Things to see & do in
Alentejo, Portugal
Sparsely populated, with a landscape and culture that feel as though they’ve gone virtually untouched for centuries, the Alentejo region is where many Portuguese people retreat to in summer when the cities get too hot. This is the ‘bread basket’ of Portugal. You’re going to find Alentejo queijo (cheese), presunto (ham) and wine on the menu all over the country, and the traditional cork industry also depends heavily on the this region’s fertile soils.
Here in southern Portugal you’ll explore halcyon rural landscapes, ears of wheat rustling in the breeze thick with lavender and eucalyptus; gnarled olive groves and vineyards and shepherds minding their flocks, then on the coast hidden beaches with golden dunes and rolling surf, and charismatic fishing villages. As you would expect from a largely agricultural area, the terrain is generally quite flat until you get to the sea when it becomes steeper and rugged.
Our Portugal Vacations
Alentejo & Algarve self guided hiking vacation, Portugal
Independent coastal walking vacations in the Alentejo Coast
From
€460
8 days
ex flights
Alentejo Coast family activity vacation, Portugal
Family multi-activity week on the Alentejo coast, Portugal
From
£1020
8 days
inc UK flights
Alto Alentejo cycling tour in Portugal, self guided
Cycle on the Alentejo backroads of Portugal countryside
From
€1790 to €2390
8 days
ex flights
Alentejo self guided hiking in Portugal
Exploring Rota Vicentina's best trails
From
€860
14 days
ex flights
Coastal hiking vacation in Portugal
The very best walks from the 125km selection of coastal trails
From
US $999 to US $1199
8 days
ex flights
Alentejo hiking vaction, Portugal
Self-guided walking vacation through the Sagres Peninsula
From
£1219 to £1339
7 days
inc UK flights
Alentejo self guided hiking vacation, Portugal
Walk the Fishermen's Trails along Rota Vicentina's landscape
From
€370
6 days
ex flights
Alentejo self guided cycling vacation, Portugal
Easy cycling on the flat landscape of the Alentejo Coast
From
€800 to €900
8 days
ex flights
Alentejo walking vacation in Portugal
Self-guided walk from the Spanish border to the rugged coast
From
£1455
8 days
ex flights
Eastern Algarve guided cycling vacation
Guided cycling along the best back roads in the Algarve!
From
€1495 to €1695
8 days
ex flights
Alentejo vacation ideas
Family vacations in Alentejo
Alentejo is more laidback than the Algarve with its evergreen and water-gobbling golf courses and over-busy beaches, but it’s no less fun for families. And given that it’s beloved by Portuguese families – many adults can instantly recall their own happy childhood memories of Alentejo – it’s a pretty safe bet yours will too. You might stay in a traditional whitewashed resort on the Atlantic coast, with surfing, canoeing and stand up paddle boarding on the itinerary; plus cycling, walking and even abseiling if you go inland. And those sunsets...Cycling vacations
No surprises that Alentejo is a superb destination for cycling vacations, though probably give it a swerve in late July and August. Don’t expect anything too strenuous; cycling here is all about soaking up the magnificent countryside and coastal scenery, but there are more ambitious routes out there if you prefer. Cycling trips here are usually tailor made and self guided, giving you independence within an achievable framework, and the option to build in relaxation days where you want. Daily distances range from 30-60km, and you can expect all the support you need, including luggage transfers and comprehensive route maps.Walking vacations
Walking vacations in Alentejo often focus on the Rota Vicentina, a sprawling network of trails. The most well known and arguably most picturesque is the Fishermen’s Trail that hugs the coast for 125km over five sections. These are usually point-to-point, self guided trips that see you staying in pre-booked guesthouses and B&Bs. You may also take a route that dips in and out of the Algarve, which borders Alentejo, and this is also one of the finest places in Europe for bird watching, which is easily combined with a walking vacation.
Our top Portugal Vacation
Alentejo & Algarve self guided hiking vacation, Portugal
Independent coastal walking vacations in the Alentejo Coast
From
€460
8 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
This independent vacation is available any day of the year except August and the last two weeks of July.
