Things to do in

Alentejo

Explore the history of Portugal on a full-day tour of Évora and the Megaliths of the Cromeleque dos Almendres. Following a pick-up from your hotel in Lisbon, transfer to Évora, historic capital of the Alentejo. Explore the UNESCO classified city center, seeing sights from Roman times to the Renaissance. Go to the Temple of Diana, thought to date back to the 1st century AD. Continue to the Renaissance Church of St. Francis to see the Chapel of Bones (Capela dos Ossos). Marvel at walls covered in human skulls and bones. Wander around Évora Cathedral, and climb its roof to admire the golden plains surrounding the city. Depart Évora for the Roman Villa of Tourega, far off the tourist path. Continue to the Anta Grande do Zambujeiro, the largest and most important megalith dolmen (tomb) on the Iberian Peninsula. Along the way, check out the smaller dolmen of the Anta da Tourega. End the day with a tour of the Almendres Cromlech. Older than Stonehenge, the megalithic complex reveals some of the secrets of ancient civilizations and their knowledge of astronomy. Marvel at the circle of stones, mysteriously aligned with the sun and stars.

The farm you will visit is a paradise for walkers, ramblers and wine lovers. Imagine exploring this world of rolling hills, cork forests, olive groves and vineyards in a landscape occasionally broken by a medieval fortress or an abandoned chapel. For six generations, the family owners have made a living on the 1,400 acre estate in the Alentejo by sustainably managing cork forests, rearing sheep and making fine wines. You're invited you to join to share the joy of their lives and see the beauty of the surrounding countryside. Nature-lovers and birdwatchers will not be disappointed. With luck, you might see or come across an Egyptian mongoose, a bustard, a wild boar,  a hoopoe, a bee-eater, a booted eagle or many more species. On arrival you will be introduced to your guide, who is a local archaeologist and conservationist. Start with a nice cup of tea, coffee or cool refreshment. Then your guide will take you on a beautiful 2-hour Jeep tour into the deepest parts of the cork forest. During your tour/safari he will explain to you everything about the cork trees, cork cycle (cork stripping, cork storage, cork manufacturing). You will also learn about local fauna and flora, honey production, vineyards, Iberian pig fattening, olive groves and all the farm activities. When you return to the farmhouse and visit the shop where you can find the finest products it has to offer (cork handicraft, biologic olives and olive oil, honey and of course their wines). Later, have a cork stripper's traditional three-course meal in a quiet family-run restaurant. After this, it will be time to go home, but with the best memories of the Alentejo.

Set off on your full-day tour from Lisbon and discover one of the most scenic parts of Portugal's countryside. Make your way through Alentejo with its magnificent plains filled with olive trees, vineyards, and cork oaks. Make your first stop at Évora, a Unesco World Heritage site and one of the most beautifully preserved medieval towns. Take a guided tour inside the Roman Temple, one of the best preserved Roman structures on the Iberian Peninsula. Your guide will also show you around the must-see Chapel of Bones. Take time to admire the ornate architecture of the Cathedral of Évora. Your second stop will be the graceful medieval village of Monsaraz, one of the oldest in Portugal and built within the walls of a castle. Taste one of the best wines in Portugal with the views of one of the largest artificial lakes in Europe. At the end of a full day of sightseeing, return to Lisbon.  Treat yourself and your family or friends to a private experience with pickup and drop-off at your accommodation in Lisbon, Cascais, or Ericeira. Alternatively, you can opt for a small-group experience and meet your guide outside one of two central hotels.

