I recently returned from an 10 day road trip around Alentejo, Portugal. I drove 1500km around Portugal’s largest region in search of hidden villages, stunning views and unforgettable experiences. Alentejo delivered. I found all of the above and so, so much more. Alentejo turned out to be one of the best trips I have ever experienced and so I had to share my epic 10 day itinerary with you. Here are some other memorable road trips to take in Portugal.
On this particular Alentejo trip I stuck to the interior so you won’t see any coastal areas such as Porto Covo and Vila Nova de Milfontes in this itinerary.
*Some links included in this guide are affiliate links. This means if you click through one of these links and make a purchase I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you find my content useful or inspiring please consider using these links.
WHY VISIT ALENTEJO?
Alentejo is Portugal’s largest yet most undiscovered region. You only have to hop over the border from Lisbon or Algarve to experience the warmth and character of Alentejo. To me Alentejo represents the ‘real’ Portugal and there is plenty of culture to soak up. The region is vast and the landscape changes constantly from north to south. Travel from top to bottom and you can expect mountains and valleys, vineyards and sunflower fields, medieval castles and a wild coastline.
Discover Slow Tourism in Baixo Alentejo
I have always loved living in Portugal but it wasn’t until my return from Alentejo that I really fell in love. Spending 10 days getting to know Alentejo left me with a bigger understanding and appreciation for Portugal than ever before.
If you want to find out more in-depth information about the Alentejo region don’t forget to visit the Visit Alentejo website.
WHERE IS ALENTEJO?
The Alentejo is the largest region in Portugal which is located on the Iberian peninsula. It is bordered by the Algarve, Lisbon and Central regions and despite being the largest region in the country it attracts the lowest number of visitors in mainland Portugal.
Sadly Alentejo slips under most people’s radar when they visit Portugal. Most people choose to spend their time in Algarve, Lisbon or Porto but I’m here to prove why Alentejo deserves just as much (or even more) attention that these longtime favourite destinations.
HOW TO GET TO ALENTEJO?
The region is easily accessible from all of Portugal’s major airports (Lisbon, Porto and Faro). Which one you choose will depend on how long you have in the region and what itinerary you are planning to take.
Although most towns and villages are accessible by train or (more likely) bus the best way to ensure you get the most out of Alentejo is by hiring a car. Having a car ill give you more freedom and flexibility with your itinerary but cruising around in your own four wheels (in my humble opinion) is the best way to experience Alentejo.
I used Zest to book a hire car for my Alentejo adventure and the experience was stress-free from start to finish.
BEST 10 DAY ITINERARY FOR ALENTEJO
I spent 10 days exploring Alentejo and was able to experience the region fully. Of course there is still plenty more I want to see but this 10 day itinerary will show you the absolute best the region has to offer. I spent weeks of research making sure my itinerary included the perfect mix of medieval hilltop towns, castles, vineyards, cute villages and unforgettable experiences. There will always be more to discover but this 10 day itinerary will allow you to really get beneath the surface of the Alentejo.
This itinerary is the exact route I took around the Alentejo and includes overnight stays and day trips. I have included links for accommodation options in each place. I pride myself on only sharing personal recommendations – these are places I actually stayed during my trip to Alentejo.
Make sure you check out these 5 UNIQUE PLACES TO STAY IN ALENTEJO.
I drove from Algarve and returned to Algarve. If you are driving from Lisbon or Porto you can switch the itinerary around easily enough. If you only have a short amount of time I recommend basing yourself in central Alentejo and making day trips from Ėvora.
MÉRTOLA
This gem of a medieval village sits proudly on the Guadiana river just a whisper into the region. It is small enough to wander around in a day but if you have the time stay for a few nights and enjoy the picturesque streets without rushing. If you have extra time take a drive to one of the river beaches nearby.
STAY | Mértola Studios or for something more upmarket try Hotel Museu
EAT/ DRINK | Espaco Casa Amarela
EXPERIENCE | Dinner, wine and sunset at Espaco Casa Amarela on the other side of the river.
VILA VIÇOSA
I spent a few hours walking the beautiful streets of Vila Viçosa and loved the spotting the pretty tiles, choosing an alfresco cafe and browsing typical artisan products from the region. This would be a great stay over too! Check out Bookingcom for Vila Viçosa accommodation options.
SERRA DE SÃO MAMEDE NATURAL PARK
I didn’t even know this natural park existed until I stayed at a beautiful Quinta (Quinta da Dourada) just outside Portalegre. The natural park is a dream to drive around; quiet, winding (but not too winding) roads with seriously gorgeous views. You can also visit one of Alentejo’s highest points in São Mamede, this summit gets snow in the winter which is unimaginable when you visit in July! I highly recommend the drive from Quinta da Dourada to Castelo de Vide.
