Castro Marim: Castle, Marshes, Salt Pans and Medieval Days near Cacela Velha

Castro Marim lies east of Cacela Velha, by the Guadiana river, and brings together in one day a medieval castle, a marsh nature reserve, salt pans and a big medieval festival. This guide covers what to see, what is known about hours and prices, what I could not confirm and how to get there from Cacela.

Quick answer

• Castle: a National Monument since 1920, according to the municipal leaflet. The leaflet gives 9:00 to 19:00 from April to October and 9:00 to 17:00 from November to March; other sources give different hours, so check before you go.
• Castle museum: the Museum Nucleus is free to enter, according to Lifecooler. I did not find an admission price for the rest of the castle.
• Marsh and birds: the Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo António Marsh Nature Reserve has an interpretation centre, with an exhibition renewed in December 2023, and walking trails. See Birds and Flamingos in the East Algarve.
• Salt: flor de sal forms mainly between July and September, according to Postal. Some salt pans can be visited by appointment.
• Medieval Days: usually held in late August (2025: 27 to 31 August). Dates and prices change every year.
• By train: according to the CP regional timetable in force since 19 July 2026, Cacela → Castro Marim takes about 5 minutes. I did not find the distance from the station to the castle.

The castle and São Sebastião Fort

A short history, according to the sources I consulted:

• 1277: town charter for Castro Marim, with the rebuilding of the fortress (Wikipedia; Baixo Guadiana).
• 1319: King Dinis makes Castro Marim the seat of the Order of Christ; the order was later moved to Tomar (municipal leaflet; Wikipedia). Wikipedia and Baixo Guadiana differ on the dates of the move and on the religious order, so I do not give them.
• 17th century: during the Restoration War, King João IV orders the building of São Sebastião Fort and the ravelin, according to Baixo Guadiana and the municipal leaflet. The sources differ on the exact year (1640 or 1641).
• 1755: after the Lisbon earthquake, King José I orders the castle repaired.

Visiting:

• Hours (municipality): 9:00 to 19:00 from April to October; 9:00 to 17:00 from November to March (municipal leaflet). Baixo Guadiana gives May to September 9:00 to 19:00 and October to April 9:00 to 17:00 (Baixo Guadiana). The sources differ.
• Booking: for group visits or information, the leaflet gives the phone number 281 510 746.
• Museum: free entry to the Museum Nucleus according to Lifecooler; I did not find official confirmation.
• Castle admission prices: I did not find any.

Medieval Days

This is the big medieval festival of the castle and the town. According to Postal, it took place on 24 to 28 August in 2022 (Postal), 21 to 25 August in 2024 (Postal) and 27 to 31 August in 2025 (Postal).

• Programme in 2024: medieval horse tournaments, more than 45 crafts and trades, banquets and a 17th-century military re-enactment at São Sebastião Fort.
• Prices in 2025: the complete ticket (market, São Sebastião Fort and castle) cost 8 euros for ages 12 and over and the 5-day pass 16 euros; the medieval banquet cost 50 euros.
• 2026: I did not confirm the dates or prices of this edition. Check the municipality's programme.

Marshes, salt pans and flor de sal

• Nature Reserve: the headquarters and interpretation centre are at Venta Moinhos marsh, in Castro Marim. The centre's immersive permanent exhibition opened in December 2023 (Postal). I did not find hours or an admission price.
• Trails: the "Salinas Tradicionais" and "Cerro do Bufo" trails were upgraded, with new information panels (Postal). I could not confirm length or duration.
• Birds: see where and when to watch flamingos and other birds in Birds and Flamingos in the East Algarve.
• Flor de sal: forms mainly between July and September. According to Postal (September 2026), the Cooperativa Terras de Sal submitted a Protected Designation of Origin application for Castro Marim Salt and Flor de Sal, which received a favourable national decision in March; it is not yet a European recognition (Postal).
• Salt pan visits: a 2021 Postal article mentions Salmarim (visits by appointment, programmes from 45 to 150 euros), Água-mãe (salt spa) and Casa do Sal (salt interpretation space) (Postal). These are 2021 data: check prices and bookings with each operator.

Getting there from Cacela Velha

• By train: Cacela → Castro Marim about 5 minutes in the CP regional timetable of 19 July 2026 (CP). I did not find the distance from the station to the castle. See Cacela Velha without a car.
• By car: the most practical way to combine castle, marsh and salt pans. Compare car hire at Faro Airport. See how to get to Cacela Velha.
• From Faro airport: Algar Vip Travel, private transfers with a driver; its site lists Castro Marim among its locations.

Where to stay

• Vila Real de Santo António: the closest base to Castro Marim. See the Vila Real de Santo António guide and Booking.com.
• Cacela Velha: Booking.com.
• Tavira: Booking.com.
• Compare all areas in where to stay near Cacela Velha · Hotels.com · Vrbo.

Where to eat and what to do

• I did not confirm restaurants in Castro Marim. Near Cacela Velha, see Casa da Igreja, Restaurante Casa Velha and the best restaurants near Cacela Velha. For what to try, read the food of the Sotavento and Oysters in Cacela Velha.
• Food tours in Tavira and boat trips on the Ria Formosa: check the page for what they include.
• See also what to do in the area and things to do in Cacela Velha.

Sources

• Castro Marim municipality: leaflet "O Castelo de Castro Marim".
• Wikipedia: Castle of Castro Marim; Baixo Guadiana: Castelo de Castro Marim; Lifecooler: Núcleo Museológico.
• Postal: Medieval Days 2022, 2024 and 2025.
• Postal: Reserve interpretation centre, trails, flor de sal and salt route.
• CP: regional timetable, 19 July 2026.
• Photographs: Dmitry Tonkonog (CC BY-SA 3.0), via Wikimedia Commons.