The small town and the community of Alcoutim (about 900 inhabitants) lie in the same-named county in the Northeast of the Algarve by the border river Guadiana.
Coordinates: 37° 28′ N, 7° 28′ W
Various finds document that already in prehistoric times people have settled here.
The place is noted for its handicraft. Produced are wool carpets, embroidery, wickerwork and pottery.
View over the river onto the Spanish place Sanlúcar de Guadiana and the above fortress Castillo de San Marcos. The river can be crossed exclusively by boat; the fares are moderate.
In the locality one finds banks, the post office, restaurants, snackbars, bistros and cafés. A neat sand beach (with infrastructure) being at a tributary of the Guadiana is signposted.
The streets in the locality are sometimes very narrow and bordered directly by the typical town houses.
Castelo de Alcoutim
The castle was built in the 14th century in order to protect locality and trade. In the 17th century the castle was adapted for the artillery. Since 1878 the facility was not used for military purposes any more and a slaughterhouse was accomodated in the complex.
An older castle, being erected in the 8th century by the Moors and from which only remains have survived, is situated roughly 1,5 km north of the town.
Walking over the castle walls alllows for sights over Alcoutim, the river and up to Spain.
Inside, you can visit a small museum with finds of excavations.
Opening hours: 9.30 – 17.30 h
Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Conceição
The Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Conceição was built in the 1620ies. It is said that a church of an unknown age had been there before. The Ermida was being reconstructed from the end of the 17th century until the beginning of the 18th century.
Igreja Matriz de Alcoutim
The Igreja Matriz de Alcoutim was built in the 14th century and is near the town center, directly by the Rio Guadiana.
Coordinates 37 ° 28 ‘N 28 ° 7 ‘W
The church is only opened for mass.