Explore historic and beautiful pathways on our walking tours of the Alentejo- one of Portugal’s hidden gems! Here you will find a rich, diverse landscape with ancient monuments hidden in the beauties of nature. Exploring tranquil walking tracks you will feel a world away from everyday life and are unlikely to bump into other walkers. During each walk you will be accompanied by a friendly and knowledgeable, local guide who can tell you about the history, culture and flora and fauna of the region. We currently offer guided and self guided walking tours of the Alentejo.
Guided Walking Tours of the Alentejo
Alentejo: Castles in the Air
The Alto Alentejo is little known but a treat to walk through with a rich rolling landscape covered with groves of cork, chestnut and olive trees and carpeted in spring with wild flowers. Come and find out why it is recommended by the National Geographic magazine as one of the best places to visit in the world! Situated on the Portuguese – Spanish border in the Serra de Sao Mamede, the fortress towns of Castelo de Vide and Marvao remain almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, their castles are magnificent monuments to former bloody battles. This group walk will allow us time to explore the true beauty of the area before moving south to the tiny medieval village of Terena. The countryside here is very different and we will alongside the Lucefecit lake and to the extraordinarily picturesque walled town of Monsaraz. The next Alentejo Castles in the Air walking holidays start on April 20th and October 15th 2016 and cost €910 euros per person including accommodation, meals, transfers and an experienced group leader. Single room supplement €140.
Walking in Paradise
This guided walking holiday focuses on the history of the Alentejo including visits to the UNESCO world heritage site city of Evora, the mediaevel villages and castles of Monsaraz, Evoramonte and Valongo and the megalithic monuments. During your stay you'll not only visit these historical site and explore hidden hiking trails but the guides will also take you to local cafes, artisans and wineries. Accommodation is at a lovely farmhouse guesthouse where traditional charm meets modern comforts! The walking in paradise tour is available all year round, except for July and August and starts from €384 per person for a 3 night tour or €885 for a 7 night tour. Prices vary depending on the number of participants and include accommodation, picnic lunches, dinners and an experienced group leader. Single room supplement applies.
Alentejo Discovery
This guided tour introduces you to the diversity of the Alentejan countryside from the famous, historic city of Evora to the quiet beauties of Serpa and Mertola "in the middle of nowhere". During the walks around Evora, as well as the attractions of the city, you will also be walking past small, picturesque farms, cattle pastures and many cork oaks while in Serpa you can enjoy the wilderness of the Guadiana riverbank which contrasts dramatically with the plains planted with grain crops and olive groves. To add a little extra flavour to your days we have also included olive oil and wine tasting, wonderful gastronomy and enthusiastic, local guides.This walking tour can be taken all year round, except for July and August and is €1456 per person if a minimum of 4 people book or €1938 per person if a minimum of 2 people book. Prices include 7 nights' accommodation, 5 picnic lunches, 7 dinners and an experienced group leader. Single room supplement €230. You can book the tour for any dates subject to availability, July and August are too hot to walk!
Castles and Beaches Walking Tours
Enjoy two sides to the Alentejo! This Alentejo walking tour starts by exploring the inland Alentejo where you will visit medieval castles and villages, the gorgeous city of Evora and tuck in to the fabulous local gastronomy. You'll be walking along isolated tracks where not a lot of people go so you have the feeling that nature is all yours! On the 4th day we'll drive to the coast to explore a completely different landscape: the wild Alentejo Coast. You'll be overwhelmed by the endless views, the rough sea and the contrast between the blue ocean and the colourful rocks. Each day is different and if you pick a guided tour, our guides are friendly, knowledgeable and from the region. They know the area, our history and our way of living and will ensure you get the most from your trip.
The castles and beaches guided walking holidays will run regularly in 2016 or can be organised especially for your group. It costs €1206 per person with a minimum of 4 people on the tour or €1894 per person with a minimum of 2 people on the tour. Single room supplement €241. This includes accommodation, 5 lunches and 5 dinners, wine and cheese tastings, support car on the coast, transfers, and an experienced group leader.
