EVENT: Weekend in Mértola, Minas de São Domingos and Serpa

DATE OF REALISATION: 24-25 October 2026

ENROLMENT DEADLINE : 31 August 2026

EVENT DESCRIPTION: “Weekend in Mértola, Minas de São Domingos and Serpa”

In this activity proposal, we will go on two hikes in an area where tranquillity and memories of other times reign. We'll start with a walk along the Ore Route, in the São Domingos Mines, where we'll take the opportunity to take a guided tour and learn about the legacy of the mining industry in the region. We'll end the day with a pleasant walk in the town of Mértola, where we'll stay at the Hotel-Museum. On Sunday, after breakfast and a short stroll through the town, we'll head to Serpa for a walk through the historic centre, with a suggested visit to the Clock Museum. Come with us and you won't regret it! Limited places

These are some of the most important places we'll be visiting during this event: 

• São Domingos Mine
• Ore Route - 13 kms
• Tapada Grande River Beach
• Casa do Mineiro, Centro Republicano 5 de Outubro, Posto da Polícia, Palácio da Administração, Bairro e Jardim dos Ingleses, Monumento ao Mineiro, Campo Cross Brown, Igreja, Pago Velho, Latrina, Bairro Operário, Cemitério dos Ingleses, Tapada Grande, Tapada Pequena
• Town of Mértola
• Holms of the Guadiana
• Possibility of visiting some of the sites of Mértola: Castle, Mother Church, Necropolis, etc.
• Walk around Mértola - 5 kms
• Tour of Serpa - Historic Route - 2.7 kms
• Visit to the Clock Museum (suggested)
• Natural landscapes

TIME: Departure from Lisbon at 7am
RETURN: Arrival in Lisbon at 7.30pm

Saturday 24th October

Walking: “Ore Route”

Points of interest: Mine Entrance, Corta, Ore Wharf, Malacate, Workshops and Warehouses, Power Station, Old Railway, Ponte Preta, Mointinha Station, Achada do Gamo and Natural Landscapes

The Ore Route evokes the mine's recent past on a path that runs through the old mining complex, along or parallel to the old railway track, past the Moitinha Station, Achada do Gamo (sulphur factories) and on to the village of Santana de Cambas, to follow old smuggling trails on the way back to the village of Mina de São Domingos. This is an open-air museum that shows the experiences of the time and the various stages of mining and processing the ore.

Level of difficulty of the route: 3 (Scale of 1 to 5)

Route length: 13 kilometres

13h30 - We suggest the picnic option, which is the responsibility of each participant.

Estimated duration: 3h30

14.30 - Guided tour of the urban circuit of the S. Domingos Mine and the old mining complex

17h00 - Check-in at the Hotel-Museum in Mértola and suggestion of a short walk at dusk

20h00 - Suggested Group Dinner

25th October (Sunday)

Walking: “Semi-urban tour of Mértola and Serpa”

Points of interest: Vila de Mértola, Azenhas do Guadiana, riverside area, historic area (castle, parish church, necropolis, etc.) and viewpoints

This walk will take us to get to know the town of Mértola, the riverside area and the historic quarter a little better, with a detour to the spectacular landscape formed by the Azenhas do Guadiana.

Level of difficulty of the route: 3 (Scale of 1 to 5)

Route length: 5 kilometres

Estimated time: 2 hours

13h00 - We suggest the picnic or lunch option in Serpa

14:30 - Tour of Serpa's historic centre with a suggested visit to the Clock Museum

Points of interest along the way: Antiga Igreja da Misericórdia, Igreja de Santa Maria, Castle, Palácio dos Condes de Ficalho, Igreja de N. Sra dos Remédios, Igreja de São Paulo, Igreja N. Sra do Carmo, Torre do Relógio, Capela do Calvário, Igreja do Salvador, Ermida de São Roque, Museu do Relógio, Museu de Arqueologia and Museu de Etnografia.

16.30 - End of activity and return to Lisbon

Equipment: Suitable footwear and clothing for hiking/walking

Registration fee:

Price includes:

- Transport by coach/bus/tourist van from Lisbon to each of the places described above
- 2 Walks and the route described above
- Accommodation in a 3-star hotel, breakfast included
- The proposed accommodation option includes various room types
- Guided Walks
- Compulsory insurance

Prices with transport

Price in double room: 210€
Price in single room: 260€

Values without transport

Price in double room: 150€
Price in single room: 200€

Seat reservation fee: 50€

THE POSSIBILITY OF CAR-POOLING AMONG PARTICIPANTS IF THEY WISH, FOR THOSE WHO DON'T WANT TO USE OUR TRANSPORT AND DON'T MIND SHARING OR HITCHHIKING WITH OTHER PARTICIPANTS.

Prices valid until 31st July. From that date onwards the prices are 230€ and 280€ respectively (option with transport).

Notes: 

a) Registrations are limited and accommodation options are limited to availability at the time of booking.

b) If you have a group interested in this trip, contact us, we have personalised solutions.