Also known as time travelling as you arrive in Portugal 59 minutes earlier than when you left Spain! As I was in the area of the Spain-Portugal border I decided that zip-lining from Spain to Portugal with LimiteZero was the only way to go!
Weeee! Look at Katie go!
Limite Zero cross border zip-line
Limite Zero have been operating their zip-line from the Spanish side of the Guadiana river to Portugal for 5 years. The river serves as the border between the 2 countries and also the time zone – hence my time travelling!
I pre-booked a slot online before we got there – but when we turned up early they easily shifted me to an earlier ‘flight’.
When you arrive at their river side office you step into your harness and then they drive you the hill. The zip-line starts from a hut right near the fort at the top of the hill.
You can tell it’s a border town – there were forts on both sides of the river crossing!
Getting ready to ‘jump’
Once out of the jeep you collect a ‘handle’ and walk up to the hut. Here they go through the instructions one by one. When the line is confirmed as clear they let you through to hook you up.
A test inside the hut and a last tightening of the harness then you are free to go! Legs up as you go out of the gate then sail away down the line (rather than the river!)
The zip-line is 0.7km long but it doesn’t feel that far – the journey is over too quickly! At the opposite end they have an automatic braking station to slow you down before you are released from the harness.
My official photo
Once back on solid land the only thing that remains is to decide if you want the commemorative photo of the occasion! (They have a photographer capturing pictures before you finish – yours for €5, a definite bargain)
Heading back to Spain
Then it’s a short walk back to the quayside to get your ferry back to the Spanish side (the nearest bridge is a long way away!) The ferry ride is included in the LimiteZero ticket price of €18. They say to allow 40 minutes for the whole thing as you may have to wait for a ferry. I just managed to jump on one as he was leaving the quay!
You can also spend more time on the Portugal side and have lunch or drinks – ferries run to 9pm.
The boats join the two towns together across the river
The verdict
I think the LimiteZero zip-line was a great diversion if you are in the area. It’s approx 30 mins drive from the A49 and the rural drive is lovely too. However don’t expect a lot of things going on in the villages either side of the river. Some lunch and an ice cream/beer is about as much as is going on!
Lyne says
Omg I had no idea you could do such thing it looks so fun, the best way to cross the border! I’d love to try it
Katie Hughes says
It was really fun Lyne, I’d definitely recommend if you are ever in the area!
Cynthia says
THAT LOOKS AMAZING!!!!! I actually haven’t tried a zipline yet, but if I do it, crossing into another country, and back in time (haha) seems like the way to go! I’m totally putting this on my bucket list!
Katie Hughes says
Excellent stuff Cynthia! I’ve zip-lined a long distance before in Peru, but never over the border. I felt a little like James Bond lol!
Katie Hughes says
I think it definitely needs to be a bucket list item Cynthia!
Kimmie Conner says
What an awesome and unique adventure!! And one of the coolest ways to cross a border ever! I was wondering if they would have to stamp your passport 😛 haha
Katie Hughes says
Sadly you don’t need your passport Kimmie
Nomads4Life says
I would never have thought of doing that. How long was the actual zip experience? In the video, it looks very short.
Katie Hughes says
It’s only a minute or two on the actual line – takes much longer to get back to Spain lol!
Anisa says
Looks fun but a bit too scary for me. My husband would love it though! Neat that you time travel too!
Katie Hughes says
Thanks Anisa – my mum chickened out of doing it last minute too! ?
Anjali W says
Zip lining is such a thrilling experience! You are truly very brave to have gone for it!
Katie Hughes says
Thanks Anjali!
This Wanderlust Heart says
Omg Katie you are so brave! This looks like such a fun thing to do! Thanks for sharing with us because I didn’t even know you could cross the border like that.
Katie Hughes says
It’s truly unique!
Trang Trang says
You are so brave. You could smile when you try it. I think I would cry out when I get back to the ground
Katie Hughes says
It was fun once you got started – a big adrenaline rush at the end Trang!
sherianne says
I’m planning Spain and Portugal this fall and this will absolutely go on the to do list. Super affordable, Is the town close by on the Portugal side to do some exploring before the return to Spain?
Katie Hughes says
Hey Sherianne – you can absolutely explore the Portuguese side – the town isn’t big at all though.
Alexander Popkov says
That’s quite a long zip line. I was trying only shorter ones. Would love to get on this. And you can actually cross the borders with it.. sounds like fun.
Katie Hughes says
It’s definitely worth a go Alexander!
Annick says
I love zip lining, I love Spain and I love Portugal! This seems like such a cool activity! Thank you for sharing 🙂