Lusso Travel Ltd, No. 1 Glasshouse - 1LG1,
Alderley Park, Alderley Edge, Cheshire, SK10 4TG
Just north of the Algarve, the Alentejo covers a third of Portugal’s territory yet remains a relatively well-kept secret. This is Portugal’s garden, the bulk of the region given over to huge cork plantations, wheat fields and vineyards.
Portugal’s vast, sun-drenched southern-central region, known for its tranquil, rural landscapes of cork forests, olive groves, wheat fields, sun flowers and vineyards.
Discover Roman settlements, Moorish influences, medieval castles and the fortified towns of Marvão, Monsaraz and Elvas, the latter honoured by UNESCO.
Don’t miss the regional capital Évora, whose treasures include a striking Gothic cathedral and the 15th-century Church of the Lóios, famous for its hand-painted blue-and-white tiles.
Savour the wines of the Alentejo, including rich, full-bodied reds and fresh whites, made from native grapes like Aragonez, Trincadeira and Antão Vaz.
Head to the Atlantic coast to experience the rugged, protected beaches of the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park.
Change happens slowly in the Alentejo. Farms here have passed from generation to generation since the time of the Romans. Where things have changed, it’s been done with consideration and a deep respect for the land and local culture. A number of working farms, for example, have been beautifully transformed into luxury hotels with wineries attached, providing a wonderful introduction to the Alentejo landscape.
Beja, in the lower Alentejo, is well worth visiting for its Roman ruins and impressive Moorish castle. Other notable attractions in the area include Serpa, a typical Alentejo market town inhabited since Celtic times; the village of Pias, renowned for its vineyards; and the former spa town of Moura, a surprisingly opulent place full of grand mansions, pretty squares and pedestrianised shopping streets. The region’s two UNESCO-listed towns, Évora and Elvas, are further north, as is the picturesque hilltop village of Monsaraz, which overlooks the Guadiana River and the Spanish border.