Alentejo Portugal
5
Day Itinerary •
Portugal
Five days in the Alentejo gives you the complete experience of the most extraordinary rural region in Portugal, from the remarkable UNESCO city of Evora and the extraordinary megalithic monuments of Almendres to the hilltop villages of Monsaraz and Marvao, the finest Alentejo wine estates, the remarkable walled town of Estremoz and the extraordinary cork oak landscapes of the finest agricultural plain in Iberia. This route covers the full Alentejo: the extraordinary Evora UNESCO city, the remarkable Almendres megalithic cromlech, the extraordinary hilltop fortress village of Monsaraz above the Alqueva lake, the remarkable walled marble towns of Estremoz and Vila Vicosa, the extraordinary Alentejo wine estates and the magnificent hilltop citadel of Marvao on the Spanish border.
Best Time To Visit
March to June or September to November
Getting There
Drive from Lisbon (1.5 hours) or fly to Faro and drive 2 hours north.
Getting Around
Car essential throughout. Village roads are narrow but well maintained.
Budget Per Day
Approx 70 to 140 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy , driving and village walking with some cobbled streets
DAY 1
EVORA
MORNING
EVORA ROMAN TEMPLE AND CATHEDRAL
The Roman Temple of Evora is the most extraordinary ancient monument in Portugal, its remarkable 14 Corinthian columns from the 1st century AD giving the finest Roman heritage in the country. The Se Cathedral of Evora, the finest Gothic cathedral in Portugal dating from 1186, contains the remarkable treasury with the finest religious art in southern Portugal. Cathedral entry approx 4 euros. Drive: Walk
MIDDAY
BONE CHAPEL AND OLD TOWN
The Bone Chapel of St Francis is the most extraordinary heritage site in Portugal, its remarkable walls and ceiling built from the bones of 5,000 monks giving the most unusual artistic statement in the country. The extraordinary inscription We bones that are here await yours gives the most profound experience in the Alentejo. The medieval old town within the Roman walls is the finest in southern Portugal. Entry approx 5 euros. Drive: Walk
AFTERNOON
EVORA CITY WALLS AND PRACA DO GIRALDO
The Evora city walls enclose the entire UNESCO historic centre in the finest medieval fortification in the Alentejo. The extraordinary Praca do Giraldo with its remarkable 16th-century fountain and the Igreja de Santo Antao gives the finest town square in southern Portugal. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Jardim de Diana behind the Roman Temple is the finest hidden garden in southern Portugal, its remarkable terrace giving extraordinary views over the Alentejo plains from the most atmospheric corner of the UNESCO city. Almost entirely unvisited by tourists. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Praca do Giraldo Outstanding Portuguese coffee on the finest square in the Alentejo. | Lunch: Tasca in Evora Outstanding Alentejan lunch with migas, pork and excellent Alentejo red wine. | Dinner: Restaurant in Evora Outstanding Alentejan dinner in the finest medieval town in southern Portugal.
DAY 2
MEGALITHIC AND MONSARAZ
MORNING
ALMENDRES MEGALITHIC CROMLECH
The Almendres Cromlech is the most extraordinary megalithic monument in Iberia, its remarkable oval of 95 granite menhirs from 6000 BC giving the oldest stone circle in Europe. The extraordinary astronomical alignment and the remarkable solitary menhir above the site give the finest megalithic experience in Portugal. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
ANTA GRANDE DO ZAMBUJEIRO
The Anta Grande do Zambujeiro is the most extraordinary dolmen in Portugal, its remarkable burial chamber of enormous granite slabs from 4000 BC giving the largest megalithic monument in Iberia. The extraordinary 100-tonne capstone and the remarkable hidden field location give the finest megalithic heritage in the Alentejo. Free. Drive: 1 hr drive
AFTERNOON
MONSARAZ HILLTOP VILLAGE
Monsaraz is the most extraordinary hilltop village in the Alentejo, its remarkable medieval fortification above the Alqueva reservoir, the largest artificial lake in Europe, giving the finest village views in southern Portugal. The extraordinary castle and the remarkable whitewashed streets give the finest medieval village atmosphere in the Alentejo. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Menhir dos Almendres, the solitary standing stone above the cromlech, is the finest single prehistoric monument in Portugal, its remarkable carved astronomical symbols giving the most extraordinary prehistoric art in the Alentejo. Free. 10-minute walk uphill from the cromlech.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before megalithic drive Early start for Almendres. The stone circle in morning mist before other visitors is extraordinary. | Lunch: Tasca near Monsaraz Outstanding Alentejan lunch with local cheese, cured meats and Alentejo wine. | Dinner: Restaurant in Evora Outstanding Alentejan dinner in the UNESCO city.
