Vila Real de Santo Antonio

The charming Portuguese town of Vila Real de Santo Antonio sits at the edge of the River Guadiana, with Spain just across the water. The town enjoys a slow pace of life and its design resembles Lisbon, rather than its close neighbours. The atmosphere is wonderfully relaxed and restaurants serve local culinary delights. Beautiful decorative architecture is surrounded by pine forests, with salt marshes to the north and unspoiled beaches to the south. At the heart of the town stands a grand central plaza, Praca Marques de Pombal. Follow the river to the North Atlantic Ocean, a 40 minute walk, to be greeted by a seemingly endless golden sand beach.