The museum town above the river, and the waterfall where the Guadiana squeezes between rocks.
A full day in the Alentejo, following the Guadiana. In the morning, Mértola, the museum town whose church still holds the memory of a mosque; in the afternoon, dirt roads across the plain to Pulo do Lobo, where the river squeezes between rocks. Your driver knows the way. For lovers of nature and history.
The day, stop by stop
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Mértola
Mértola is like an open-air museum perched above the Guadiana. Its main church was once a mosque and still keeps the mihrab, a rare sight in Portugal, while the castle watches over the town and the river below. Small museums scattered through the streets cover its Islamic, Roman and early Christian past. Entry fees are paid separately. The streets are steep and cobbled, so comfortable shoes are a must. Afterwards, try a game or lamb dish in one of the local restaurants.
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Pulo do Lobo
At Pulo do Lobo, the Guadiana squeezes between schist rocks and drops into a deep, narrow gorge, with a roar you hear before you see it. The name, the Wolf's Leap, comes from the idea that a wolf could jump from one bank to the other. Access is along dirt tracks across the plain, and your driver knows the way. There are no facilities on site, so bring water and sturdy shoes, and take care on the rocks, which can be slippery.
The essentials
- Duration
- 9 h · Full day
- Pick-up
- At your hotel. The final price depends on where you are staying; we confirm it when you tell us.
- Included
- The car and the driver, only for your group, tolls and water.
- Not included
- Entrance tickets and meals.
- Who it is for
- Lovers of nature and history.