Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Portugal - Monsaraz - Belmonte - Alvados
100% customisable for you
Your week-long road trip through central Portugal begins with a speedy two-hour-and-45-minute flight to Lisbon – just long enough for a refresher on your Portuguese. When you land, collect your electric hire car and head towards Medieval Monsaraz, in the Alentejo region.
It might be a charmer in its own right, but Monsaraz is also great for exploring the nearby village of Evora. So, before you arrive at your hotel, pause for a private tour of the UNESCO-listed streets of Evora with a friendly local guide.
Start at the Temple of Diana, undoubtedly the city’s most famous monument. Then, head to the (deep breath) Basilica Se Catedral de Nossa Senhora da Assuncao, which captures the transition between Romanesque and Gothic styles. In the Church of St. Francis, you’ll also find the 16th-century Chapel of Bones, which – true to its name – is decorated with bones and human skulls. Spooky.
Once you’ve been suitably wowed, continue on to Monsaraz, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights.
We hope you’re thirsty, because today, you’re heading to a wine estate in the Reguengos de Monsaraz municipality. Committed to an organic approach, this estate produces some seriously surprising specialities, including traditional amphora wines, made using clay jars.
To learn more about the estate’s wine-making facilities and nearby historical monuments, such as the 15th-century Torre do Esporao, you’ll meet a local guide for a private tour. Afterwards, quench your thirst with a tasting of some of their finest wines and olive oils (not so refreshing but equally delicious).
This afternoon is yours to spend at your leisure, whether that means sunning yourself on a terrace or taking a stroll to grab some sericaia (a soufflé-like Portuguese pudding). Then, when the sky darkens, head out and crane your neck to the skies – thanks to the lack of light pollution, Monsaraz boasts truly beautiful starry nights.
Strap in and crank up the road trip tunes for the three-hour drive to Belmonte this morning, playing I-Spy with the region’s stunning scenery along the way.
When you arrive, check in for two nights at a distinctly charming hotel, surrounded by rolling hills. Once you’ve dropped your bags, it’s time to wine, dine and recline – you are on holiday, after all…
Today is yours to discover beautiful Belmonte, a village which boasts buckets of natural beauty and fascinating history.
Start in the centre, where you’ll find a medieval castle flanked by the remains of an early Christian church. Belmonte is also famous for housing the last Marrano Jewish community in Portugal, which you can learn more about at the Museu Judaico de Belmonte, considered one of the best small museums in Europe.
Nearby, the ancient village of Sortelha features a Medieval fortress and centre, along with a 16th-century Manueline pillory, a wooden frame where the head and hands are locked for public punishments – think tomato throwing and a chorus of ‘boos.’
There are other pillories in Castello Novo (about a 30-minute drive from Belmonte) and Idanha-a-Velha, too. The latter is a modest little town which is also home to a Templar tower, a Visigothic cathedral, Roman walls and a Roman bridge. Anyone sensing a theme?
After a hearty breakfast this morning, hop behind the wheel again and drive to Alvados, a small village in the Parque Natural das Serras de Aire e Candeeiros – no shortage of long-named-locales on this trip.
When you arrive, check in for two nights in a seriously scenic hotel, then head out to explore your new surroundings. Pleasant and picturesque, this is the ideal place to head out on a leisurely stroll or hire a bike (maybe even a fittingly electric one) and indulge in a pre-dinner pedal.
Armed with tickets to the Monastery of Batalha, head out today to explore this UNESCO-listed gem, whose construction began in the 14th century and continued for over 200 years. Today, the building is eerily incomplete, as the construction of the nearby Monastery of Jeronimos put an end to work on Batalha.
Speaking of monastic wonders, it’s also worth visiting the Monastery of Alcobaca, one of the most beautiful examples of the Portuguese Gothic style. This alone is reason enough to visit Alcobaca, but it also boasts the tombs of King Pedro I and Ines de Castro, two magnificent sculptures which tell a devastating love story. Look out for the Last Judgement depicted on the tomb of Ines, and the Wheel of Fortune of the king’s tomb.
If you have some time left, venture on to the Medieval town of Obidos for the winning combo of beautiful buildings and ginjinha (sour cherry liqueur) – ideal for a scenic toast to a trip well spent.
Like all great adventures, your road trip through central Portugal must come to an end today. After one last sun-soaked morning, strap in for the hour-and-a-half-long drive back to Lisbon, where you’ll return your hire car and whizz through security to settle into the lounge before boarding.
Flights to the UK take just shy of three hours, and you’ll arrive home this afternoon, primed to regale friends and family with tales of your eco-friendly excursions in Portugal.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
