Agriturismo Alentejo

Agritourism provides a completely different experience of travelling. Undoubtedly, one of the best ways to experience nature and be acquainted with local customs and traditions is agritourism. If you choose this type of accommodation, you get to stay in a beautiful rural area, often in a cottage adjacent to a local farmer’s house or a family guesthouse. The houses often come with a farm, orchard, plantation or vineyard on its premises.

Hundreds of years of traditions in agriculture make Portugal the perfect choice for your next trip in Europe. Alentejo is among the biggest producers of cereals, olives and grapes. This is the biggest province in Portugal, making up for 1/3 of the country’s territory, and its biggest agriculture producer – with almost 50% of the production derived from Alentejo’s land.

The nature of Alentejo

In Alentejo, you will find well-preserved natural surroundings and the rest and relaxation you have been looking for! The nature of the region is so varied that you can easily be as active as you like, or completely relax in the pristine surroundings. Plains, mountains, rivers and lakes, beaches and unique wildlife will welcome you warmly!

One of the unique places to visit is the cork forest named Montados. This area is famous as it is home to numerous rare plants and animals. Montados is also the largest cork forest in the world, mostly covered in cork oak – a specific species that is typical for the Mediterranean latitudes. The history of this forest is long and the locals often refer to it as the heart of Alentejo. The cork material is renewable, therefore the locals preserve the trees carefully, so that they can continue making anything from wine bottle seals to space rocket linings with the cork.

Lagoas De Santo André E Da Sancha Nature Reserve is another amazing place to visit. It follows the coast of Alentejo and is a remarkable area of natural oasis. The ecosystem of this nature reserve is stunning – Lagoas de Santo André is home to numerous fish, eels and thousands of bird species, which take shelter on its dunes in between seasons.

Naturally, the coastline is the pearl of this region, which is why we are emphasizing its beauty! Sudoeste Alentejano E Costa Vicentina is another nature park along the coastline. In fact, this is the best-conserved Atlantic coastline in the country. Take a trip to the park to discover its protected land – almost a hundred kilometers of 30 different habitats, protecting at least 100 rare species of plants. Of course, we cannot skip to mention the panoramic views. On top of the gigantic cliffs, the sight is as scary as it is thrilling!

Activities

You can enjoy a variety of activities in Alentejo, starting with the water. Almost any beach location or port offers dolphin watching, surfing and windsurfing, canoeing and kayaking, diving and snorkeling, sailing and fishing. All of the nature parks and protected areas have a well-developed trail network suitable for one or multiple-day trips. You can also use a mountain bike and explore the area in an adrenaline-boosting way!