ALENTEJO BY L’AND

With the ”Alentejo by L’AND”  map we want to share what we love in Alentejo and what makes this region a special place to visit and to live:

  • An unique  landscape, with oak forests, meandering pines, vineyards and olive groves, changing  throughout the seasons from the intense green of winter and spring to the golden and ochre of summer and autumn;

  • The wild beaches of the Atlantic where you can spend hours alone on the sand and feel the sea;

  • The largest artificial lake in Europe - Lake Alqueva - with hundreds of islands and several medieval castles waiting to be to discovered under a sky with the brightest stars visible;

  • Several cities and towns (two  classified as Unesco heritage with a strong identity, marked by the passage of various civilizations);

  • An unique cuisine, resulting from the use of local products, as well as Mediterranean culture and the Portuguese sea voyages ;

  • Small and undiscovered hotels, whose special atmosphere is based on the region’s identity;

  • One of the best wine regions in the world;

  • Pure light, with sunshine more than 250 days a year;

  • Magical places where you can be in peace, close to land and sea, cultivate your own wine and live off the land and the sun.

WHAT TO DO?

  • Explore  “Comporta” village  and have drink at sunset viewing the rice fields;

  • Take a long walk on the beach starting in “Pego” , “Carvalhal” or “Aberta Nova”;

  • Visit the roman ruins of Tróia: an industrial central of the Roman Empire;

  • Do yoga at “Comporta Shala”;

  • Visit the palafitic cais in Carrasqueira;

  • Ride a calm horse on the beach “Cavalos na Areia“;

  • Visit the preserved lagoons of “Sancha” and “Santo André”…a truly amazing natural reserve;

  • Walk in the “Trilho dos Pescadores” (Fisherman’s route) in  Costa Vicentina Natural Park: perhaps the most beautiful coastal track in Europe and  walk by the wild cliffs, find hidden unspoiled beaches and feel the Atlantic;

  • Visit the Sines Cultural Centre;

  • Down the Mira River: rent a canoe and enjoy a paddle, or take a stroll along the river margin, observe the animals, birds and the surrounding vegetation that make this area an authentic spectacle of nature;

  • Surf at São Torpes Beach near Sines.

  • Visit the historic centre of Évora, a UNESCO world heritage site;

  • Take a stroll through Évora at night. Especially in a moonlight night, has a unique magic. You can walk slowly and get lost in the small streets and medieval squares;

  • Feel the inner energy from the Almendres stone circle, the largest circular structure of this type in the lberian Peninsula, where many of the rituals, especially relating to the Spring and Autumn equinoxes are still unknown;

  • Know the culture related to the cork-oak forest at the “Herdade do Freixo do Meio”;

  • Visit “Espaço no Tempo” and the Castle of Montemor-o-Novo, a contemporary performing artcentre located in a former convent managed by the choreographer Rui Horta;

  • Fly over Alentejo in hot-air balloon; 

  • Fly in a glider at Freixo;

  • Visit Arraiolos: one of the few circular castles in the world.

  • Visit the historic centre of Évora, a UNESCO world heritage site;

  • Take a stroll through Évora at night. Especially in a moonlight night, has a unique magic. You can walk slowly and get lost in the small streets and medieval squares;

  • Feel the inner energy from the Almendres stone circle, the largest circular structure of this type in the lberian Peninsula, where many of the rituals, especially relating to the Spring and Autumn equinoxes are still unknown;

  • Know the culture related to the cork-oak forest at the “Herdade do Freixo do Meio”;

  • Visit “Espaço no Tempo” and the Castle of Montemor-o-Novo, a contemporary performing artcentre located in a former convent managed by the choreographer Rui Horta;

  • Fly over Alentejo in hot-air balloon; 

  • Fly in a glider at Freixo;

  • Visit Arraiolos: one of the few circular castles in the world.

  • Visit the Evoramonte castle and enjoy the amazing view of Alentejo plains;

  • Buy a ”Love is Blind” at “Irmãos Ginja” near Estremoz Castle. This ceramic figure represents a blindfolded woman with a heart in her hands symbolizing true love;

  • Walk around Alandroal. Take a walk through the city, and visit the pre-classic pilgrimage site of the Lusitanian Gods;

  • Discover “Rocha Mira” and the Sanctuary of “São Miguel da Mota”, dating back to the pre-christian era at a time when the Endovélico cult was at its height;

  • Visit “PaisagindoBio” an organic herbs farm;

  • Visit the ducal Palace of “Vila Viçosa”;

  • Stroll in the “Serra d’Ossa” hills. Walk to the top of “São Gens” and enjoy the best view of the Alentejo plain. Visit the Convent of São Paulo.

WHAT TO TASTE?

ENOTOURISM

WHERE TO STAY?