Postcards from the Alentejo

For long unknown to all but an intrepid few travellers, the Alentejo region of Portugal is getting a lot of media attention in the last couple of years. So it might surprise you that you’re likely to find very few other tourists on a visit to the region, even in the main towns. Whether you’re sniffing out the vineyards, exploring the white-washed villages or wandering along the spectacular coastline you’re likely to have the Alentejo pretty much to yourself.

I travelled here with my wife in September as part of my ongoing work with Sunvil, who hosted my trip. I’ll be writing about our experiences in Portugal on the Sunvil blog – you can take a look there over the next few months to read various Alentejo stories. The first post is about Aldeia da Luz – a remarkable story of a village that moved.

But for now, here are a few photos from our visit that show off the best of the Alentejo region:

Bougainvillea on a white washed wall at Herdade do Touril

Cork tree at sunset, Alqueva lake

Cork trees dot the flat plains of the Alentejo

Stork nests can be found on any suitable perch (and some wholly unsuitable ones too)

Traffic on the road ahead near Aldeia da Luz

Our houseboat – home and transport for two days on the Alqueva reservoir

The new village of Luz – finished in 2002 to house the residents of the old village, now under the Alqueva reservoir

The quaint streets of Monsaraz in the midday heat

Working windmill in the town of Castro Verde

Mansion houses in Castro Verde

Secluded (if almost inaccessible) beach near Zambujeira do Mar on the Alentejo coast