ALENTEJO TOURISM GUIDE
Whitewashed marble towns and medieval villages
FIND ALENTEJO HOTELS »
Alentejo is Portugal's most memorable province to visit. It is also its largest, occupying almost one third of the country,
but with the lowest percentage of population of any Portuguese region. For the most part it is a peaceful region consisting of vast wheat
fields, rolling plains, castles, and whitewashed
villages, all seen on the way to Evora, an ancient World Heritage city that should not be missed by any traveler to Portugal.
In between is a rich legacy of early civilization, with a series of megaliths, stone circles, and dolmens.
To the northeast are the "marble towns" of Estremoz
and Vila
Viçosa, where local marble is used in the construction of fabulous façades, and close to the border are many heavily fortified towns and villages, such as Monsaraz, Marvão, and Elvas.
FIND ALENTEJO HOTELS »
Top 5 Alentejo EXPERIENCES
1. Wandering around the World Heritage City of Evora.
2. Feeling like royalty at a pousada in Estremoz,
Crato,
or Arraiolos.
3. Losing sense of time in the white medieval villages of Monsaraz or
Marvão.
4. Admiring marble extravagance in Vila
Viçosa and Estremoz.
5. Traveling back to prehistory among stone circles, dolmens, and
menhirs around Evora.
PLACES in Alentejo
Evora -
A museum-town; a Roman temple; prehistoric sites
Vila
Viçosa - Marble extravagance; a royal retreat
Estremoz
- A legendary miracle; a luxury pousada
Monsaraz
- A white town; a magical medieval atmosphere
Marvão
- White walled town reaching the sky
Castelo
de Vide - A Jewish enclave; medieval charm
Elvas -
Impressive military fortifications; a monumental aqueduct
Beja - A
famous 17th century love affair; a lavish old convent
Mértola
- Islam meets Christianity
|
|
|
AROUND LISBON
AND TAGUS VALLEY Alcobaça Arrábida Azeitão Batalha Cascais Ericeira Estoril Fatima Leiria Mafra Nazaré Obidos Palmela Peniche Queluz Santarém Sesimbra Setubal Sintra Tomar |
ALENTEJO
Beja Castelo de Vide Elvas Estremoz Evora Marvão Mértola Monsaraz Vila Viçosa ALGARVE Albufeira Faro Lagos Sagres Silves Tavira Vila Real de Santo António Vilamoura |
BEIRAS (CENTRAL PORTUGAL)
Aveiro Belmonte Buçaco Coimbra Conimbriga Figueira da Foz Guarda Monsanto Piodão Serra da Estrela Viseu PORTO AND DOURO Amarante Lamego Porto |
MINHO
Barcelos Braga Gerês National Park Guimarães Ponte de Lima Ponte da Barca Viana do Castelo TRAS-OS-MONTES Bragança Chaves Vila Real THE ISLANDS Azores Madeira |