For those staying in Tavira and looking to escape the coast for a day, a drive inland to the historic villages of Alcoutim y Mértola offers a completely different side of the Algarve – one shaped by river valleys, whitewashed hill towns, and a quiet echo of frontier history.

Start your journey heading northeast from Tavira along the N124 or A22, passing rolling hills and cork oak forests until you reach Alcoutim, a tranquil village on the banks of the Río Guadiana. Directly across the water lies Sanlúcar de Guadiana, its Spanish twin, and the two towns have shared centuries of peaceful coexistence – even exchanging festivals and customs. From the waterfront promenade in Alcoutim, you’ll enjoy beautiful views across to Spain, while the castle ruins above the village offer panoramic vistas and a small archaeological museum worth visiting.

But perhaps the most thrilling way to experience the border is not by boat or bridge – but by zipline. From Sanlúcar, adrenaline-seekers can launch themselves across the Limite Zero zipline, the only cross-border zipline in the world. In just under a minute, you’ll fly 720 meters across the river at speeds of up to 80 km/h – landing back in Portugal… and in a different time zone. (Yes, Spain is an hour ahead!)

After your ride (and the small boat ride back to Alcoutim), consider continuing north to Mértola, a hilltop village nestled in the Guadiana Valley Natural Park. Its layered history includes Roman ruins, a former mosque now serving as the main church, and winding cobbled streets with traditional houses. This is one of the most atmospheric towns in inland Portugal — and a photographer’s dream.

Don’t forget to enjoy lunch at a riverside taverna, where dishes like pork with clams, grilled black pork, o wild boar stew reflect the hearty Alentejan cuisine of the region.

From Mértola, you can return to Tavira via the scenic N122 and N124 routes — a leisurely drive through the hills, with the occasional stork nest or shepherd crossing your path.