Vila Real de Santo António is a city in the Algarve region of Portugal, on the eastern bank of the River Guadiana which across from Spain.

Understand

The main square in the parish of Vila Real de Santo António

Vila Real de Santo António (VEE-luh rree-AHL d(ih) SUHN-too uhn-TAW-nee-oo, /vi.ɫɐ ʁi.ˈaɫ dɨ ˈsɐ̃.tu ɐ̃.ˈtɔ.ni.u/) municipality has 18,828 residents (2021 preliminary), with over 11,500 living in the city proper. The municipality is noncontiguous, occupying up two different stretches of coastal land, separated by Castro Marim.

In the earthquake of 1755, the places on the border with Spain were badly damaged. Under the direction of the Marquês de Pombal, Vila Real de Santo António was built in just five months in 1774, partly following the same pattern as before Lisbon.

Visitor information

• Posto Municipal de Informação Turística (Tourist information center), Rua Teófilo Braga (Centro Cultural António Aleixo), ☏ +351 281 510 000, postoturismovrsa@cm-vrsa.pt. M–F 09:00–10:00, closed Sa Su & holidays. 

Get in

There is no airport near the city: the two nearest airports are in Faro and in Sevilla, Spain. Faro is closest, but both are perfectly good choices, and within a 1½-hour drive.

By bus

There are 10-15 daily buses from the regional centre Faro, which takes between 1½-2 hours depending on the company, expect to pay around €5 for a one way ticket, there is no substantial discounts on return fares. Many of these buses continue to Sevilla in Spain, which takes around 2½ hours and cost approximately €15. There is a 1-hr time difference between the two countries. The reverse route is naturally also possible. Companies that operate on this line include Eva Transportes, Eurolines España, and Damas.

By train

Up to 10 trains per day traverse the quite scenic route along the coast from Lagos to Villa Real via Faro. The train takes around 1 hour 15 min. from Faro and costs around €4.50. The route is run by the Portuguese Railways. There are no direct trains from Sevilla but it is possible to take the train to Huelva about half way, and continue from there with a bus.

By boat

Since the highway bridge crossing the river to Spain is off limits to pedestrians or cyclists, there is still a small ferry crossing the river to Ayamonte on the opposite side of the river. It generally runs once every hour between the two cities and the ride takes less than ten minutes. Be sure to bring your passport in order to enter Spain. A passport is not required to enter Portugal from the Spanish side.

See

The Fortaleza de Cacela

• 1 Galeria Manuel Cabanas, Rua Teófilo Braga (Centro Cultural António Aleixo), ☏ +351 281 510 045. 
• 2 Praça Marquês de Pombal. 
• 3 Fortaleza de Cacela. A fortress above Cacela from the 16th and 17th centuries. It is the seat of the Brigada Fiscal, which is responsible for coastal protection. Cultural events such as readings take place in the fortress.  
• 4 Igreja Matriz de Cacela-Velha. Built in 1518 on the ruins of the primitive medieval construction, from the end of the 13th century, from which it preserves a small pointed side door, facing north. Severely damaged by the 1755 earthquake, it was rebuilt in 1795.  

Do

• 1 Centro Cultural António Aleixo. The old market building now houses painting, sculpture, and photography exhibits. (updated Jul 2021)

Buy

• 1 Mercado Municipal, R. Prof. Egas Moniz B. 

Eat

• 1 Cuca, Rua Dr. Sousa Martins 32 (Centro Cultural António Aleixo, near Praça Marquês de Pombal), ☏ +351 281 403 370. 
• 2 Vistas Rui Silvestre, Sítio Do Pocinho – Sesmarias, Vila Nova de Cacela (Monte Rei Golf & Country Club), ☏ +351 281 950 950, vistasruisilvestre@monterei.com. Tu–Sa 18:30–22:30, closed Su M. Chef Rui Silvestre gives classic recipes a modern touch at this Michelin-starred restaurant, with a pleasant terrace overlooking a golf course. €115-155. (updated Jul 2021)

Sleep

• 1 Hotel Guadiana, Avenida da República 94, ☏ +351 281 511 482. 
• 2 Hotel Apolo, Avenida dos Bombeiros Portugueses, ☏ +351 281 510 700, hotelapolo@apolo-hotel.com.