When talking about the Algarve, many people think of the region’s beaches. What is certain is that the beaches with fine sand and crystal clear waters are the Algarve’s calling card, however, few people take advantage of their time in the south of the country to give an opportunity to villages that do not usually appear on the famous itineraries. There is one village in particular that is off the tourist radar and has a lot to discover.
The Algarve coast stretches from Vila Real de Santo António to Sagres, but there is also a part of the region that is not an open gateway to the Atlantic Ocean. The small village of Alcoutim, for example, appears isolated on the border with Spain and next to the line that separates the Algarve and Alentejo. This is why the blog states that Alcoutim is located in an Algarve “with an Alentejo accent”.
Located just over 40 kilometers north of Vila Real de Santo António, the village of Alcoutim is usually off the radar of tourists and many of them don’t even know that Alcoutim really exists. Although the Guadiana River separates the village from Spain, it is not difficult to reach the neighboring country using a boat.
However, once in Alcoutim, you can’t miss the ochre-hued castle. In addition to having the opportunity to appreciate the “white houses trimmed in sky blue and sunny yellow, the gridded red roofs and the perfect setting of the mountain green”, you will also be able to enjoy the local gastronomy.
It’s in Alcoutim that you can taste real eel stew, as they come directly from the Guadiana, the river that guides the village’s landscape. In a village meal that combines the traditions of Alentejo with those of the Algarve, grains, cabbage and beans are also mandatory ingredients.
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