Castro Verde and Mértola

The region between Castro Verde and Mértola is one of Portugal's most special environmental treasures. It is home to an enormous wealth of fauna, especially numerous species of steppe birds and birds of prey, as well as the rare and endangered Iberian Lynx. It is part of a Special Protection Area for Birds under the Natura 2000 Network (SPA PT029), as it is home to threatened species such as the Great Bustard, the Bustard, the Lesser Kestrel, the Hunting Eagle, the Iberian Imperial Eagle and the Roller. The open landscape, with extensive cereal fields, pastures, some forest stands and mountain areas, make this one of the most fascinating places to visit.