Featured Event

Mértola recalls its Arab past in the Islamic festival that fills the town streets with colour in the month of May.

During the Festival, Mértola returns to an era located between the 8th and 13th centuries in which it was the capital of a Taifa kingdom and an important commercial port in the routes between the Iberian peninsular and North Africa.

Arab dancers and musicians exhibit their arts, artisans produce and sell their artefacts in a busy market and chefs prepare tidbits from traditional Muslim gastronomy, such as couscous accompanied by mint tea. Anyone who wants to extend their knowledge about Arab culture may also take part in calligraphy ateliers or observe exhibitions and colloquia dedicated to this theme.