Valencia de Alcantara is a small market town (market on Monday), situated about 10km from the border with Portugal.  The population of thetown and surrounding hamlets is approx. 6,000.  The old centre of the town dates from 12th century and includes many churches, monuments and an ancient Jewish quarter. 
The area around Valencia de Alcantara is one of the best preserved areas of Megalithic monuments in Europe.  There are many marked routes for walks and drives, including many of these monuments.

Alcantara – By the banks of the Tagus River and on its way into Portugal, spreads Alcántara. This town situated right on the border that separates Spain from Portugal, has a great monumental heritage.  It’s Roman Bridge and the constructions done by the Orden de Alcántara or Alcántara Order are the most important. Forests of Holm oaks, Cork oaks make up the landscape that surrounds the Alcántara reservoir.(Click here to web site)

Caceres – Caceres is a beautiful city boasting an intact old town.  More information can be found at http://www.euroresidentes.com/euroresiuk/guides-spain/guide-to-caceres.htm.

Merida – Merida is hardly known, yet contains some of the best preserved Roman remains in Europe.  More information can be found at http://www.spain.info/TourSpain/Destinos/TipoII/Datos+Generales/L/CH/0/Merida?Language=en

Marvao – Just across the border is the castle town of Marvao – great fun for children of all ages.  http://www.cm-marvao.pt/

Castelo do Vide – Another castle town in Portugal, approx. 10km further into Portugal.  http://www.portugal-info.net/alentejo/castelodevide.htm.

Hunting – From October to December is hunting season, with rabbit, pheasant, partridge, deer and wild boar.  (Licence required).

With an extension of 25.088 hectares Parque Tajo International (Tagus International Reserve includes 11 municipal districts; Zarza la Mayor, Alcántara, Brozas, Herreruela, Salorino, Membrío, Carbajo, Santiago de Alcántara, Herrera de Alcántara, Cedillo and Valencia de Alcántara. This great Reserve has a very important flora and fauna from an environmental point of view. For example, and in relation to vegetation, it has shady and humid forests, rich river valleys, sub humid Mediterranean forests with cork oaks, gall oaks, mulberries, strawberry trees and figs.

Concerning fauna, the most important feature and for which this area was declared Zona de Especial Protección de Aves (ZEPA), (Zone of Special Protection of Birds) in year 2000. The Tagus International Reserve has registered 150 pairs of Tawny Vulture, 35 pairs of Black Vulture, 32 pairs of Egyptian Vulture, 23 pairs of Black Stork, 10 pairs of Royal Eagle,  9 pairs of Partridge Eagle and 4 pairs of Imperial Iberian Eagle. Additionally there are numerous and various specimens of lizard, mole, European tortoise and otter.

These natural qualities together with the patrimony heritage, Roman Bridge in Valencia de Alcántara, “Castros” or Celtic houses, Dolmens from the Metal Age makes the Tagus International Reserve one of those hidden treasures of unknown beauty worthwhile exploring.