DAY 3
WINE AND MARBLE
MORNING
ALENTEJO WINE ESTATE
The Alentejo wine region produces the most extraordinary red wines in Portugal, the remarkable extreme heat and schist soils giving wines of extraordinary concentration. Herdade do Esporao or Herdade dos Grous offer the finest estate tours and tastings in the region. Tastings approx 10 to 20 euros. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
ESTREMOZ MARBLE TOWN
Estremoz is the most extraordinary marble town in Portugal, its remarkable upper town of white marble buildings, the finest marble castle in the Alentejo and the remarkable Saturday market giving the finest market town experience in southern Portugal. The extraordinary Museu Municipal houses the finest collection of Alentejan painted clay figurines. Museum entry approx 2 euros. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
VILA VICOSA DUCAL PALACE
Vila Vicosa is the most extraordinary marble palace town in Portugal, its remarkable Ducal Palace of the Braganza dynasty, the finest royal palace in the Alentejo, housing an extraordinary collection of royal portraits, furniture and coaches. The remarkable marble main square, entirely paved in the finest local white marble, is the most extraordinary public space in the Alentejo. Entry approx 7 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Cromeleque do Vale Maria do Meio near Evora is the finest hidden megalithic monument in the Alentejo, its remarkable stone circle in a private cork oak estate giving the most atmospheric megalithic experience in the region. Visits by arrangement. Approx 5 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before wine estate Early start for the wine estate. The Alentejo vineyards are extraordinary in the morning light. | Lunch: Winery restaurant Outstanding Alentejan lunch at the estate with local produce and the finest regional wines. | Dinner: Restaurant in Estremoz or Vila Vicosa Outstanding Alentejan dinner in the finest marble towns in Portugal.
DAY 4
MARVAO AND SERRA
MORNING
MARVAO HILLTOP CITADEL
Marvao is the most extraordinary hilltop citadel village in Portugal, its remarkable 13th-century castle perched on a granite spur at 862 metres above sea level giving the most extraordinary views in the Alentejo over the Serra de Sao Mamede and the Spanish border. The extraordinary walled village within the castle walls, entirely whitewashed with remarkable flower-filled balconies, is the finest hilltop village in Portugal. Castle entry approx 2 euros. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
SERRA DE SAO MAMEDE NATURAL PARK
The Serra de Sao Mamede is the most extraordinary mountain landscape in the Alentejo, its remarkable granite peaks and extraordinary biodiversity giving the finest natural park in southern Portugal. The remarkable village of Castelo de Vide on the eastern slope, with its extraordinary Jewish quarter, the finest surviving medieval Jewish heritage in Portugal, and its remarkable castle give the finest village in the Serra. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
CASTELO DE VIDE AND THE JEWISH QUARTER
Castelo de Vide is the most extraordinary village in the Serra de Sao Mamede, its remarkable Jewish quarter of medieval stone houses with the finest surviving medieval synagogue in Portugal giving the most important Jewish heritage in the country. The extraordinary castle above the village and the remarkable marble fountain of the old town give the finest heritage village in the Alentejo. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary viewpoint of Nossa Senhora da Penha above Castelo de Vide is the finest hidden viewpoint in the Serra de Sao Mamede, its remarkable chapel on the granite summit giving extraordinary views over the entire northern Alentejo and the Spanish meseta beyond. Free. 20-minute walk from Castelo de Vide.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early cafe in Marvao village Outstanding coffee in the most extraordinary hilltop village in Portugal. Arrive early before the day trips. | Lunch: Restaurant in Marvao Outstanding Alentejan mountain lunch in the finest hilltop village in Portugal with extraordinary Spanish border views. | Dinner: Restaurant in Castelo de Vide Outstanding Alentejan dinner in the extraordinary village with the finest Jewish heritage in Portugal.
