Sines City the birthplace of Vasco Da Gama - Alcacer and Santiago do Cacem

Sines is a long way off the tourist trail and on first impressions it is easy to see why. The town's history dates back to Roman times when it was called Sinus. Over the years it established good trading relations with some of the Mediterranean nations and thrived. The towns crowning glory came in 1460 (or 1469) when Portugal’s legendary explorer Vasco da Gama was born in the castle here. He went on to establish trade routes between Portugal and India.

This Alentejo town is on the left bank of the River Sado, just before it widens into an immense estuary. The low-lying countryside is a patchwork of rice fields and coniferous woodland that yields a big pine nut harvest. Alcácer do Sal is still marshalled by a medieval castle, with a superb museum in its crypt that brings to light 2,700 years of history. On the estuary you might catch sight of the resident pod of dolphins, and if you trace the river down to the coast the Tróia Peninsula has flawless white beaches that need to be seen to be believed. Visit the Castle Alcácer do Sal- This rocky promontory by the Sado River has been inhabited since time immemorial. During the Moorish occupation it was an integral provincial stronghold with a powerful keep and 20 towers that climbed to over 25 metres. But by the 16th century the castle was obsolete and was turned into a convent. Neglect and earthquakes had left the site dilapidated until a pousada (heritage hotel) opened for business in the 1990s. In the upper reaches linger for a moment to appreciate the huge, flat expanse of the plain where rice fields line the course of the river.

This land is a blend of maritime coast, pine forest and Alentejan inspiration. It is the country's second biggest municipality and its highest elevation is to be found in the Cercal hills at a height of 346 meters. From here one can see the vastness of the sea to the West. Those travelling in this region who are interested in handicrafts can find chairs and stools made of wood and wicker at São Bartolomeu da Serra and at São Domingos da Serra, saddlery at Santiago do Cacém and at Cercal do Alentejo, ceramics at Santo André and Ermidas Sado and woodwork and cork at Cercal do Alentejo. Excavations at Castelo Velho (Old Castle) on a hill to the east of the present city, date human occupation of the region to pre-historic times. The settlement, dating from the late Neolithic, was fortified by the Celts (3rd and 2nd centuries BC) and subsequently Romanised. Under Roman occupation, Miróbriga grew up as an agricultural and livestock centre, complete with its spas, and its importance can be seen, for example, in its large hippodrome used for training and horse racing. Following the Germanic invasions of the 5th century the region lost importance, and the Moors built a new castle on a hill opposite that they called Cacém, probably in honour of an alcalde or sheriff. The Knights Templar took the fortress from the Moors in 1157, though they were to retake it and hold on to it until 1217, when Christians took it for good. King Afonso II confirmed his father's donation of the town to the Order of the Espatários or Gladiators. Between 1310 and 1336 the castle was in the hands of queen Saint Isabel's lady-in-waiting and friend, the Byzantine princess Vetácia. It was then handed over to the Order of Santiago until 1594, when Filipe II donated it to the dukes of Aveiro who held on to it until 1759 when it passed into the hands of the Crown. King Manuel granted a charter to Santiago do Cacém in 1510.

Visit the Roman ruins of Miróbriga have been referenced since the 16th century. In the old city it is possible to see the forum, temples, baths and houses