Visit Évora, a Portuguese town classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a full-day tour from Lisbon. Évora is sometimes referred to as the "White City" and also "City Museum," because it dazzles its visitors with lush architectural and artistic monumental churches, historic squares, white houses, and narrow medieval streets. Évora invites you to discover a city that is synonymous of mix of cultures; from the Romans to the Arabs, Jews to Christians, all its traditions and expressions are clearly present here. On your small group trip to Évora, you will be picked up from your Lisbon hotel at 8:30 AM before setting out. After arrival, make your way to the historic city center. Évora was taken from the Moors and went on to become one of the most prosperous cities of the kingdom, especially during the Avis Dynasty (1385-1580). Next, visit the Roman Temple of Évora, often referred to as the Temple of Diana. It is a Corinthian-style temple, built in the early first century A.D. Continue on to the Chapel of Bones. It is a chapel located next to the Church of St. Francis, and its walls are all lined with human bones. After lunch, visit Évora Cathedral. This is a Romanesque-Gothic building and you can climb to the towers and go to the roof where you have amazing views over the city and the countryside. After leaving the city, continue to visit a wine farm, Here visit the facilities and learn about the manufacturing and packaging of wine. Then enjoy a wine and olive oil tasting (not included). On your way back to Lisbon, pass by Arraiolos, located about 12.5 miles (20 kilometers) northwest of Évora. Visit the castle and the church of "Senhor dos Passos." Then learn about the famous Arraiolos carpets, wool rugs embroidered with the stitch of the same name, on a jute cloth made of cotton or linen. The knowledge of this craft has been passed from generation to generation in Arraiolos. You will return to Lisbon around 5:00 PM.

Discover the secrets of Western Algarve on a full-day guided tour in an SUV. Drive along the Vicentine Coast and enjoy panoramic views of pristine beaches. Leave the bustle of the southern coast behind and visit the Southwest Alentejo Natural Park. Get picked up at your hotel by your driver and guide. Relax in a comfortable SUV as you head to Western Algarve for sightseeing off the beaten path. Begin by exploring the serene beaches of Amado and Carrapateria. Discover landscapes worn by millennia of crashing waves from the turbulent Atlantic, against a backdrop of dramatic cliffs. Then head to Southwest Alentejo Natural Park, and drive along the Vicentine coast from Vila Nova de Milfontes to Burgau, some 80 kilometers of coastline. The final stop is the ancient town of Aljezur, guarding a grand Moorish castle for a trip back through time.

Visit some of the most fascinating and picturesque locations in the Algarve on this full-day guided tour. Explore off-the-beaten-track gems giving you an in-depth view of Portugal’s past and present. Travel to the town of Silves, in Moorish times the capital of the Algarve. Here, visit the Moorish castle and admire magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. Continue to the impressive cathedral and explore the narrow streets and alleys. Next, head up to the Monchique mountain and admire the scenic hillsides and eucalyptus groves. Arrive at the charming village of Caldas de Monchique, with springs famous for their healing properties. From here, follow the winding road to the highest point in the Algarve – Fóia – standing at 902m above sea level. Take in the dramatic views and capture spectacular photos. Next, make a stop in the small village of Marmelete and enjoy a traditional lunch in one of the local restaurants. After lunch, travel to Costa Vicentina and visit some beautiful beaches. Enjoy free time to relax on the shore or explore the area. Next stop: Cape St. Vincent. Immerse yourself in the wilderness and breathe the fresh Atlantic air of the most southwestern point of Europe. Marvel at the cliffside lighthouse that defies the elements and hear the fascinating history from your guide. Finally, visit Sagres, a quaint fishing village nearby, and explore its sheltered fishing port.

Explore the cultural tapestry of Évora, capital of the province of Alentejo, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Passing through a rustic landscape of olive and cork trees, journey 81 miles (130 km) south of Lisbon to reach the outer vineyards of this well-preserved treasure. Walk through the whitewashed Old Town to visit Évora's most famous landmark, the Roman Temple. Its large Corinthian columns date back to the first century, the era of Emperor Augustus. Another breathtaking stop will be the Cathedral of Évora, one of the most important Gothic monuments in Portugal. Then we'll head to Saint Francis Church with the "Bones Chapel", or Capela dos Ossos, which is completely decorated with human bones. Don't miss the University of Évora, a former Jesuit college built by Cardinal-King Henrique in 1559. Afterwards, stroll through Évora market to admire the colorful and tasty ingredients used to create some of the Portugal's most marvelous dishes. In the afternoon, head to the Herdade do Esporão (near Reguengos de Monsaraz) to visit an important wine cellars in Portugal. Toast the day with a taste of fine wines.

