In its third year, the Festival do Contrabando is back on, from 29 to 31 March next year, linking Alcoutim in Portugal to Sanlúcar de Guadiana across the river in Spain.
The main attraction is the floating bridge that allows pedestrians to walk from one country to the other.
Alcoutim Council, says the border town’s identity is rooted in smuggling and a full three days of fun, history and art makes the Festival do Contrabando, or Smuggling Festival, an "anchor event in the development strategy for the area, one that values the local economy, the historical heritage and the knowledge of tradition and cultural."
The festival is an example of cooperation between the two towns, facing each other over the river - the clocks always running an hour apart.
There is support from the Portugal’s government through the national tourist board, the Algarve tourist board and the 365 Algarve events programme.
The Spanish wholeheartedly have thrown themselves into the fun with the support of the Junta de Andalucia’s Huelva office, the Huelva tourist board, the local communities association and the Cajasol foundation.
What started out as an idea that many scoffed at, has proved to be immensely popular and gives the area an economic boost as well as lifting the spirits just before Spring and the baking hot days of Summer.
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