Alentejo by Deb Kleber

With its vast, open countryside and dazzling whitewashed villages, the Alentejo is considered one of the most picturesque regions of Portugal. Extending from the unspoilt beaches of the Atlantic, over undulating plains, through vineyards and cork forests to the rugged hills on the Spanish border, this area is commonly known as the "bread basket" of Portugal.

 

Full of vestiges of the past, the history of the area can be seen in Megalithic sites, Roman remains, Moorish relics, Medieval castles and Baroque palaces. Today it is a very fertile province, producing more than two thirds of the world's total cork supply.

 

With very few exceptions all the major towns are mainly reliant on agriculture, livestock and wood. There are several varieties of excellent cheeses, wines and smoked hams and sausages made in the Alentejo, with marble, cork, olive oil and mining industries being other important activities in the region.

The central region -- with its charming variety of villages surrounding the UNESCO World Heritage City of Évora -- is a perfect base for exploring this peaceful, refreshingly unspoilt region.

 

 

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