Located near the coast, midway between Santiago do Cacém
and Odemira, Cercal do Alentejo is a small town of just over
4,000 people.
Its name derives from the Latin quercalu (meaning oak), due
to the large number of such trees in the area.
What to see. Dating back to the 17th century, Cercal do Alentejo’s
charming parish church features a striking interior with sculptures
and other items of interest.
Nearby. A short drive to the southwest lies Vila Nova de Milfontes,
an attractive resort town situated at the mouth of the River
Mira. Once an important harbour, its imposing castle (now a
hotel) served as a lookout post for pirates venturing up and
down the Alentejo coast.
