The best MTB trails around Paymogo

The ruins of the Minas de São Domingos, located in the municipality of Mértola, Alentejo, constitute one of the most impressive and enigmatic abandoned industrial settings on the Iberian Peninsula. With origins dating back to Roman times, the complex experienced its peak under British management by the company Mason & Barry from 1854 onwards, becoming a true industrial enclave focused on the massive extraction of copper pyrite and sulfur until its closure in 1966. The abandonment gave way to an almost apocalyptic landscape, where reddish soils, acidic waters, and old degraded masonry structures attract photographers, the curious, and industrial tourism enthusiasts.👍🥾🚲

The Hermitage of Our Lady of La Peña in Puebla de Guzmán (Huelva) is one of the most emblematic sanctuaries in the Andévalo region of Huelva province, with a deep spiritual, artistic, and cultural tradition. Location: On Cerro del Águila (Eagle Hill), about 4 km from the town center. Origin: Probably built in the 16th century, with significant renovations in the 17th century, 1960, and 1992. Founding legend: According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to the shepherd Alonso Gómez in the 15th century, who was instructed to build a hermitage on that site.

The Church of the Holy Cross in Puebla de Guzmán (province of Huelva, Andalusia) is a temple of great historical, artistic, and spiritual value. Original construction: Late 16th and early 17th centuries. It was praised in 1645 by Francisco de Rada. Between 1748 and 1757, significant renovations were carried out, including a new main chapel whose roof was converted into a watchtower. It suffered severe damage during a fire in July 1936, at the beginning of the Spanish Civil War. It was rebuilt by the architect José María Pérez Carasa.

Along the Ribeira do Geraldo, the Tapada Grande Dam Reservoir holds an unexpected treasure: this serene river beach, with golden sands, fresh lawns, and every comfort for leisure. Once a vital reservoir for the old mining industry, today it is a setting for rest and harmony. Nearby stands the town of Minas de São Domingos, born of the mining past and still marked by the memory of this unique heritage.

The old, abandoned copper mines resemble a lunar landscape: a strange and fascinating stage, illuminated by the reflections of copper-hued lakes. A road cuts through the landscape, guiding you along dirt roads. Streams and wells glow in unlikely colors, from copper to green to deep black. Signs warn of the dangers of the water, but nothing prevents your gaze from losing itself in the dramatic and unsettling beauty of the place.

Located in the tranquil setting of the Barragem da Tapada Grande reservoir, this river beach of the same name is a very pleasant recreational area with a sandy beach, lawns, and comprehensive infrastructure. Nearby is the village of Minas de São Domingos, which was developed in connection with the now-defunct mining operations.

The border town between Spain and Portugal. Good food at Hostal Paymogo.

It is not a border town, since the urban centre is 20 km from the border line, although the municipal area is a border town.