Cross the Vasco da Gama Bridge - the longest in Europe - for the start of this full-day private tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Évora, admiring the winelands and plains of the Alentejo along the way. Upon arrival in Évora, circle the medieval walls and enjoy a pleasant walking tour of the old city, stopping at the most iconic sights, such as the Chapel of Bones (Capela dos Ossos), where the interior walls are covered with human skulls and bones. Next door is the huge Gothic edifice of the Igreja de São Francisco (Church of St. Francis) with its Manueline entrance and spiral spires. Marvel at the Roman Temple, one of the most significant Roman ruins in Portugal with well preserved columns and Corinthian capitals. You will also see the University of Évora, the 2nd oldest university in Portugal, housed in a former Jesuit college. Next, go to the Cartuxa Wine Cellars to sample the wines of the Alentejo. After some free time for lunch, drive back to Lisbon, stopping en route at the Medieval Castle of Palmela. Admire the views of the surrounding vineyards and hills. Before your arrival back in Lisbon, enjoy the views of the Cristo Rei statue, and enter the city via the historic 25th de Abril Bridge for yet more impressive panoramas of Lisbon.

You will travel south from Lisbon crossing the 25 de Abril bridge, and the landscape will begin to change after getting to the Alentejo region. The olive and cork trees, the immense plains, the golden soil, the blue sky… Alentejo will overflow your senses! Firstly, on the tour, you will visit to the Almendres Cromlech, a testimony of pre-historic Human presence in Alentejo.  Next the city of Évora counts thousands of years of history. You will explore the city highlights and discover its one thousand and one stories. You will appreciate the beauty of this magical city. The city holds a historical centre and is a total surprise. Inhabited since time immemorial, it is still possible to appreciate Roman remains, surrounded by medieval buildings. You will observe the historical centre, the Cathedral and the Bones Chapel. Thereafter, you will visit Monsaraz, a beautiful medieval village at the top of a plateau, where you will be able to see the Alentejo magical plain. Discover the joys of Alentejo, the enchanted region of Portugal! Full itinerary is 10 hours. Hotel Pickup; Almendres Cromlech; Evora: Historic Centre; Evora: Roman Temple; Evora: Cathedral; Evora: Bones Chapel; Lunch: Free Time; Monsaraz; Hotel Drop-off.

This tour is designed for history lovers and will show you the city’s varied collection of historic landmarks. After relaxing on the trip (1 hour 30 minutes) from Lisbon to Évora, you reach this UNESCO World Heritage city. You'll be transported back to Roman times, then past the Moorish occupations, all the way through the middle ages, and then back to today's Portugal. You'll discover the history of the Roman Temple, often incorrectly referred to as the Temple of Diana. You will also enter the famous Sé Cathedral, the largest medieval cathedral of Portugal. It was built between 1186 and 1204 and was only finished to its final beauty in 1250. Your guide will show you the cloister, basilica and then you will go all the way up to the rooftop to have a fantastic birds-eye-view over the whole city. Then you will explore the creepy Bone Chapel, with its carefully arranged skulls and bones of about 5000 people that cover the walls and columns. It is supposed to make visitors reflect on the inevitable facts of life and death. Make sure you look up at the inscription on the entrance, which reads: "We bones that here are, await for yours." As well as the above sites, you'll also have the chance to stroll along the Giraldo Square and discover many other historic details of this city and see the locals way of life. Not to forget, you should try some of the simple local gastronomic specialties if you get hungry. At the end of the tour, you'll be driven back to Lisbon.