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Between the region of Lisbon and the Algarve in the south lies the region of Alentejo. This thinly populated region covers a large area of Portugal – nearly a third of its total area – and is well worth exploring. The scenery is rural and hilly, with olive orchards, cork oak orchards, golden cornfields, and vineyards. The landscape becomes dryer and flatter towards the south. Alentejo has a beautiful rugged coast, with secluded inlets, cliffs, and sand dunes. It is also an interesting region for monuments and historic, fortified towns. There are remnants from prehistoric times, such as stone circles and dolmens. You will come across some walled towns on hilltops, evidence of past wars against the Moorish people. It’s great fun spending some time in one of the historic towns, during your visit to Alentejo. Such as the Mediaeval Monsaraz or the white village of Marvão. The health resort town of Castelo de Vide is also well worth a visit. Here, you can walk through the steep, winding roads of the Jewish Quarter, visit the 13th century synagogue, or visit the Mediaeval fortress. And then there is, of course, the UNESCO town of Évora. There are some natural parks, such as the Parque Natural da Serra de S. Mamede in the North – from the peak of the S. Mamede (1025 m) you will have panoramic views across the region- and the Parque Natural do Vale do Guadiana, and the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina on the coast. Beaches can be found near the seaside resort of Vila Nova de Milfontes, the picturesque fishing village of Porto Covo, the island Ilha do Pessegueiro, as well as near Praia do Malhão, Almograve, Zambujeira do Mar, Carvalhal, and Odeceixe. Or you can cool off at one of the reservoirs further inland. Alentejo is also a wine region – its fruity wines have a very good reputation. They come in three main white and 3 main red wine types. Roupeiro, Rabo de Ovelha, Antão Vaz, and reds: Periquita, Trincadeira, Aragonez. Other local produce includes cheese, sausage, honey, and olive oil.
Places of interest
- The UNESCO town of Évora. It has many monuments, including Roman baths and temples, frescoes in Casa de Burgos, and the church of Igreja Real de São Francisco.
- Historic towns such as Beja, Estremoz, Monsaraz, Marvão, Castelo de Vide, Portalegre, Elvas, Santarém, Alvito, Serpa, or Santiago do Cacém.
- Also interesting are: the stone circles of Cromeleque dos Almendres, southwest of Évora.
- You can visit Sines along the coast, a fishing village with a historic centre.
- The archaeological museum in Mértola, and the Roman, Moorish, and early Christian remains in this village.
- Vila Viçosa and the beautiful palace of Paço Ducal – here, princes and princesses used to live.
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