Vila Real de Santo Antonio : Profile

Location

Sailors from far away have been visiting the Guadiana for thousands of years, the first to arrive were probably the Phoenicians from the eastern Mediterranean, who arrived about 1000 BC, not as conquerors but as merchants bringing with them dyes, fabrics, ceramics, glass, metals, wine, seeds for crops and olive oil to trade with the locals. They established a fishing port at Vila Real de Santo Antonio and ports at Alcoutim and Mértola further up the river.

Over the Centuries the Guadiana has been used for transport by boat and there are a great many fortified settlements that have been built on the banks of the river. There are impressive castles on the west bank of the river at Castro Marim and Alcoutim as well as the imposing castle built by the moors at Mertola.

Much more recently, in the 18th century, guard houses were built at regular intervals all the way up the river on the Portuguese side. The guards who lived in these houses had only one task and that was to keep a constant look out across the river in case of a Spanish attack.

In 1755 Vila Real St António was very badly damaged by the tsunami caused by the earthquake that damaged so much of the Algarve and Lisbon. It was not until 1774 that, thanks to the enthusiasm and drive of the Marqués de Pombal, the town was completely re-built a little further inland. He used the very latest concepts in town planning and created a beautiful town with a central square known as the Praça Marqués de Pombal which is ringed with lemon trees and attractive Portuguese symmetric 18th century architecture. Almost all of the buildings on the west side of the square are now cafés or restaurants with tables and chairs extending out into the square under modern sunshades making it a relaxing place to sit and enjoy a coffee, a drink or a meal.

Clearance

If yacht is registered in the EU and all her crew are EU nationals, completion of the usual multi-part form in the marina office is sufficient. Otherwise it is necessary to visit the offices of the Policia Maritima and Imigracao at the Capitania, about 50m south of the marina.

Docking

There is a new marina here, on the west bank of the river. The stream runs very hard and it is wise to plan arrival for slack water.

Port Authority, "Porto de Vilareal" - VHF channels 11 and 16.

The Guadiana is navigable all the way up to Pomarão, half way between Alcoutim and Mértola on the east bank of the river. Between Alcoutim and Pomarão it is very beautiful and remote. There are pontoons off Alcoutim, Sanlúcar and Pomarão and off some smaller villages, some with electricity and water. It is safe to anchor anywhere.

Last updated April 2009.

Porto Desportivo do Guadiana
Tel:+351 281 541 571, Fax:+351 281 511 140, VHF Channel 9 / 12
anguadiana@mail.telepac.pt
Lying on the west (Portuguese) shore of the Guadiana river, the marina is badly affected by both the river current and tides, and should therefore be entered near slack tide. The marina is close to the centre of town, with many shops and restaurants. 360 berths (inexpensive), showers, ice, slipway, yacht club and restaurant.

Yacht Clubs

The Associacao Naval do Guadiana
Blue tiled building at south end of marina basin. Terrace bar and restaurant open to non members.

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