Heritage Trail: Lisbon, Sintra and the Alentejo
New! This guided walking tour is a fantastic introduction to Portugal's history, culture and natural beauties. The first day's walk is a half day guided walking tour through Lisbon's historical city centre with free time in the afternoon to also explore the city on your own. On the next day we head to Sintra to appreciate the romantic woodland trails and picturesque streets and palaces of this world UNESCO site before lunch on the beach. On the 3rd walking day we will drive to the natural park of Arrabida for hiking trails through true Mediterranean environment mixing vineyards, cork tree forests and dramatic ocean views over steep limestone cliffs. After lunch there is time to enjoy the beach, a swim or a stroll along the shore and we will visit a local winery for wine tasting. The next day from a farm guesthouse near Evora we walk along a 16th century aqueduct, built in the 16th century,past small farms and beautiful tranquil scenery to Evora another UNESCO world heritage city. Here there is time to admire the impressive monuments, have a drink at a lovely square and visit the surreal Bone chapel. At the end of the day, there is a walk to a local winery for wine tasting. This is followed by an Alentejan cooking lesson! On the 5th walking day we set out for the gorgeous hilltop village of Monsaraz. As you walk along the quiet trails below the hilltop castle is always in view and finally we will conquer the castle and be rewarded by stunning views over the Alqueva lake. In the warmer months we can finish with a swim or a canoe trip in the Alqueva lake. The next day we walk along the lovely river Degebe to discover, at the end, the surreal castle of Valongo, built in the middle of nowhere. There are fantastic views all the way, to either the immediate surroundings or the endless Alentejo rolling hills, the walk finishes back at the pretty water mill of Alcaide.
The heritage trail guided walking tour will run on 7th to 14th November and 12th to 19th December 2015 and regularly in 2016- please contact us for full dates. It costs €959 per person with a minimum of 4 people on the tour or €1333 per person with a minimum of 2 people on the tour. Single room supplement €205. This includes accommodation, 2 picnic lunches and 2 dinners, wine tastings and pastries, transfers, and an experienced group leader.
Self Guided Walking Tours of the Alentejo
Several of the tours above are also available as a self guided walking tour. The tours can be taken at any time although changes may be necessary in the summer season due to hotel restrictions and we don't recommend walking in July and August because of the temperature.
The Walking in Paradise tour costs €275 per person with a minimum of 4 people on the 3 night tour or €774 on the 7 night tour or €301 for a minimum of 2 people on the 3 night tour or €851 on the 7 night tour. Single room supplement €113 (3 nights) or €263 (7 nights). This includes accommodation, dinners, transfer between accomodation and the walk start points, a map and detailed walking notes.
The Castles and Beaches tour costs €771 per person with a minimum of 4 people on the tour or €1088 per person with a minimum of 2 people on the tour. Single room supplement €241. This includes accommodation, 1 dinner, transfer between Evora and the coast, a map and detailed walking notes.
Please contact us for a full brochure or with any question regarding the walking tours in the Alentejo
Practicalities of Walking in the Alentejo
We are happy to email you full details of any of our walks.
Travelling to Northern Portugal: The closest airport to the Alentejo is Lisbon, but you can also reach the area from Faro airport. Please note that it gets very hot in the Alentejo in the summer so we do not recommend walking in July or August. If you're interested in a longer walking holiday many of our tours can be easily, and interestingly, combined to show you different aspects of the Alentejo.
Please use this form to contact us for more information about any of our holidays or about walking in the Alentejo in general.
Thank-you for your interest in walking tours of the Alentejo- we hope to see you soon!
Links to more information about Walking in Portugal
General Information about walking in Portugal
Other walking holidays in Portugal with this company
All walking holidays in Portugal
Read other travellers' stories about walking in Northern Portugal
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