Alcoutim

Alcoutim is a lovely village of whitewashed houses with orange roofs, opposite the equally picturesque village of Sanlúcar de Guadiana, across the river in Spain. Alcoutim boasts a castle that dates from the 14th century and a riverside statue of an otter made from garbage, part of Portuguese street artist Bordalo II’s Big Trash Animals series.

There are two places to stay in Alcoutim. Hotel d’Alcoutim is a resort-style hotel with a pool and tennis court and is about a kilometre north of the village. Alojamento Brisas, in the village, is a better choice, with two rooms for either €45 (with en-suite bathroom) or €40 (with a bathroom outside the room). Call or text +351 967 531 064 to make a booking.