Day 1 in Alentejo North East

Welcome to Portugal! Upon arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Make your way to the Alentejo and check in at your hotel. Don`t give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do.

Start your journey in the most populous city in Alentejo North East, Portalegre. Take in the sights of this sprawling and beautiful city, such as Portalegre Cathedral, Portalegre Castle, the Mosteiro de Sao Bernardo, and Alegrete Castle (located seven miles southwest of the city in the town of Alegrete). Have lunch at one of the many cafes and restaurants along Avenida da Liberdade.

In the afternoon, choose one of the towns north of Portalegre to visit: Castelo de Vide or Marvao. Marvao was listed as one of the `1000 Places to See Before You Die` in the 2003 New York Times bestseller of the same name, and also lays claim to one of the more extensive Roman villas in existence in Portugal, the Villa of Ammaia. Castelo de Vide is nestled in the Sao Mamede mountains and is known for its Jewish community, which first became a noted presence in town in the 1200s and flourished until the Jews` expulsion from the Alentejo in 1496. The history of the Jews in Castelo de Vide is told in great detail at the museum housed inside the Sinagoga de Castelo de Vide. If you have time, consider dining in Castelo de Vide before driving back to your hotel.

Day 2 in Alentejo North East

Leave in the early morning for sightseeing while on the way to Estremoz. First, enjoy a sunrise view at Anta da Aldeia da Mata, a famous megalith comparable to England`s Stonehenge, near the town of Crato. After leaving the Crato area, head to Monforte and view the old Roman bridge over the Ribeira Grande and another Roman villa, the Villa of Torre de Palma. Once you've arrived in Estremoz, figure out the rest of your daily schedule while window-shopping or cafe-hopping at the Rossio Marques de Pombal. Whatever you decide, it is necessary to take the time to walk the grounds of Estremoz Castle.

Once you leave the Rossio, you should have decided whether you are going to spend the rest of the day north or south of the city. If you are going south, you should make three stops. The first is the Capela de Nossa Senhora dos Martires, just outside of town. Southwest of Estremoz sits Evoramonte Castle, an austere structure which has become a landmark of sorts due to its steely facade. Southeast of Estremoz is Vila Vicosa, known for its namesake castle and the Mosteiro de Santo Agostinho, which is the pantheon for dearly departed Dukes of Braganca.

If you are heading north, you will make a stop in Sousel to visit the Praca de Touros. Sousel`s bullring is the oldest in the country; the town hosted its first bullfight in 1642. Travelers who arrive in the spring in the weeks before Easter might be able to see a match in person. If it isn`t too late, consider proceeding ahead to Avis to view Avis Castle before heading back to your hotel for the evening.

Day 3 in Alentejo North East

If there are any parts of Estremoz you haven`t had the chance to see, leave your hotel early and spend a good part of the morning exploring the town. Otherwise, we recommend heading east to Elvas, where you can view the many national monuments that make up the city`s UNESCO World Heritage Site (such as the Forte de Nossa Senhora da Graca, Elvas Castle, and Forte de Santa Luzia). Stroll along one of the main arteries in town, the Rua de Sao Lourenco, and decide on a place to eat lunch.

Later in the afternoon, head 6.5 miles south of the Forte de Santa Luzia on the Rua Bombeiros Voluntarios de Elvas until just before you cross the River Guadiana. Don`t cross the bridge, as you will have gone too far and accidentally crossed the border into Spain. Instead, turn left before crossing the bridge and drive a few hundred feet down a dirt road until you reach the Ponte de Nossa Senhora da Ajuda, a Renaissance-era bridge which once linked Elvas and Olivenca. Interesting fact: Once the bridge was damaged and closed in 1709, a new bridge was not built in the immediate vicinity until 2000! After visiting the bridge, spend the rest of the day at your leisure in Elvas. At the end of the day, drive back to your hotel.

Additional Days in Alentejo North East

The Portuguese and Spanish borderlands share a lot of the same history, and you will find that is true for the largest city in the Spanish region of Extremadura, Badajoz. Badajoz is located approximately thirty minutes east of the town of Elvas by car, on the Lisbon-Madrid highway (A6 in Portugal, A-5 in Spain). Badajoz has risen from the ashes many times, after the Peninsular War, the Napoleonic Wars, and the Spanish Civil War had ravaged the city. Today, the jewel on the Guadiana River welcomes tourists to experience its eventful yet thorny history. Notable sights include the Alcazaba of Badajoz; a reproduction of La Giralda in Seville; Puerta Palmas; and the Jardines de la Galera, among others.

An hour and a half north of Estremoz and 45 minutes north of Portalegre is the town of Castelo Branco. Settlements have existed in the area since Roman times, although the Knights Templar had a hand in writing the first chapter of Castelo Branco`s modern history when they helped build the city walls and the city`s castle in the 13th century. Sights in town include the elaborately-designed Garden of the Episcopal Palace, the Cathedral of Castelo Branco, and the former bishop`s palace, the Francisco Tavares Proenca Jr. Museum.

If you are interested in continuing your exploration of Alentejo North East, consider spending a day in Ponte de Sor, 25 miles west-southwest of Crato. It is one of the largest cities in the region, building a reputation as an important agricultural center, becoming one of Portugal`s largest exporters of cork and cereals. The large cereal mill in town has been converted to an all-purpose cultural center as a result of gentrification. With this gentrification comes creative minds, who routinely mingle at the Art Deco-style cinema and theater. Other sights include the Igreja Matriz de Ponte de Sor, the Chapel of the Lord of Souls, and the iconic 18th century bridge spanning the Sor which gives the town its name.

Your Last Day in Alentejo North East

Depart your hotel and head to the airport for your return home. We hope you enjoyed the noteworthy sights of the Alentejo`s North East region!