A 3-Day Trip in Alentejo

Located only one hour south of the Portuguese capital, Alentejo is well worth your time - either combined with a visit to Lisbon or on its own. Our 3-day trip to Alentejo sums up the essentials of what you need to know and do when visiting this sunny spot in Portugal.

Located only a one-hour drive away from the capital city, Alentejo makes for a wonderful laid-back destination. Away from the busy coastal resorts, its slow-paced vibe is a big draw for visitors seeking to unwind. This big fertile region - a third of the country by area - is being touted by both the Provence and Tuscany of Portugal and has confidently taken its place as an area of outstanding wine production.

In our 3-day tour in Alentejo, we've rounded up the region's top restaurants, wineries, and places to stay. Down below you'll find a full day-by-day breakdown of the included activities, which will give you a 101 introduction to what you can do, see, and enjoy in Alentejo.

This tour also includes private transportation, which will allow you to quickly move around - especially in a mainly rural, sparsely populated area - and have your hands free to take wonderful photos and fully immerse yourself in the landscape around you.

Day 1 

Starting with a pick up in Central Lisbon or at the city Airport, all the way to the end of the tour, you'll cross the Tagus River toward Alentejo. 

You'll spend the first night at the exclusive wine resort L'AND Vineyards. From the surrounding grape fields to the wine therapy spa by Caudalie, everything in it revolves around wine. This oenophile's dream resort, located just an hour’s drive from the capital and Lisbon Airport, is the perfect haven for those keen to explore the countryside and find out more about Portuguese food and wine in a relaxing environment. 

Enjoy a massage and have dinner at the modern Michelin-starred restaurant before snuggling into bed, right under the stars - quite literally, as you'll have a skylight window right above your head.

Day 2

After breakfast, you'll get up close and personal with Alentejo's long-standing wine-producing industry. Monte da Ravasqueira is just one of the many traditional wineries which have opened their doors to curious wine enthusiasts. Enjoy a tour of the vineyards and wine-producing facilities, followed by a visit to the spectacular private carriage collection. 

From there, it's a short ride to the picturesque village of Arraiolos, famed for its exquisite handwoven rugs and miniature clay village "Aldeia da Terra".

Next stop will be at Adega da Cartuxa. While there, you will have the opportunity to taste some of its best wines - as well as sample some olive oil - paired with charcuterie, cheeses, and locally produced jams.

In the afternoon, you'll discover Évora city center - a UNESCO Heritage site and Alentejo's main city and university town. You'll spend the night at local Convento do Espinheiro - a Luxury Collection Hotel & Spa awarded first place among the best resort hotels in Spain and Portugal, according to T + L's readers in 2017. 

Dinner will be at Divinus Restaurant - the hotel's in-house dining room - housed in the old cellar of the 15th-century convent. Chef Bouazza Bouhlani serves a colorful menu rooted in both tradition and modernity, smartly paired with a comprehensive wine list.

Day 3 

With such a beautiful landscape, you have no choice but to take advantage of the great outdoors - a sprawl of plain and cork oak forests that stretch as far as the eye can see - the white-washed hilltop villages, and the incredible water reservoirs.

Ride through glorious countryside to Herdade do Esporão for a visit and delicious lunch. This is a family-owned winery originally founded in 1267, which includes vines, olive trees, a massive water reservoir, as well as archaeological monuments, and an in-house museum. Esporão has several different brands within their portfolio - from wines to olive oils - all available to taste and buy (and splurge) at the wine cellar shop. 

Depending upon flight times you will be driven to the Lisbon Airport or downtown if you plan to extend your stay in Portugal. If you're planning to stay a little longer, we can help you with that!

Are you looking for a shorter trip? Or maybe you want to visit some other places outside Alentejo?

Custom trips are only limited by your imagination. Our expertise is in creating an itinerary that runs smoothly and is perfectly suited to your needs. Tell us your plan and we'll do the rest!