seen calmly in one day, so we will have time to enjoy some nearby destinations. We must not forget that it is a town located in the Algarve area, very touristy and with some strong points that we can visit. The city of Faro is only 63 kilometers away and before reaching it, you can even stop at Tavira, another small town that offers beautiful and quiet beaches. Faro is the most populated city in the Algarve and nearby you can see the beautiful Ria Formosa Natural Park, another of the protected areas of this Portuguese corner.
If we go the other way, Spain can be easily reached, even using a ferry that takes us to Ayamonte from Vila Real de Santo Antonio. The city of Huelva is located just 59 kilometers and in the province you can enjoy the Doñana Natural Park or the white villages of the Sierra de Huelva in the north, such as the town of Aracena. In the center of the city of Huelva you can see the Monument to the Virgen del Rocío or the Cathedral of La Merced from the XNUMXth century.