The Alentejo region: the best places to visit

The Alentejo region is one of the seven NUTS II regions in Portugal. The main cities to visit in this region are: Évora, Elvas, Portalegre, Beja, Moura, Serpa, Sines and Santarém.

This region enchants for its diverse natural beauties, such as its golden sandy beaches, exuberant nature and magnificent lakes. The landscapes are really impressive.

It has a little over 500 inhabitants spread over its 000 km². Which makes it an ideal paradise to escape the city bustle and enjoy life at your own pace.

What to do in this region?

Here you can enjoy wine and olive oil tasting. You can also visit the walled city of Monsaraz and taste the Açorda, a breadcrumb soup. As well as seeing the cork oaks, from which virtually all the cork used in wine corks around the world is extracted.

The inhabitants of this region, called alentejanos, are very welcoming. They are used to not caring about the passage of time. For them, the day passes slowly, so that they can fully enjoy it. Of a magnificent sunrise as it sets.

Its small villages and municipalities are reminiscent of fairy tales. Some of them, like Elvas, in the north of the region, have been designated a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

Due to its location, the Portuguese dynasty invested in military buildings. Currently, it is the largest fortification stronghold in the world. It has a star-shaped defensive structure with a perimeter of around 10 km and Islamic and medieval walls.

Évora, the largest city in Alentejo, surprises with the remains of different civilizations that mark its architecture and its cultural richness. Like the sinister chapel dos Ossos, a legacy of the reigns of D. João II and D. Manuel I.

Buildings dating from the time of the Roman occupation, medieval churches and castles and prehistoric ruins are everywhere.

Luxury hotels give new life to convents and castles of the Middle Ages. Places like Reguengos de Monsaraz, Portalegre, Marvão and Beja complete the list of attractions in this region.

The wine and gastronomy of this region

The Alentejo remains a sacred place for wine and food lovers. The wine tourism offer is vast and the options are scattered throughout the destination.

You can experience the production process of award-winning Alentejo wines. Learn more about them and taste them at one of the wine route wineries.

Besides the vineyards, the charming estates offer complete experiences in accommodation and many typical rural activities.

The coast has some of the best beaches on the European continent, many of them perfect for water sports, others ideal for a family day out and sunbathing.

Gastronomy is a separate attraction. The tasty dishes are based on lamb, Alentejo pork and hare. As well as fish and seafood, with seasonings such as cilantro, oregano, parsley and thyme. Always accompanied by traditional bread from the region.