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Beja district |
Eat and sleep
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Useful ideas
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Other opinions
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Beja is the least touristy district of the wide area called "Planícies (plains) that covers the southern half of Portugal, excluding Algarve.
However, a few places do deserve the visit, and allow excellent brakes in the trip between Lisbon and Algarve. My preferences: ** Very interesting: Mértola Beja |
* Interesting:
Castro Verde, Odemira, Zambujeira do Mar, Moura, Vila Nova de Milfontes.
With time, Barrancos, Ourique, Mina S. Domingos
Castro Verde, Odemira, Zambujeira do Mar, Moura, Vila Nova de Milfontes.
With time, Barrancos, Ourique, Mina S. Domingos
Beja
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The district's capital is not only its biggest city, but also an interesting visit. Slow growth, and careful preservation, help Beja to maintain his traditional look and living rhythms. A good stop in the way to or from Algarve. |
Ferreira do Alentejo
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This is a small town where millions of people use to pass in the way to Algarve, but rarely stopping. For decades I was one of them, until this year - I needed ti have lunch in the área, and made my first stop. Good lunch, the stop in Ferreira may not be the last one. |
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For decades, Grândola was just a stopping point in the long trip to Algarve, half way from Lisbon and my generally used, central area of Algarve.
The "25th April" made it famous, but didn't change much. The A2 highway did really change, turning it in a... skipped point. Resisting to the decrease of population in traditional areas, like in almost all the Alentejo, it is starting to invest in rural tourism. |
Mertola
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The best stop in the way to Algarve (excluding Évora, that demands an exclusive trip), Mértola is historically rich, with a good landscape. Don't hesitate including it in your trip. |
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Hard to Reach Away from the main roads, and far from the big cities, Moura is a city where nobody passes: either you GO there, or you skip it. What does it has to justify the visit? Well, I've only been there twice and always in a rush, but I remember a good restaurant and, now, the dam. One day, with more time, I will enter the castle. |
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Castle I never visited it. I think that it was being recovered and it is already open to visit, together with an Arab museum. Next time I will dedicate it a brief stop. I'm curious to verify what lasts from a very rich history, with more than one thousand years and many wars. |
Moura, is one of the closest points to visit Alqueva, the dam that is changing Alentejo
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It's interesting the trip inland, along the old mining Alentejo. S. Domingos was one of the biggest mines, now abandoned, where it is possible and interesting to see the scars in the earth. A small dam creates an artificial pond, suitable to swim, and in that traditional heat of the area, how pleasant it may become! |
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Maybe the most "urban" beach in the coast of Alentejo, Vila Nova de Milfontes allows people to choose from the open sea, or the quiet mouths of Mira river. It's mainly used for private housing, and... would you believe that, while I was in vacation in Phuket, Thailand, someone insisted with me, trying to sell me an apartment there? |
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Beaches Vila Nova de Milfontes is mainly a dwelling point to Portuguese. Hardly built with villas and apartments, with a few hotels, it is a family's destination, taking advantage of the calm beaches in the mouth of Mira river. For those preferring stronger emotions the Atlantic coast is rougher, but... colder. |
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Wild Coast Either north or south of Vila Nova de Milfontes, the coast is wild, with dramatic landscapes, and nice secluded beaches. The sea is cold and generally rough, but travelling along the coast is a wonderful contact with nature. |