Tours: Close to Casa Flor de Sal there are many historical sites, natural areas and towns worthwhile a visit.
Driving 35 minutes east you find Castro Marim and the remains of its castle dating from the 12th century. From the castle you can get a great view of Spain, the river, the salt marshes and the sea in the distance. The salt marshes are part of c. 2000 hectares of nature reserve between Castro Marim, Monte Gordo and Vila Real de Santo António and home to more than 150 species of birds.
Driving c. 1 hour to the west, you will find both Silves and Lagos; Silves has a large castle built between the 8th and 13th century which is one of the best-preserved Moorish fortifications in Portugal. Lagos also has some of the best coves and grottoes along the Algarve coast. Continuing west for another half-an-hour, you will reach Sagres and Cabo de São Vicente, the southwestern most point in Europe. Cabo de São Vicente gives you a view of a different Algarve, and the coast north of here is wild and beautiful.
If you like natural sites, you should drive north 1.2 hours to Castro Verde, a place of unspoiled beauty comprising the largest expanses of the grassland plains in Portugal. Throughout the year the area is absolutely enchanting, both for its birds and the outstanding scenery.
1.5 hours north from Castro Verde, or 2.5 hours from Casa Flor de Sal, you will find Évora, a World Heritage Site. Évora is a true museum-city shaped by some 20 centuries of history, going as far back as the Celtic times. Évora fell under Roman domination when it was called Liberalitas Julia and today still retains the ruins of a Roman Temple of Diana. It reached its golden age in the 15th century, when it became the residence of the Portuguese kings.
Casa Flor de Sal is about 40 minutes drive from the Spanish border. The city of Seville is less than 2 hours away and the whole of Andalusia is within easy reach.
Some of our guests visit Lisbon (2.5h) and Sintra (3h) at the beginning or end of their holiday at Casa Flor de Sal.
