International Tagus Natural Park

This natural park spreads across steep gorges and rolling hills where the Tagus River marks the Spanish-Portuguese border, with holm oaks and cork trees covering the landscape. The terrain shifts from dry uplands with scrub vegetation to lush riverside valleys where water shapes green corridors of growth.

The Spanish section gained official protection in 2006, following the Portuguese side which was secured in 2000. This cross-border arrangement made the area an example of shared environmental stewardship between two countries.

Local communities here practice cork harvesting, beekeeping, and herding, which shape daily life along the border. These traditional activities remain visible in how people use the land and maintain their villages.

A visitor center in Alcántara offers trail maps, boat tour information, and guidance for watching birds throughout the seasons. The terrain is uneven with steep slopes in places, so sturdy footwear and taking time to acclimate to the heat are wise choices.

The park hosts over 150 bird species, with the Iberian imperial eagle, black stork, and Egyptian vulture nesting among holm oaks and cork trees. Birdwatchers come here because few other places in the region offer such rich variety in a single area.