Discover the Alentejo PO19
Circular tour of Portugal's Alentejo region
Based on 11 nights self-drive independent tour in Portugal
Discover the delights of Portugal’s alluring Alentejo: a land of wine and bread, of simplicity, tradition, light and colour – vast golden plains, olive groves, vines and cork forests, gently rolling hillsides and serras and a spectacular rugged coastline with pristine Altlantic beaches.
Authentic, whitewashed villages, exquisite Moorish neighbourhoods, dazzling white marble towns, astonishing medieval cities, imposing hilltop fortresses, Palaeolithic carvings and megaliths, Roman ruins and fortifications.. Culture, art and history from north to south, east to west – the Alentejo has it all!
Rich in local handicrafts from pottery to tapestries, colourful country markets, delicious, traditional cuisine and excellent, regional wines, the magnificent birdsong at dawn and at dusk, will leave you entranced! And the proud, yet warm and welcoming people will quickly win your hearts.
- Tour Highlights:
- Vibrant, historic Lisboa and monumental Sintra
- Vila Nova de Milfontes on the dramatic Costa Vicentina
- Moura with its well preserved Moorish quarter
- Historic Evora and the glittering marble towns
- World class wines and gastronomy to match
- Immense Alqueva reservoir, Europe’s largest
- Fascinating medieval towns of Beja, Mertola and Serpa
- Stunning hilltop fortress towns of Monsaraz, Marvao and Castelo de Vide
£1275 p/p
* Indicative mid-season price for 11 nights (including car hire – flights not included).
Day 1 & 2 Lisboa and around
- Hop a tram and explore Portugal’s exciting capital
- Rossio square and train station
- Skip out to Sintra, and the beaches of Cascais & Aldeia do Meco
- Bar hop in Bairro Alto, dine in style in Chiado
- Mosteiro dos Jerónimos – a Manueline delight
Days 3 to 5 - Costa Vicentina
- Go beach-hopping - Almograve, Malhao, Zambujeira
- Hike along or cycle the Rota Vicentina 'Fishermans Way'
- Visit the picturesque seaside town village of Vila Nova de Milfontes
- Locally caught fish & seafood - and delicious bread!
- Explore the National Park of Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina
- Surf, kayak, dive or just relax in and around the estuary
Days 6 & 7 - Baixo Alentejo
- Moura, its Moorish quarter, ancient castle, delightful gardens and olive oil museum..
- Beja, capital of the Baixo Alentejo at the heart of the Golden Plain on the map since the Iron Age
- Medieval Mertola, set high above the Rio Guadiana, an 'open-air museum'
- Serpa, famed for its sheep's cheese and its locals' love of food!
- Mourao and the immense Alqueva reservoir
- Feast at friendly, family run restaurants
Day 8 & 9 - Alentejo Central, Évora
- World Heritage Évora, Roman ruins, medieval walls
- Alentejo wines, Portugal’s finest
- Hilltop fortress town of Monsaraz and nearby wine centre Reguengos
- Pottery towns among the vines El Corval and Redondo
- “Marble towns” of Borba, Vila Viçosa and Estremoz
- World Heritage Elvas with its magnificent Roman aqueduct
Days 10 & 11 - Alto Alentejo, Serra de San Mamede
- Hilltop fortress towns of Marvao and Castelo Vide
- "Cidade de Ammaia" Roman museum
- Ancient megaliths Including the oldest in the Peninsula
- Portalegre, with its faded baroque mansions, cathedral, castle and fantastic tapestry factory
- Wonderful walking trails with ancient churches, fountains, megaliths and dolmens.
The itinerary includes the following:
- Accommodation in our listed hotels – 2 sharing 1 std. double ensuite, B&B
- Economy 4dr car hire
- Regional guide book
- Personal Travel App including highlights, weather forecast and restaurant suggestions for all areas en-route
- Instructions to find all accommodation
Not included:
- Flights – but we are able to advise
- One-way car hire charges, where applicable (see your quote email)
- The following car hire extras – these can be added at pick-up point
- extra driver
- Portuguese toll device (we highly recommend to take this service)
- child seats
- GPS
- Garage parking where applicable (mostly city stops) – please ask us about parking charges
Getting there
Fly directly to Lisboa / Lisbon and hire a car – the best options are:
From London Gatwick: Easyjet, British Airways or TAP Portugal
From London Stansted: Ryanair
From London Heathrow: British Airways or TAP Portugal
From Luton: Easyjet or wizzair
From Edinburgh: Easyjet or Ryanair
From Manchester: Ryanair, Easyjet or TAP Portugal
From Bristol: Easyjet
From Dublin: Ryanair, TAP or Aer Lingus
Or fly directly to Porto / Oporto and hire a car – the best options are:
From London Gatwick: TAP Portugal or Easyjet
From London Stansted: Ryanair
From Liverpool: Ryanair
From Manchester: Easyjet, TAP or Ryanair
From Birmingham: Ryanair
From Luton: Easyjet
From Bristol: Easyjet
From Dublin: Ryanair and TAP
PLEASE NOTE some flights are seasonal.
NB: Flights are not included
Getting around
As part of your package we will include a hire car. Normally we include a 4 door economy class car but please let us know if you would like something different.
Discover the Alentejo
