The town has been settled since the pre-Roman period and during the Muslim occupation, the town defended the passage of copper, mined in the area and transported on the Guadiana.
The castle is of great historical significance, for it was here that the treaty between the Kingdoms of Portugal and Castille was signed in the middle ages.
Today the years of Spanish-Portuguese rivalry are long gone and the border fortress of Sanlúcar de Guadiana on the opposite bank of the river, exchanges visitors with Alcoutim via a regular ferry service.
The investment growth potential in Eastern Algarve is more rapid and higher than that offered by other parts of Portugal , partly due to the lower land acquisition prices and the fact that the area is more unspoilt. Some refer to the east as a “sleeping giant” which has now stirred. All in all, now is undeniably a great time to check out the investment opportunities for property in eastern Algarve !