Place of settlement of Neolithic man. There, 7,000 years ago, it stopped hunting following the migrations of its prey and made its home under the Tagus. Erecting stone monuments, the Crómlech de los Almendros is the most famous; it left its mark on history. The Romans later occupied a territory whose legacy still lives on. The Arabs did not want to be less and stayed here for several centuries, leaving their traditions behind.
The vestiges of the Middle Ages are also notable. Palaces, convents, and churches complete the journey through the history of Alentejo through its millenary cultural legacy.
The local products are a must in the gastronomy of Alentejo. Iberian pork and game meat are cooked with cockles or clams to make a mixture of sea and mountain. Their varieties of sheep and goat cheese are fabulous. Thanks to its olive trees, it’s also a land of olives and soft olive oil. The menu closes with a sweet dessert made in convent confectioneries.
Taste the Alentejo designation of white and red origin wines in organized wine tastings in the vineyards. It is a winemaking tradition that began in Roman times and is still strong today. A secret region that is now starting to come to light.
From surfing on its beaches to a cruise on the Sado River, with wine tasting, dinner, and dolphin watching. Observe the region from a bird’s eye view from a hot air balloon or enjoy a multicolored sunset facing the Atlantic in the Southwest Alentejo Natural Park.
You can Stargaze at Lake Alqueva, a Starlight Tourism Destination, or walk a stage of the Vicentina Route, with 450 km of trails that run through the interior and the Vicentina coast. You can also enjoy the fauna of the Tagus estuary. Flocks of flamingos are common. Come and look for the Iberian imperial eagles and the black vulture.
Starry Sky
Cantiga Alentejana
Açorda Soup
Clay Crafts
Aromatic Herbs
Late spring and early fall are the ideal times to visit Alentejo if you want to avoid the central summer months. You will find a temperate climate and a slight bustle of tourism. In February, you will see the almond trees blossom and the storks nest on the cliffs in May.
If you come by plane you have the option of flying to Lisbon, Beja and Faro, depending on the part of Alentejo you want to visit. It also has a port and, of course, road and train connections with the rest of Europe through Spain. A unique destination at your fingertips.
