Alentejo Car Hire

Guide to Alentejo

From rambling Roman ruins to charming castellated Moorish towns and wild windswept beaches to captivating cities, Alentejo covers a spectrum of delights that stimulate all the senses. There’s something here to satisfy history buffs, culture vultures, gastronomical globetrotters and outdoors obsessives alike.

History & heritage

Alentejo has a fascinating history that stretches back thousands of years and this unique heritage tattooed across its landscape, architecture and monuments has been recognised by UNESCO as globally significant. Évora is blessed with an embarrassment of historical riches, including a fine Roman temple, Casias Pintedas (Painted Houses), cathedral, 16^th Century university, Cadaval Palace, and splendorous Praça do Giraldo square. The entire city is classed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and in between wandering through spectacular sites you can pop into its many museums to top up your knowledge even further. Meanwhile, Elvas is a dramatic fortified hilltop settlement where winding cobbled streets cascade down to a bijou cathedral at the top of a scenic square. The 17^th Century star shaped fortifications have a perimeter of 10km and are the world’s largest and the architectural attractions don’t stop there because there’s also a castle and the amazing 7km long Amoreira aqueduct. Walking along the ramparts and gazing over the view below, history twists and turns before you like leaves fluttering down across the hills and valleys.

Culture

Culture in Alentejo is rich, distinctive and delightful. Cante Alentejano is a traditional a cappella two-part singing style originally performed by rural workers, with wonderful melodies you’ll remember long after you hear it. Another tuneful Alentejo icon is the metal chocalho cowbell, which has a characteristic sound that’s echoed here for some 2000 years, and you’ll probably want to pick one up as a souvenir. Meanwhile, Estremoz municipality is notable for its charming clay figures which depict folklore and famous characters of the region and are intricately crafted and painted. Another UNESCO-recognised is the Royal Falconry practiced at Salvaterra de Magos, where you’re whisked back in time as these regal raptors swoop around the awe-inspiring ancient architecture in perfect harmony with their skilled handlers.

Great outdoors

Alentejo is blessed by a number of picturesque parks and nature reserves, so if you’re a fan of the great outdoors, you’re spoiled for choice. For instance, the Reserva Natural do Estuário do Sado in Alcácer do Sal (Sado Estuary Nature Reserve) is a wonderful wetlands area which is a real twitcher’s paradise with over 250 species of birds, and if you take a Rio Sado boat trip, you’ll also see dolphins playing alongside your vessel. Alternatively, Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina (Southwest Alentejo and Costs Vicentia Natural park) in Odemira is a perfectly protected 100km coastline that stretches from Porto Covo in Alentejo to Burgau in the Algarve and contains lots of unique flora and fauna, such as fishing eagles, white storks and otters, while its sweeping windswept beaches and sheer cliffs are hotspots for hikers, surfers and sunbathers.

Things to do in Alentejo

Whether you want to get up close and personal with wonderful wildlife, sample fine wine amidst awesome scenery or marvel at ancient megaliths, Alentejo has something excellent to offer every visitor.

Ecotourism

42 km southwest of the city of Beja, in Baixa Alentejo, you’ll find the glistening whitewashed town of Castro Verde set amidst verdant rolling countryside. It’s a hotbed of history which was the site of the Battle of Ourique in 1139 and there’s ample archaeological evidence of settlement by the Romans, as well as the presence of Celts and Phoenicians. However, today it’s best known as a world-class centre for Ecotourism and if you’re an avid bird-watcher you’ll be in avian seventh heaven here. The sprawling golden plains around this area are known as the Campo Branco (‘white field’) because of the bleached tone they display in the height of summer and they’re a special protection zone where anyone with eagle eyes (and good binoculars!) can see exotic species like the black-bellied sandgrouse and stone curlew, cranes that fly in from northern Europe for their summer holidays, impressive raptors like kestrels and the magnificent great bustard, which is an icon of Castro Verde and Europe’s largest flying bird ̶ it can reach a whopping 16kg and if you’re here at the end of Spring you might be lucky enough to see the male unveil his kaleidoscopic feathers in an elaborate mating dance. Last but not least, in the streams and wetlands you’ll find superb aquatic species like the gadwall and the great crested grebe. The Vale Gonçalinho Environmental Centre is a capable caretaker for the area and has created several trails where you can maximise your exposure to certain bird species, but it’s also possible to hire a professional local guide who can take you directly to the heart of the action.

Fine wine

If you’re fond of a vino or three (and you’ve got a designated driver) you’ll be glad to know that the Alentejo region boasts some of the world’s best wines and the sun-kissed climate and nutrient-rich soils are the perfect seedbeds for fruitful vineyards that produce grape varieties ideal for creating intense, full-bodied and smooth red wines and fresh, fruity, sublime scented white wines. You’ll find excellent producers all over the region, so touring the wine route is a must ̶ as well as the exquisite Alentejo regional wine, there are lush local varieties to sample at the source in Borba, Portalegre, Redondo, Reguengos, Vidigueira, Moura and Évora. Top-rated vineyards here include Convento Cartuxa at Évora and Herdade dos Grous, but there are many more. As well as sampling terrific wine and taking in beautiful scenery, this is the perfect opportunity to pick up a few bottles as presents ̶ if you can bear parting with them!

