ALENTEJO GOLDEN PLAINS FAQ'S

How do I get from the airport to Alentejo Golden Plains?

Those interested in touring Alentejo Golden Plains will be entering Portugal via air at Lisbon`s Humberto Delgado Airport (called Portela Airport by locals, IATA code LIS). Lisbon`s airport is about 110 miles northwest of Beja. While Beja has its own international airport, as of 2017 it does not offer any commercial flights.

TripMasters recommends that you reserve a rental car during the vacation booking process. Upon arrival in Portugal, consult your reservation information and keep in mind the name of the company from which you have rented. The rental car companies are based in Terminal T1, in and around the P3 parking lot.

Driving directions to Beja: Turn left out of the airport and get on the E1 motorway. In less than half a mile, turn right at Exit 14 for the A12 motorway, which will take you across the Ponte Vasco da Gama. Take the A12 road down to the A2, heading east toward Montemor-o-Novo. The A2 will curve southward; take it until you see the sign for the IP8 motorway toward Beja. Get on the IP8 and head east. About 40 minutes after turning onto the IP8, you will see signs for Beja.

Are there buses or trains that connect the cities and towns of Alentejo Golden Plains?

The city of Beja is connected to Lisbon via daily Comboios de Portugal passenger trains, with a transfer necessary in Casa Branca. The train from Casa Branca to Beja makes two stops before arriving in Beja proper: Vila Nova de Baronia and Cuba. Local service from Beja to surrounding villages has since ceased.

Rodoviaria do Alentejo operates daily bus service between the towns of the Alentejo, with Beja serving as the area`s main hub. Beja is connected to all the Alentejo Golden Plains towns except for Moura. Relying on this bus service can prove tricky as many lines to the smaller villages only run between 6 and 9 a.m. and 4 and 7 p.m., leading us to believe that many of these lines are commuter lines for people who live in smaller villages and work in cities like Beja or Serpa. To check bus routes and pickup times, visit www.rodalentejo.pt (website in Portuguese only).

Beja, Moura and Portel all have an intercity bus station. Pias is served by the intercity bus station in Serpa. Alvito is not connected by intercity buses like Rede Expressos.

How do I call/hail a taxi?

Unlike in other parts of Portugal, taxi queues are rare in the Alentejo Golden Plains towns and villages. If you do find one, chances are it will be in Beja. In other towns, you will have to call the taxi companies if you need a ride. If you are afraid of being misunderstood, have your hotel make the call for you, and write your destination (and address if possible) on a piece of paper for your driver.

Beja is served by five taxi companies. Alvito is home to two competing taxi companies, and the towns of Serpa, Portel and Moura have one each. Rates in this area will start at €4. Add €1 for every mile traveled. Fares rise by at least 20% after 9 p.m., all day on weekends, and during holidays.

How easy is it to explore the sights in the Alentejo Golden Plains region?

It`s quite easy to explore many of the cities, towns and villages in Alentejo Golden Plains on foot. It is possible to walk the whole length of a typical Alentejo Golden Plains town, from west to east or north to south, in less than a half-mile. The largest town in the area, in both population and area, is Beja. Although the town is a mile and a half wide, the `old city` is compact, and many of the sights we recommend that you see in Beja are located in this area. As mentioned before, we recommend you book a car rental during the reservation process, to facilitate travel between the towns and to remote sights.

How safe is the Alentejo Golden Plains region?

In an already safe country like Portugal, crime rates in the Alentejo rank among the lowest in the land. You are very unlikely to be harassed or in any other way victimized while traveling in Alentejo Golden Plains. For example, U.S. travelers to Beja, the region`s principal city, reported just one safety incident to the U.S. embassy in 2015-16.

The U.S. embassy in Lisbon asks citizens traveling in interior Portugal to avoid mass demonstrations, which may occur from time to time over issues such as unemployment or Portugal`s place in the European Union. (Some of these demonstrations may be organized by Portugal`s Communist Party, which enjoys a sizable amount of influence in the area.) This is the only safety issue mentioned by the embassy that would apply to the Alentejo Golden Plains region.

