Estremoz is the largest of the Alentejo's
"marble towns."
The old, upper part of town is crowned by a castle founded in 1258,
now converted into one of Portugal's best pousadas, the residence of
King Dinis and his wife Queen Saint Isabel in the early 14th century.
Visitors don't have to stay at the pousada to take a look around the
room in which she died, which has been converted into a small chapel adorned
with tiles and paintings depicting scenes from her life and the story of the "Miracle of the Roses" -- the king disapproved of her giving alms to the poor,
so Isabel hid the bread she was carrying for them in the folds of her skirt.
When the suspicious king asked her to show him what she was carrying, the
bread had miraculously turned into roses.
A marble statue of the queen now stands on the castle terrace. It is worth
visiting the wonderful 13th century keep, also entered via the
pousada, where there's a breathtaking view of the town and the plains
beyond from the top platform.
Opposite the keep is the Municipal Museum with a collection of local
pottery and religious works of art.
In the lower town is Rossio Marquês de Pombal, the large unpaved main
square which is a marketplace of huge dimensions surrounded by marble
façades of churches, cafes, and the Rural Museum that displays
locally-produced artifacts. The Saturday market that takes place here (one
of Portugal's biggest) is known for its local earthenware pottery and
cheese.
Buses arrive daily from Evora,
including express services that take about one hour, so the town can be
visited on a daytrip, but a stay in the luxurious pousada is highly
recommended as one of Portugal's most memorable experiences.
Another highly-recommended pousada is in ARRAIOLOS, southwest
of Estremoz.
It is a town overlooked by the ruins of a Moorish castle that actually dates
back to Celtic times, but it's mostly famous for its carpets that originated
with the Moors and were later inspired by Persian and Indian designs during
the Age of Discovery. Many of them now cover Portugal's most famous houses
and palaces, and although they are sold throughout the country, the biggest
bargains are found in many of Arraiolos' shops. The pousada is in a
16th-century convent that is extraordinary for combining historic and modern
design.
Book your room for free (no booking fees) and pay later at the hotel:
HOTELS SEARCHCentral, stylishly furnished, and cheaper than many hotels:
APARTMENTS SEARCHStylish, award-winning budget accommodation in the city center:
HOSTELS SEARCHSkip the long lines for taxis or the hassle of navigating public transportation when you arrive at the airport, and go straight to your hotel:
AIRPORT TRANSFERSGo on a day trip or on an organized tour around Lisbon:
TOURS & TICKETS SEARCHPlanning to travel around Portugal? Save time and look for the best deals here:
CAR RENTAL SEARCHSave time and money: Get FREE or reduced admission to most of Lisbon's attractions and ride the city's metro, buses, and trams for free with the Lisboa Card:
ORDER YOUR CARDJoin GoLisbon on Facebook for regular updates on what's happening in the city:
GOLISBON FACEBOOK