Cheles at the Alqueva Reservoir: Beach, Dehesa and History

The Camino Natural del Guadiana leads to Cheles, its beach and the nearby boat harbour before reaching Villanueva del Fresno. The waterscape, paths through the Dehesa and historic buildings give the town different facets that can be combined during a trip.

Water and paths

Playa de Cheles is located on the Alqueva Reservoir, about five kilometres from the town, and is surrounded by the typical Extremaduran Dehesa landscape. The beach has lawns, sand, a bathing area, parking spaces, a children's playground, parasols, picnic areas and a beach bar. Playa La Dehesa, also known as Isla Ceniza, is designated as an official bathing water area.

The Embarcadero de Cheles has moorings for boats and, following the course of the reservoir, lies about two kilometres south of the beach area. In the Cheles area, Alqueva Entretenida organises and offers activities all year round, including boat trips, water sports, hiking, cycling tours and tastings of Iberian products.

The EX-315 leads near the municipality of Cheles to the Gran Lago de Alqueva, the largest artificial lake in Western Europe.

Landscape and cycling routes

BTT Route 4 Dehesas de Cheles is a 14.28-kilometre circular route classified as easy, starting and ending in Cheles. In Cheles, Route 3 connects with Route 4 Dehesas de Cheles. Another BTT route connects Alconchel with Cheles and leads to the Embalse de Alqueva.

Route 4 Dehesas de Cheles passes through the Dehesa Boyal and the Dehesa de Mirleo. It offers views of the confluence of the Arroyo de Valcuervo stream, the Ribera de Táliga and the Río Guadiana, which is dammed by the Alqueva Reservoir. Along the route, visitors can observe aromatic plants such as thyme, mint and oregano, as well as Rosa de Alejandría, also known as Rosa Albardeira, and birds such as golden eagles, Bonelli's eagles, cranes and black storks.

Culture and architecture

The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción in Cheles was built in the first third of the 16th century, when the town was relocated to its present site. Its entrance staircase is made of marble from the neighbouring Portuguese town of Villaviciosa. The church has three masonry naves with ribbed vaults; the main chapel is topped by a Gothic ribbed vault.

The Ermita del Cristo de la Paz is a small, simple building in the vernacular style, with whitewashed walls and a large, striking, externally visible tiled dome. Construction of the chapel began in the last quarter of the 17th century following the Portuguese Restoration War.

The Palacio de los Condes de Cheles o Vía Manuel was built at the end of the 17th century after the castle had been destroyed during the Portuguese Restoration War. The palace retains a stone tower and an arch or passageway above Calle de Guadalupe, which once connected the residence with the private gardens.

Cuisine

The traditional cuisine of Cheles uses ingredients from the surrounding landscape, the typical Extremaduran Dehesa and the Río Guadiana. It includes 61 recipes in the categories of soups and other bread-based dishes, vegetables and pulses, meat, slaughter dishes, game and fish, as well as desserts and pastries.

At the end of October, a gastronomic, sporting and musical festival was held in Cheles. The festival at the end of October brings people from Spain and Portugal together to sample the fish typical of Cheles.

Other places

Other places to choose from include Medellín, Malpartida de la Serena, Villar Del Rey, La Garrovilla, Burguillos, Herrera Del Duque, Villalba De Los Barros and Siruela.

For the higher-level travel overview: Badajoz.