This independent vacation is available any day of the year except August and the last two weeks of July.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Portugal or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
When to visit Alentejo
The best time to visit Alentejo is generally during spring or autumn. Expect a typically Mediterranean climate. Summer temperatures can easily hit 40°C, though it’s cooler on the coast, while the winters tend to be mild but can be quite wet. Late summer and autumn are particularly lovely when the orchards and the vines are swelling with their bounty.
Portugal is easier for vegetarians than other European countries. Fresh, wholesome food.
- D.H. Dharmavasita
“Well organised and pitched at an ideal level for our 8, 11 & 13 year old boys... We had not joined a group vacation like this before so don't know whether we were just lucky with our fellow travelers but we felt it added hugely to the enjoyment of the activities to be with like-minded families.” – Tanya in a review of her Alentejo coast family activity vacation
“Fabulous. Stages were the right length, comfortable but varied hotels. Lovely people. The trail is spectacular and I’m pleased we started from the beginning and saw some of the inland. Portugal is easier for vegetarians than other European countries. Fresh, wholesome food.” – D.H. Dharmavasita in a review of a self guided walking vacation in Portugal
“Fabulous. Stages were the right length, comfortable but varied hotels. Lovely people. The trail is spectacular and I’m pleased we started from the beginning and saw some of the inland. Portugal is easier for vegetarians than other European countries. Fresh, wholesome food.” – D.H. Dharmavasita in a review of a self guided walking vacation in Portugal
More about Portugal
The best time to visit Portugal is spring season which starts in February to find hills bedecked in seasonal flowers and almond groves awash with pretty pink blossom.
Our Portugal travel guide will point you in the right direction when it comes to what we rate and what we don't as well as offering a fair bit of insider info regarding the best beaches, walking and cycling trails, and a brief history of Portugal, warts and all.
From Porto in the north to Lagos in the south, with Lisbon and the Sintra-Cascais National Park in between, making the most of your time in Portugal should always start with a map and highlights as this page goes to prove.
There's no getting away from Portugal's wild and woolly coastline which is why things to do in Portugal usually start and finish with a day spent surfing, sunning or simply staring at the beach.
There's just something about the warm weather and peaceful countryside that sets yoga vacations in Portugal aside from the rest of the pack with no end of additional activities and well-being therapies also helping to create an experience that's as spiritually inspirational as effortlessly relaxing.
Sintra, a fairytale tapestry of ancient castles, palaces and grand estates set into the wooded hills of the ‘Portuguese Riviera’ is the most popular day-trip from Lisbon.
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We give Portugal an ‘A’ for cycling vacations: Algarve, Azores, Alentejo, Atlantic Coast – an incredible diversity of scenery.
The Monument to the Discoveries, representing iconic figures of Portugal’s ‘Age of Discovery’, is among the most famous landmarks in Lisbon.
For such a small island Madeira boasts a stunning range of landscapes from volcanic lava pools to vineyards, emerald green forests, rivers and offshore reefs.
Walking vacations in Portugal introduce you to magnificent coastal and countryside routes, many of which can be approached at any time of year.
Finding the right beach is essential for anyone traveling to Portugal with kids as wave sense equals freedom to let little ones run wild amongst the surf and sand along the Atlantic coast.
Portugal travel advice should always start with a few tidbits from friendly folks that we know and trust which is why this page is devoted to tips on how to eat, live and love like a local as well as a handy health & safety section to help you travel with confidence along Portugal's Atlantic coast.
Hard times across the globe haven't helped Portugal's fragile economy although the responsible tourism industry in Portugal is doing its level best to entice travelers away from the resorts of the Algarve as well as encouraging travel outside of peak seasons and into the country's rural landscapes.
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: Jocelyn Erskine-Kellie] [Topbox: Mario Cruz]
[Walking : Claudio Franco]
[When to go: Jocelyn Erskine-Kellie]
[Vegetarian food: Marco Verch]
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