Discover the Alentejo

Eleven nights, self-guided, through the Alentejo, the wide southern and central region of Portugal. Caminos arranges an economy hire car and hotels, and the route runs from Lisboa through the coast, the south and the centre of the region to the border hills of the north-east.

Caminos calls the Alentejo a land of wine and bread, of simplicity, tradition, light and colour, with golden plains, olive groves, vines and cork forests. The region has whitewashed villages, Moorish neighbourhoods, marble towns, medieval cities, hilltop fortresses, megaliths and Roman ruins. Local pottery and tapestries, country markets and family-run restaurants are all part of the experience.

Two nights in Lisboa and around start the trip, with the option of Sintra and Cascais. Three nights on the Costa Vicentina follow, around Vila Nova de Milfontes, the Rota Vicentina and the beaches of the Sudoeste Alentejano national park. The Baixo Alentejo takes two nights, with Moura, Beja, Mertola, Serpa and the Alqueva reservoir, said to be Europe’s largest. Evora and the central Alentejo take two more, including Monsaraz and the marble towns, and the Serra de Sao Mamede ends the route, with Marvao, Castelo de Vide, Portalegre and ancient megaliths.

The price covers hotels on a bed and breakfast basis for two sharing a double room, an economy four-door hire car for those flying, a regional guide book and a personal travel app with restaurant suggestions and weather forecasts, and instructions for finding every hotel. Flights, one-way and cross-border car hire charges, extras such as a second driver, garage parking and local tourist taxes are not included. Caminos quotes about £1,450 per person as an indicative mid-season figure for 11 nights, and adapts the route, hotels and airports to each traveller.