Alcácer do Sal is a municipality in Portugal’s Setúbal District, set along the Sado River and known for its deep historical roots, stretching back more than 40,000 years. Its landscape blends rice fields, pine forests, and a dramatic hilltop crowned by a medieval castle.
What makes Alcácer do Sal distinctive
Ancient origins: Human presence dates to the Mesolithic period, with settlements tied to the Sado estuary’s rich ecosystem.Phoenician & Roman heritage: Once known as Salacia, the Roman city honored the sea nymph Salacia and thrived on the salt trade.
Medieval stronghold: The Castelo de Alcácer do Sal was a major Moorish fortress before becoming a convent and later a pousada hotel.
Archaeological depth: The castle’s crypt reveals 27 centuries of overlapping civilizations, from Iron Age foundations to Moorish structures.