STAY | Quinta da Dourada
EAT/DRINK | At the Quinta. Contact the owner Nuno in advance and you’ll be able to enjoy delicious Portuguese home cooking during your stay.
EXPERIENCE | Driving through the Mamede Natural Park.
CASTELO DE VIDE
I only spent a matter of hours here but I can confidently tell you it as one of my favourite places I visited in Alentejo. Castelo de Vide feels lived in yet looks beautiful from top to bottom. People shout from windows and Fado music drifts in and out of houses. It is also the most ‘flowery’ place I saw on my trip. Every house was a piece of wild art!
MARVÃO
Another big favourite for me was experiencing Marvão. This hilltop village is picture perfect, so much so that it kind of feels like you are in a medieval theme park. It may look like it is geared up solely for tourists but there is still authenticity to be found when you peek around the corners. Don’t leave until you have walked the circumference of the castle walls
STAY | Maruan Heaven
EAT/DRINK | O Castelo
EXPERIENCE | Sunset from Marvão castle
REDONDO
The cutest village in central Alentejo you ever did see. White houses beam in the afternoon sunshine, olive groves stretch out from it’s borders and locals remain curious but friendly towards newcomers. Rendondo is also a DOC wine region and pottery centre. The town has a good selection of restaurants and bars and is well worth a stop overnight.
STAY | Casa Porfirios
EAT/DRINK | Choose a lively one in the main square.
EXPERIENCE | Drinking with the locals at an authentic snack bar. There is also a wine museum and plenty of vineyards close by!
ÉVORA
The capital of Alentejo and its most well-known asset. Évora is probably the busiest you’re going to get when it comes to Alentejo but with good reason. The city is steeped in history, full of authentic Alentejan cuisine and surrounded by some of the region’s best vineyards. I have to admit I didn’t get a chance to make the most of Évora but I will certainly be back to spend a few days enjoying the city buzz.
Évora | A Quick Guide
STAY | Quinta da Espada
EAT/DRINK | Quiosque Jardim Diana
EXPERIENCE | Capela dos Ossos (Chaple of bones). Enjoying tapas and cocktails with a view!
MONTE DA RAVESQUEIRA
I’m mentioning this as a must-stop experience on your Alentejo itinerary because Monte da Ravasqueira is one of the most alluring vineyards I have visited in Portugal to date. The experience also introduced me to my new go-to bottle of vinho branco. I have several chilling in my fridge as I write this. Book a tour, tasting or experience and you will be welcomed warmly, invited to sip on some award-winning wines and enjoy time soaking up sun-drenched vineyard views and the real beauty of Alentejo. Of course, Alentejo is not short on wine experiences and I fully encourage you to squeeze in a few if you can; but, if you only have time for one vineyard during your trip make it this one! Located only 5km from Arraiolos and 25km from Évora.
You can read more about my wine travels in Portugal here (coming soon).
ESTREMOZ
Estremoz sits nicely between Évora and Elvas and has an attractive buzz about it. It is obvious that this isn’t a tourist town but there are lots of cute streets and a pretty epic castle view to top it off. Estremoz also has plenty of vineyards within a short distance.
STAY | Find a great apartment in Estremoz on Bookingcom.
EAT/DRINK | Alcrim
EXPERIENCE | Take a stroll up to the old castle wall and take in the vineyard views.
MONSARAZ
Most people who already know about Alentejo will direct you to Monsaraz as a place to add to your itinerary and with good reason too. Monsaraz is pocket-sized and picturesque (almost to a fault) and a magical introduction to Alentejo. Tiny streets boast restaurants with panoramic views and little nooks host artisan shops filled with ceramics and honey.
STAY | Casa Tia Anica
EAT/DRINK | I ate in my apartment during my stay but I had several recommendations for Taverna Os Templários and Restaurante Bar Sem-Fim.
EXPERIENCE | Wandering the cobbled streets early morning.
VIDIGUEIRA
This town usually doesn’t make it on a typical Alentejo itinerary which is exactly why i wanted to visit. Vidigueira is actually a really important town for the history of wine in Portugal and its also delightful to explore by foot.
STAY | Casa Grainha
EAT/DRINK | Enjoy a cold beer at Casao Da Praça.
EXPERIENCE | Adega Cooperativa Vidigueira for a wine tour and unique Talha wine tasting.
Planning a trip to Portugal, Spain or Italy? I’m here to help.
If you want to plan the perfect trip but there are just too many options, I can help you make the most of your time. If you want a personalised travel itinerary, full to the brim with authentic experiences, I’ve got you…
So here ends my Alentejo itinerary! I hope this helps you capture at least a small picture of how wonderful this region is to explore. Stay tuned for a complete ‘’Alentejo travel guide’ and ‘unique places to stay guide’.
Don’t forget to check out my other Portugal experience based travel guides.
No Comments