VERDICT: We gave 4 out of 5 tickets and here’s why!
This guide forms part of our complete Portugal Travel Guide, featuring destination ideas, scenic road trips, practical travel advice and honest first-hand reviews from across the country.
This turned into one of our favourite days in the Algarve. We drove just 25 minutes from Cabanas de Tavira… explored a medieval castle overlooking Spain… crossed into another country for fun… and finished the day on a beach that felt almost untouched.
Tours, Coastal Adventures & Unforgettable Algarve Experiences
Most people come to the Algarve for the beaches…but just 25 minutes east, you can stand on a castle wall looking into Spain, drive across an international border in minutes… and end the day on a beach that feels completely untouched.
This is the side of the Algarve hardly anyone talks about.
Castro Marim Castle & Praia Verde: Algarve’s Best Day Trip
We rented a car in Cabanas de Tavira and headed east—just 25 minutes—but it felt like we were stepping into a completely different Algarve.
Before even reaching our first stop, we couldn’t resist a quick detour across the Guadiana International Bridge. In under 10 minutes, we were in Spain… a completely seamless border crossing, and one of the easiest in Europe.
But this was just a quick visit as we had other plans in Portugal.
Back across the river, we arrived in the medieval village of Castro Marim, greeted by a striking statue of a knight on horseback, an immediate reminder of the region’s military past.
We parked for free along Rua do Castelo and began the climb; cobbled streets, uneven paths, and a steady incline that quickly rewards you with incredible views.
Halfway up, we stopped to take in the commanding presence of the Fortress of São Sebastião across the valley.
Built in the 17th century during the Portuguese Restoration War, when Portugal fought to regain independence from Spain, this fortress was designed to work in tandem with the castle – creating a powerful defensive system controlling the Guadiana River. From here, you can clearly see why this location mattered.
Below us stretched vast salt pans, still in use today, where sea water is carefully channelled, evaporated, and harvested into traditional Portuguese sea salt. These wetlands also attract birdlife across the region, adding another layer to the landscape.
Continuing the climb, we reached Castro Marim Castle, dating back to the 13th century and remarkably well preserved.
Entry is just €2.20 for two… and inside, you’re stepping into what was once a fully functioning medieval settlement.
This castle became the headquarters of the Order of Christ in the early 1300s, an immensely powerful religious and military order, created with papal approval after the fall of the Knights Templar. Under Pope John XXII, the order helped shape Portugal’s expansion and influence during the early Age of Discoveries.
Walking through the grounds, you’re not just visiting a castle, you’re standing in a place that played a role in both medieval warfare and the foundations of Portuguese exploration. Along the ramparts, the views open up dramatically across the Guadiana River and straight into Spain.
Standing here, it’s easy to understand how the combined power of the castle and fortress created a serious deterrent to any advancing army. This wasn’t just scenic, it was strategic.
We considered visiting the medieval torture exhibition… but decided against it. My husband, however, went in and came out a little shaken. Let’s just say… medieval methods of extracting information were not subtle.
After exploring the castle and grabbing a quick lunch, we noticed something unexpected, large stork nests perched high on power poles throughout the area. A surprisingly common sight here, and another reminder of how nature and history intersect in this region.
From here, we made our way to our final stop – beautiful Praia Verde. After parking, it’s just a short five-minute walk along a wooden boardwalk.
And then… it opens up.
A wide, untouched stretch of golden sand, backed by pine trees, with barely anyone around. At 21 degrees—even in winter—it was the perfect place to slow down, walk the shoreline, and take it all in. This instantly became one of our favourite beaches in the Algarve.
Three completely different experiences—history, border crossing, and coastline; all in one easy day from Cabanas de Tavira.
Return Ticket – Key Standout Reasons
🎟️ Why This Gets a Return Ticket:
- Unique combo of history + beach + international border
- One of the best viewpoints in the Algarve overlooking Spain
- Extremely quiet beaches compared to central Algarve
- Easy, short driving route
Whether you choose guided tours, scenic drives, or coastal walks, there is always another unforgettable experience just around the corner. Be sure to subscribe to myreturnticket.ca and of course our youtube channel.
Useful Visitor Information:
- Ultimate Guide to Algarve Beaches
- Castro Marim Medieval Castle
- Cost of Living Expenses
- Benagil Cave by Boat Adventure
- Two Very Different Parts of Albufeira
- Best things to do in and around Albufeira
Plan your next trip:
With every trip, we offer feedback to travel companies along with honest views for you, the reader. We rate adventures on a scale of one to five tickets, judged on quality, service, memorability, and price. A perfect ‘Ticket Rating’ of a five-ticket score means the experience was flawless and we’d eagerly return. Your desire to go back is the ultimate measure of a trip’s worth. Exclusive to My Return Ticket.
