With roots back to the roman empire, the small Portuguese town of Serpa is always worth a visit, when discovering the Alentejo region. Its ancient walls, small streets and white-washed houses, welcomed us last summer and left us with some great memories.
However, before we travelled to Serpa, we read some of the few blog articles available about this town and got the impression that this town in the Alentejo does not have a lot to offer. With very few expectations, we decided to spend a late afternoon in Serpa. It should be mentioned that this was in August and during that week we had temperatures of more than 40 degrees. Equipped with some bottles of water, we arrived in Serpa and parked our car in Rua da Fonte Santa, directly opposite of Casa do Povo.
Explore the historic Portas do Beja and the ancient Aqueduct of Serpa
From there, you can already see the Portas do Beja which form the entry to this charming town. Directly next to the Portas do Beja, you can also see an aqueduct of the city which reminds of the old history of Serpa. Visiting Serpa is like entering an open-air museum, where every corner holds a story from the past. The town walls which surrounds great parts of the town are impressive to see.
When you enter at Portas do Beja, you are free to walk through the small streets. One recommendation from us: After entering at Portas do Beja, follow the path on the left side “Ladeira do Amaral” and you will be charmed by some pretty old streets.
Inside the town walls of Serpa, you can visit the clock tower “Torre do Relógio” as well as the Castelo de Serpa with its impressive rock formation at the entrace. However, keep in mind that the Castelo and a garden inside only have very short opening hours. Unfortunately during our visit, we missed the time and were not able to visit the Castelo from the inside. Nevertheless, we enjoyed Serpa a lot and it was a great opportunity to have a wonderful walk. Form our experience, half a day is more than enough to discover Serpa and its hidden corners.
Discover the Praça da República and try the local cheese from Serpa
At the heart of Serpa is also the Praça da República, a square surrounded by impressive buildings, including the town hall. This lively area is filled with some cafes and restaurants which provides a perfect spot for visitors and locals to eat or just enjoy the atmosphere. It should also be mentioned that Serpa is a very calm town and during our walk through the whole town, we rarely met some people. Even if it was summer, it felt somewhat extinct which even emphasizes the magical atmosphere of this historical town.
Besides the beauty of this historical town, Serpa is renowned for its culinary heritage, particularly its sheep’s cheese which is celebrated worldwide. If you have the chance, you must try this delicious cheese from Serpa (we are sure you will love it).
Historical town with a unique atmosphere
Finally, Serpa’s story is written on its streets and in its buildings. Enclosed within a 13th-century castle wall, this small Portuguese town is a treasure of historical landmarks. The medieval castle, which has stood witness to numerous historical events, gives Serpa its final touch. So do not forget to put Serpa on your bucketlist, when you visit the Alentejo region!
