Alcácer do Sal sits on the Sado river, about twenty kilometres south of this point, and it takes its name from salt: the Romans called the town Salacia, and the Arabs later gave it the name that stuck. For centuries the marshes around it have been worked for salt, which was shipped from the river to the northern ports and across Europe.
This region is better for swimming than the label suggests. The Sado is slow, wide and tidal, with sandy banks and small beaches here and there, and in summer, local people cool off in the water or on the reservoirs in the area. The landscape also has real wildlife value, with storks, flamingos, herons and spoonbills on the estuary, and wild boar and foxes in the forest. Dusk, when mist rises off the water, is the best time.
The riding is relaxed. Straight, shaded roads pass pine plantations, cork oak groves and the occasional vineyard or rice field, and the surface is generally smooth, though in places sand and pine needles collect on the tarmac. There is little traffic away from the main road, and long, empty stretches invite you to relax. In summer the heat can reach forty degrees, so take water and ride early. Vendas Novas hosts a large military training area, so be aware of the occasional convoy.
Fuel is available at Vendas Novas and Alcácer do Sal, with supermarkets and cafes. For lunch, look for a family restaurant serving local specialities, such as roast lamb, rice with seafood or cod with bread. The salt from this area, the flor de sal, is sold in small shops and makes an excellent present. The best seasons are spring and autumn, when the heat is bearable, and the light has a clear, golden softness that suits the flat land.