DAY 5
PORTALEGRE AND RETURN
MORNING
PORTALEGRE CATHEDRAL AND TAPESTRY MUSEUM
Portalegre is the most extraordinary cathedral city in the northern Alentejo, its remarkable 16th-century cathedral, the finest Renaissance building in the Alentejo, and the extraordinary Guy Fino Tapestry Museum, housing the finest collection of Portalegre handmade tapestries in the world, giving the finest combined heritage in northern Portugal. The remarkable old town of 16th-century mansions is extraordinary. Entry approx 3 euros. Drive: 1.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
AVIS AND THE ALENTEJO PLAINS
Avis is the most extraordinary medieval castle village in central Alentejo, its remarkable castle above the Maranhao reservoir giving the finest views over the extraordinary cork oak and olive plain landscape. The remarkable headquarters of the Order of Avis, the medieval military order that shaped the Portuguese monarchy, is the most significant historical site in central Alentejo. Free. Drive: 1.5 hr drive to Lisbon
AFTERNOON
RETURN THROUGH THE CORK OAK PLAINS
driving The return drive to Lisbon through the extraordinary central Alentejo passes through the finest cork oak dehesa landscape in Europe, the remarkable ancient trees stripped of their bark on a nine-year cycle giving the most extraordinary agricultural landscape in Iberia. The remarkable villages of Coruche and Benavente on the Tagus plain give the finest farewell to the most extraordinary rural region in Portugal. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Flor da Rosa monastery near Crato is the finest hidden medieval monastery in the Alentejo, its remarkable 14th-century fortified convent of the Knights Hospitallers now a remarkable pousada hotel. The extraordinary rose garden and medieval church are free to visit.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast in Marvao or Castelo de Vide Early start for Portalegre. The northern Alentejo is extraordinary in the morning light. | Lunch: Restaurant in Avis Outstanding Alentejan lunch in the extraordinary castle village above the Maranhao reservoir. | Dinner: Farewell dinner en route or in Lisbon Outstanding final Alentejan dinner or arrival dinner in Lisbon.
Where To Stay
Evora, Nights 1 to 2 Best base for the south and centre. Hotels from 70 to 160 euros inside the walls. Walking distance from all Evora sites. Marvao, Nights 3 to 4 The most extraordinary accommodation in Portugal. Small guesthouses from 70 to 150 euros inside the castle walls. Budget option Guesthouses in Evora from 40 euros. Excellent base for the first two days of the itinerary.
Top Tips
1. The Almendres Cromlech at sunrise is the finest experience in the Alentejo. The oldest stone circle in Europe at dawn, entirely alone, is extraordinary.
2. Monsaraz at sunset: the views over the Alqueva lake turn golden at dusk. The Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve makes the night sky above the village extraordinary.
3. Marvao village is the finest place in Portugal to wake up. The 6am light over the Serra de Sao Mamede from the castle walls is the finest view in the Alentejo.
4. Castelo de Vide Jewish quarter: the medieval synagogue is the oldest surviving in Portugal. The stone mezuzah groove in the doorframe is still visible.
5. Alentejo wine tastings at the quintas: Esporao and Herdade dos Grous both offer extraordinary estate experiences. Book ahead in harvest season (September).
6. The cork oak harvest between June and August is the finest rural spectacle in Portugal. Ask the estate workers if you can watch the bark being stripped by hand.
Total Budget
70 to 140 euros/day