Alentejo is the largest region of the country and is located in south-central Portugal. It comprises the Évora District, Beja, Portalegre, part of Setúbal and pat of Santarém.
Well known for its hearty appetizing cuisine and especially for the production of some of the best wines in the country (many of them recognized and awarded internationally). Also known for their black pork, angus beef, olives and production of cork. Main tourist centers
Évora
Known as a city-museum, its historic center was declared a UNESCO heritage in 1986.
Elvas
A border town with the largest site of bulwark fortifications in the world, and its walls and historic center received the title of World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2012.
Alqueva Dam
Located on the Guadiana River, is the largest Portuguese dam and largest in Western Europe. A great contrevesary suffounding its building, as numerous villages had to be submerger. but they eventually agreed to be been rehomed elsewhere.
Attractions:
Monsaraz Vila
conquered by the Moors in 1167. Its beautiful castle was important surveillance point in the Guadiana River, straddling the border with the Kingdom of Castile.
Marvão
Very close to the Spanish /Portuguese border, located in Portalegre district, at the top of Sapoio, at 860 meters altitude, with under 500 inhabitants. The tiny village and its mountains have been included in the list of candidates for UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. Not to be missed!
Castelo de Vide
A very romantic village with plenty of gardens and greenery. Near the Serra de São Mamede and Marvão Village.
Alentejo Coast
Natural Park of Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina - With a length of 110 km, covers the southwest coast of Portugal, with various types of landscape and natural habitats, such as cliffs, islands, estuaries,dunes, marshes, temporary ponds, paradisiacal beaches and phenomenal food!
Gastronomy
The Alentejo is well known for its cuisine and its fine wines. Some of the most popular dishes of the region are:
Gaspacho, lamb stew, Migas, Pork Meat Alentejo style, Dogfish soup, etc.
Snacks are also excellent! Here are some: Gizzards, chorizo, sausage, cracklings, ham, etc.
Alentejo Sweets are also famous: the Sericaia, curd cake, deep fried donuts, almond cake and gila (made with pumpkin)
Typical drinks The most favorite drink of the Alentejo is, without doubt, the wine!
