Alentejo

Region

The vast, sun-baked south-centre of cork oaks, olive groves and whitewashed towns. Évora has a Roman temple and bone chapel, Monsaraz and Marvão are hilltop villages, the Alentejo coast has wild beaches, and the region is known for wine, slow food and quiet. Spring is best; summers are very hot.

Alentejo Cathedral of ÉvoraSé de PortalegreMuseu Regional de BejaGarrison Border Town of Elvas and its FortificationsHistoric Centre of ÉvoraÉvoraCabeça GordaBoavista dos PinheirosRoman Temple of ÉvoraCapela dos OssosCastle of ElvasCastle of Marvão

Alentejo essentials

Country: Portugal
Driest months: Jun-Aug
Pay in: Euro (€)
Language: Portuguese
Emergency: 112

Where to Go in Alentejo

City Évora ÉvoraCity in Évora, Portugal History Roman Temple of Évora Roman Temple of ÉvoraWell-preserved Roman temple in Évora's historic center History Castle of Elvas Castle of ElvasLarge fortified citadel and bastioned walls in Elvas History Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its FortificationsFortified garrison town with extensive bastioned ramparts History Historic Centre of Évora Historic Centre of ÉvoraMedieval city with Roman temple and preserved walls
Regions & Cities
Évora Explore Évora Évora’s Roman temple and whitewashed medieval streets welcome slow walkers. Explore Cabeça Gorda High on Alentejo’s plains, Cabeça Gorda is surrounded by wheat fields and cork oaks; visitors come for shepherd-run cheeseries, slow cafés, and open skies ideal for stargazing. Explore Boavista dos Pinheiros On Alentejo’s rolling plains, Boavista dos Pinheiros draws visitors for cork and olive groves, farmhouse stays, rustic taverns serving açorda and migas, and quiet country roads that cyclists and birdwatchers use to reach nearby Roman ruins and olive presses. Roman Temple of Évora Explore Roman Temple of Évora In Évora’s historic centre a well-preserved Roman temple of granite columns anchors the Roman-era forum; tourists explore surrounding medieval streets, the cathedral and nearby Évora Museum within the UNESCO-listed old town. Capela dos Ossos Explore Capela dos Ossos In Évora, the 16th-century Capela dos Ossos is an ossuary lined with human bones and skulls; visitors come for its macabre interior, cemetery context and proximity to the Roman Temple and cathedral. Castle of Elvas Explore Castle of Elvas Elvas’s fortress complex forms part of a large star-shaped border citadel near Spain; visitors examine bastions, a long aqueduct and military architecture that reflect centuries of frontier defence. Explore Castle of Marvão Perched above its village, the Castle of Marvão offers narrow streets, thick medieval walls and extensive views over Portugal’s Alentejo and toward Spain; visitors walk ramparts and explore local museums.

Alentejo at a Glance

Local Time
11:37 PM
GMT+0
Population
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Best Things to Do in Alentejo