Even though the cities and towns of Alentejo Golden Plains are safe, take the necessary safety precautions just like you would at home. Take only well-lit and well-populated routes, keep your wits about you, and always look like you know where you are going, even when you may not. Be sure to keep your valuables on your person at all times, and never keep all of your money in one place; split up your cash into various pockets in your clothes.

What is shopping like in Alentejo Golden Plains? Where can I find noteworthy souvenirs that are unique to the area?

Beja, like much of the Alentejo Golden Plains region, is renowned for souvenirs such as hammered copper place settings and elaborate wood carvings. You can find those at shops along the Praca da Republica. For other unique souvenirs, head to Rua Capitao Joao Francisco de Sousa, south of the Museu Regional and the Teatro Pax Julia. The shops in this area are a mix of mom-and-pop stores and boutiques/brands you can find at home. Two shopping malls are located in Beja (the only ones in the entire Alentejo Golden Plains region).

Away from Beja, the notable shopping streets in the Alentejo Golden Plains region include Parque Infantil do Jardim Doutor Franca in Portel, Rua Engenheiro Armando Almeida Manso in Moura, and in Serpa outside the southwestern edge of the Circular Interna.

Are there any delicacies that are unique to Alentejo Golden Plains?

Alentejan cuisine places a high emphasis on seasonings such as garlic and poejo, an acquired taste similar to mint. Many popular dishes are served as soups, such as the acorda, featuring ingredients such as bread in a broth of vegetables, olive oil, salt, garlic and coriander. Seafood acorda is a popular variant, usually using dogfish as the protein.

Other delicious Alentejan dishes include carne de porco a Alentejana, marinated pork stewed with fresh clams, and shredded cod served with migas (breadcrumbs sauteed with olive oil and garlic).

The Golden Plains region is renowned nationwide and beyond for its wineries. Two noteworthy wineries, Herdade dos Grous and Herdade do Vau, both outside Beja, were praised by the UK newspaper The Guardian for their quality vintages. Finally, while not unique to the Alentejo region, pasteis de nata (egg tart pastries) are enjoyed by many here, and a bakery in the town of Portel insists it makes the best pastries outside of Lisbon..

Can I pay/tip in US dollars?

The currency of Portugal is the Euro and US dollars are not accepted for payment. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for euros upon arrival. Currency exchange desks and ATMs can be found at your arrival airport and at many locations throughout the region.

I do not speak Portuguese. Do many people speak English?

It is more common to find English speakers in Portugal than it is in other southern European countries, such as Spain. A recent European Union language survey found that 32% of Portuguese people over the age of 18 can speak English on a conversational level or better.

With that said, you may encounter some difficulty finding an English speaker away from tourist areas such as hotels, museums, and the bus station. It is recommended to brush up on basic Portuguese phrases before arriving, like basic pleasantries and numbers from 1 to 10. To ask someone if they speak English, say `Fala ingles?`

Note: Do not speak in Spanish to a Portuguese person, thinking they will understand you when you do so. Responses will range from stunned silence to outright hostility; the Portuguese people are proud of their culture and heritage, and such an act will cause nearly everyone to take personal offense. On another note, the vocabulary and pronunciation in Portuguese differs from Spanish more than you may realize.

What are the drinking laws in Portugal?

The legal drinking age in Portugal is 18, whether you find yourself in a pub or a nightclub. Asking for proof of age upon ordering an alcoholic beverage or entering a nightclub is becoming more commonplace, especially if you appear younger. Keep your passport with you as it doubles as proof of age and identification.

If you are renting a car, do not drive after consuming alcohol. A blood alcohol content level of 0.05 is considered the legal limit; penalties can range from fines to a jail sentence of up to one year. Save yourself the potential trouble and heartache.