10 days in Portugal in September: avoid mass tourism with flight ticket and accomodation from 712 USD
Have you ever thought about, what is it like to dive into a completely different world, after the metropolises’ eventful chaos, always looking for new stimuli and programs, in a slowed down, completely unknown milieu, away from the everyday problems and hurry, simply just immersing yourself in the locals’ sluggish life and truly living the moment? Don’t longing for the entertaining shows, concerts, large-scale productions in the evenings, just drinking a vine with the locals on a terrace of a simple restaurant after a delicious dinner, enjoying the view of the vines in the light of the setting sun and don’t thinking about any urgent task, simply just experiencing there and then, the feeling that you have nothing other to do, than to enjoy the flavours, the fresh air, the view and the company. There isn’t traffic, car honking, hurrying, hungry for entertainment or just going to work crowd, there isn’t compulsion, or compulsion for conformity, just the moment, in which you can calm down, and everything is right just as it is.
Portugal’s Alentejo region promises just that.
Alentejo, unlike the teeming, tourist attracting Porto, shows a completely different face of Portugal. The region opens a window to learn about the rural lifestyle according to the old Portuguese traditions, and in the same time it shows an incredibly charming, loveable side of the country.
The Alentejo region itself is huge, it covers the lower third of Portugal. In terms of atmosphere it can be called a kind of Tuscan mood Portugal, with its idyll, cosy, romantic things to explore. It has also played a historically important role in the past, since it was the main connecting route between Portugal and Spain, and the dozens of castles prove, that the relationship between the two nation wasn’t always peaceful.
The province’s capital an UNESCO world heritage site, the beautiful city of Évora, however now avoiding the crowds, I invite you to explore some specifically small, hidden, picturesque villages.
What practically all the tiny cities of Alentejo have in common is the Portugese architectural style, the whitewashed houses, which history goes back to the Roman times. Unfortunately, plenty of Alentejo villages has become old, since youngsters rather move out and settle down in livelier villages
Alcáçovas
Alcácovas is an important milestone in Portugal’s history, the War of The Castilian Succession was come to an end after the treaty signed there in 1479.
Nowadays, Alcácovas is a hitorical related exciting little city, with many heritages, and sights such as royal palace, churches, chapels, fountains, which according to the locals grants fresh water to the inhabitants and the adventurers wandering there for 700 years now.
Arraiolos
Arraiolos is a nice little town, not far away from Évora, famous for its castle, and 16th century monastery, as well as for the production of Arriolos carpets, which are made in the city since the Middle Ages.
In addition to all this, you can ponder on the city’s history with ease, while we walk on the crooked streets between the characteristic white one-storey houses, or as we take a rest in one of the public gardens.
Of course, it isn’t worth leaving Arraiolost, until you try the famous pie of the city.
Boa Fé
The village of Boa Fé was the capital of the Nossa Senhora da Boa Fé parish, until 2013.
The village only has a population of 322 residents, and amongst the sites there is the old church of the village and also 14st century bridge, it worth spending some time here and gain some insights into the villager’s everyday life.
Here we can experience a truly slowed down southern Mediterranean way of life, which insomuch unique to the southern Portuguese countryside, that we can’t find this kind of atmosphere anywhere else.
Graça do Divor
Photo: Gerard Vonk Photo: Huw Thomas
The name originates from the ancient Romans, who named this place “God’s place”.
The village is abandoned, but the white wall, blue floor houses still tell old stories.
The church of the village as the old time’s memento is an architectural heritage from the 16st century left on us.
Portel
Visiting Portel is unmissable, a range of experiences are waiting for us, if we visit this enthralling city, which can be easily approached from both the city of Beja and Évora.
On the top of the city stands out the castle built in the 1200s, it worth to come up there just for the view, which shows us the surrounding planes.
Photo: Vitor Oliveira
Walking in the city, it’s almost unbelievable how the tourists hasn’t flooded this beautiful city yet, but thus the exciting and definitely unique feeling remains, that you can explore the sinuous, narrow streets on your own. At the end of you can have a lunch, selected from the delicacies of the Portuguese cuisine in the extremely cosy Cozinha D’aboim restaurant.
São Sebastião da Giesteira
The São Sebastião da Giesteira doesn’t seem like a particularly interesting village at first glance, however the typical southern Portuguese houses return, with their own modest, rural, quiet and calm communities. This place is also perfect to slowed down admire the bygone era’s remaining memories between the primary school’s walls.
Terena
Photo: Nelson L
In the Middle Ages Terena had an important defending role, this is also indicated by the castle, which can be still visited today, and which was the part of the line of defence. The streets’ architecture is characterized by the rural farmhouse architecture style, walking there you will have a time travel again. You can see an old castle, shrines, chapel, clock tower, church from the times before the 14th century.
Viana do Alentejo
Photo: magellano
For accommodation the Herdade dos Mestres farm house in Terena (exactly outside of the city but not so far from it) can be an excellent choice, where a beautiful view, traditional Portuguese foods, helpful, friendly hospitality and a swimming pool is awaiting for you.
It is recommended for those, who:
-love silence and tranquillity
-love the rural vibes
-come here primarily to take some rest
It isn’t recommended for those, who:
-come to party
-love to have fun in a noisy way
-are bothered when they have to come down from the map
(cozyandspirit is official partner of agoda and kiwi)
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