Alcoutim's Festival do Contrabando

Remembering the smuggling activity between Portugal & Spain

WHEN

Friday 4 April to Sunday 6 April

ADDRESS

, Alcoutim

The Festival do Contrabando - Smugglers Festival, is an annual event which commemorates the history of 'smuggling' which took place between the people living on the Portuguese and the Spanish borders of the Guadiana river. This is a great weekend event for all the family, with plenty of live entertainment, food and drink. Held every two years, the festival is back in April 2025., from 4th to 6th.

✔ Crossing Ticket: €4 per person
✔ Includes a scarf
✔ Valid for all 3 days
📢 Groups (21+ people) must book in advance via email: 📩 festival.contrabando@cm-alcoutim.pt

📍 Ticket Booth – Opening Hours (PT Time)
🕛 Friday, April 4 – 11:00 AM to 6:30 PM
🕛 Saturday, April 5 – 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM
🕛 Sunday, April 6 – 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM

📍 Pedestrian Crossing over the Guadiana River – Opening Hours (PT Time)
🚶 Friday, April 4 – 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
🚶 Saturday, April 5 – 10:30 AM to 7:00 PM
🚶 Sunday, April 6 – 10:30 AM to 7:00 PM

⚠️ Crossing Restrictions
For everyone's safety, the following are not permitted:
🚫 Drinks
🚫 Bicycles, scooters, skateboards, or roller skates
🚫 Strollers or baby carriers
🚫 Wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, or canes
🚫 Animals (except guide dogs)
👶 Children under 12 must always be accompanied by an adult.

🚦 Safety Rules:
❌ Do not run, jump, or stop for long periods on the bridge.
✅ Follow the designated crossing directions and entry/exit areas.

The history
Before Portugal was part of the European Union the Guadiana was a popular passage for smugglers. The Portuguese took coffee and sugar and traded it for fabrics from Spain. Smugglers transported the goods by swimming across the river between Alcoutim and Sanlúcar de Guadiana. Aside from the contraband that was exchanged, there was an exchange of arts and culture, which is also celebrated at the festival.

The festival
The Contraband Festival focuses on a cultural and historical legacy that is remembered throughout the region and the area, and which is part of the local heritage. The festival re-creates a rural market of the era, combining all the activities of contraband, guards, ancient crafts, street art and historical reenactments.

One of the great attractions of this event is the Floating Bridge over the Guadiana river that allows local communities to see a longstanding dream fulfilled; allowing pedestrians to cross between the two banks of the river, during the three days of the event.