Portugal: Mertola

Mertola is a stunning hilltop town in the southeastern Portugal, off the main tourist route and often overlooked. The town sits right above the Guadiana River that connects directly to the Atlantic Ocean, making the location strategically important. The town saw a lot of history – inhabited since Iron Age, it really flourished under the Mooish Islamic rule in 7-12th century, before being recaptured in the 13th century by Christians. The biggest attraction here is the Mertola Fortress right on the top on the town, a spectacular structure from the 13th century, and you. An climb to the top of the tallest tower of super panoramic views of the entire area around the town