Standing stones

The Cromlech of the Almendres is a megalithic standing stone circle that’s two thousand years older than Stonehenge and it’s located 15km west of Évora in a bucolic cork forest. There are 90 massive granite stones here which jut skywards in a horseshoe arrangement which experts believe was most probably originally a circle. Some stones are broad and bulbous while others are slightly narrower and needle-like, and several feature carvings of tools like shepherd’s crooks. Set on the eastern side of the hill, it’s illuminated each morning by the rising sun and its formation is also perfectly aligned with the vernal and autumnal equinoxes. Almendres was constructed around 5000BC at the point when the local society was shifting from its hunter-gatherer roots to agricultural subsistence and the Dolmen of Zambujero, an ancient rock burial site which probably secreted the remains of the rulers of the settlement here, is also nearby ̶ the 15 bodies which were discovered here each wore slate breastplates which had unique geometric patterns which might indicate their various roles in the societal hierarchy.

It’s evident that you’ll never be bored in Alentejo ̶ in fact it’s likely you’ll want to return for a second trip to see all the absorbing sights here.

Eating out in Alentejo

From Michelin-starred dining in vibrant vineyards to scenic restaurants serving fresh local fare and family-run emporiums that champion authentic local culinary traditions, foodies visiting Alentejo are in for a real taste bud-tingling treat!

Wine and dine

If you love haute cuisine and fine wine, make a beeline for L’And Vineyards Resort in Montemor-o-novo, a Michelin-starred eatery 30km west of Évora where talented chef Miguel Laffan holds fort. The cuisine is a contemporary twist on Portuguese classics and focuses on sumptuous dishes using the freshest local ingredients from land and sea, including locally-raised beef, fish and shellfish from Setubal Port, cheeses from local artisan producers and citrus fruits from neighbouring groves. Starters like salmon with fennel and cuttlefish ink set the scene perfectly and are complemented by mains like tender lamb with rosemary and lemon, and divine desserts like apple pie with mascarpone and cocoa add a final creative flourish. This being a vineyard, it goes without saying that the wine list is exceptional, and the prices are reasonable given the refined quality ̶ main courses are €23-€30.

Reservoir hogs

Taverna Os Templários in Monsaraz is a cosy family restaurant close to the Spanish border which has a beautiful sunny terrace with panoramic views across the gargantuan Alqueva Reservoir. The speciality here is black pig, which is complemented perfectly with a rich red wine, but the lamb and octopus are also outstanding and the traditional local almond cake is a dessert to die for! Prices are reasonable with a three-course meal priced at around €25-€30.

Local legend

Highly-rated in TripAdvisor, Restaurante Fialho in Évora is another amazing family-run emporium with rustic wooden ceiling beams, terracotta tiled floors and an extensive collection of stag antlers on the walls. The cod (bacalhau) is recommended and there’s also a delicious purslane soup as well as a hearty and lip-smacking favada real de caça bean stew, which is a traditional favourite in these parts. Standards are impeccable and there’s always a lovely ambience with locals and visitors adding to the convivial atmos. A three course meal costs around €30-€35.

As you can see, there are enough culinary delights in Alentejo to satisfy even the most demanding foodie, so treat yourself and tuck in ̶ put your diet on pause for the duration!

Transport in Alentejo

Airports

The nearest airports to Alentejo are Faro (FAO) and Lisbon, which are 170km and 186km away respectively. Enjoy Travel partners with major local, regional and international car hire providers at these air hubs to provide you with a wide choice of cars for exploring the region.

Trains and buses

Bus services are fairly reliable between larger towns and villages but much less frequent (and sometimes non-existent) at weekends. All buses in Castelo de Vide stop at Praça Valéncia de Alcántra and there’s a bus to Portalegre in the morning and afternoon, the bus station in Beja is close to the historic town centre and operates services to regional areas, and the Elvas bus station is 800m outside the city walls on the road to Spain ̶ walk or hop in a taxi to get there.

There are three to four daily trains from Évora station to Lisbon and a regular service to Beja, while the train station in Portalegre is 12km south of the town centre but there’s a free shuttle bus to take you there.

Driving tips

Drive on the right-hand side of the road in Alentejo and everywhere else in Portugal. The speed limits are 120 km/h for the motorway, 100 km/h (60 mph) on expressways, 90 km/h (50mph) for other roads and 50 km/h (30 mph) in busy built-up areas.

Alentejo is ripe for exploration by car ̶ here are just a couple of recommended road trips:

If you’re based in Évora, coastal Comporta is around an hour away to the southwest along the E90 and N253 and the fine sand beaches and rustic wooden port are charming. This seaside settlement is part of Alentejo’s Fish Route and if you’re partial to seafood then stop at A Escloa just out of town to sample freshly-caught fare before you return home.

Sines is around an hour and a half from Évora on the E90 and E01 (with a toll en route) and this stunning coastal town has one of the most bustling fishing markets in the entire region. The scenery and fresh salt air are invigorating and if you’re here early in the morning it’s fascinating to watch the fishing vessels returning from a hard night’s work and landing their catch.