Alentejo Holidays

Alentejo is Portugal’s slow-living superstar – where time stretches out like the vineyards, the food is hearty, and the sunsets are the stuff of legend.

Highlights

• 🍷 Wine country heaven – rolling vineyards, centuries-old cellars and local reds that pack a punch.

• 🌾 Traditional charm – whitewashed villages, hilltop castles and olive groves as far as the eye can see.

• 🏖️ Secret beaches – the Alentejo coast is quieter, wilder and just as stunning as the Algarve.

• 🧀 Farm-to-table flavours – from cured meats to creamy cheeses and rustic bread, this is foodie paradise.

Getting around

Alentejo is made for slow road trips and scenic detours. It’s a sprawling region, so hiring a car is your best bet – whether you’re vineyard-hopping inland or exploring the coast. Trains and buses connect main towns like Évora, Beja and Elvas, but they’re less frequent and more suited to planners than last-minute adventurers. The good news? Roads are quiet, villages are well signposted, and every turn feels like a detour into a postcard. Just don’t expect Uber on tap – this is off-the-beaten-path Portugal at its finest.

Things to do for families in Alentejo

Alentejo is a dreamy spot for families who love space, nature and old-school adventure. Kids will love clambering over the medieval walls of Évora or spotting ancient stone circles at Almendres Cromlech (yep, Portugal’s very own Stonehenge). Animal fans? Check out the Badoca Safari Park, home to zebras, giraffes and even lemurs. For downtime, many rural hotels have pools and play areas perfect for a chill-out day. On the coast, the beaches around Vila Nova de Milfontes are clean, quiet and perfect for sandcastle-building. And with farm stays and rustic guesthouses dotted everywhere, it’s all about laid-back, barefoot vibes.

Things to do for couples in Alentejo

Looking to dial up the romance? Alentejo is all soft light, vineyard strolls and stargazing-worthy skies. Take a slow wander through the cobbled streets of Monsaraz, one of Portugal’s prettiest hilltop villages, or pack a picnic and hike through the São Mamede Natural Park. Wine lovers? You’re in paradise. Visit Herdade do Esporão or Cartuxa for tastings, tours and some seriously swoon-worthy scenery. In the evening, grab a table at a tiny local taberna, order the açorda (a garlicky bread stew), and toast the sunset with a glass of bold Alentejo red. And if you’re both night owls, don’t miss Alqueva, Europe’s first Dark Sky Reserve – stargazing doesn’t get much better.

Things to do for groups in Alentejo

Got the gang together? Alentejo’s slower pace is perfect for groups who want space to chill – with a side of good food and better wine. Base yourselves in a converted farmhouse or a wine estate villa, and you’ve got the ultimate group HQ. During the day, take a guided wine tasting tour, go paddleboarding on the Alqueva Lake, or rent bikes and cruise through sunflower-lined country roads. In the evening, enjoy long lazy dinners under fairy lights at a rural restaurant – expect giant platters of grilled meats, local cheese boards and jugs of vinho da casa. And if you’re by the coast, throw in a beach BBQ or a sunset surf session for max memory-making.

Things to do for foodies in Alentejo

If your dream break involves stretchy waistbands and full stomachs, Alentejo’s calling. The region’s food is rustic, rich, and seriously comforting. Think black pork (porco preto), migas (bread-based side dish with garlic and sausage), and creamy local sheep cheeses. Even the bread’s a big deal here – thick-crusted and often used as a base for hearty stews like açorda de mariscos. Want to go full foodie? Head to Évora for tasting menus, farm-to-table eateries and food tours that dive deep into Alentejo’s culinary traditions. Oh, and don’t forget the olive oil – it’s so good they basically pour it like wine. Speaking of which… the reds here are smooth, full-bodied, and a holiday in a glass.