Planning a road trip through Alentejo? Here is what to visit, from historic villages and castles to beaches and wide-open landscapes. The answer depends on how much time you have, but there are historic villages, beaches, castles and landscapes that deserve a place on your itinerary. 

The best way to explore the region’s most beautiful and hidden spots is by car. In summer, temperatures can be very high, so plan your stops carefully and carry water with you. Even so, we would say the journey is well worth it. With the freedom and convenience offered by Xtracars, your adventure through the plains and endless Alentejo roads will be memorable.

What to visit in Alto Alentejo: Évora, Marvão and Castelo de Vide

In the Alto Alentejo region, Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986, should be part of your route. Often described as an open-air museum, its origins date back to Roman times and it still preserves many cultural and architectural features from that period.

Narrow streets, squares, historic corners and churches form part of a rich and varied itinerary. Park outside the city walls and explore the historic centre on foot, taking your time to enjoy the city.

Still in Alto Alentejo, make your way to Marvão and Castelo de Vide, two towns located close to each other. In Castelo de Vide, explore the village on foot within its walls. Visit the castle and take in the views over the surrounding landscape.

In Marvão, the scenery takes on another dimension. From the castle walls, it is easy to understand the phrase attributed to José Saramago in Journey to Portugal: "From Marvão, you can see the whole land.”

 

 

Places to visit in Central Alentejo: Monsaraz and Arraiolos

Castles are part of the Alentejo landscape, which is why some of the suggested towns and villages are enclosed within walls. Monsaraz, located in central Alentejo, is a perfect example. Stroll through the whitewashed streets within the walled village. From the top, the view opens out over Lake Alqueva and the Alentejo plains. Arrive by car and leave it outside the walls before exploring the village on foot. By Lake Alqueva, if the weather allows, take the opportunity to swim or relax in the sun.

Not all visits in Alentejo take place within walls. In Arraiolos, the castle dominates the village, which spreads out around it. One of the highlights is "O Tapete está na Rua”, an event dedicated to the famous Arraiolos rugs, with displays throughout the village streets. You can also visit the circular castle, from which you can identify the most important points of the village, including its squares and churches.

Your road trip through Alentejo continues south towards Mértola. Park and explore the village on foot, with the Guadiana River as a backdrop. Mértola appears perched on a steep rocky outcrop, giving it a unique identity within the region. Beyond its beautiful views, there is much to admire: cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, winding alleyways, steps and narrow lanes that create an almost medieval atmosphere, as well as the Mértola Museum, which highlights the village’s archaeological heritage. 

After a scenic drive in an Xtracars vehicle, this is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the tranquillity of the town, crowned by its castle.

Serpa also deserves a stop. Within its walls, the town reveals a rich architectural heritage, ideal for exploring on foot. The Church of Santa Maria, the Palace of the Counts of Ficalho, Serpa Castle, the arches of the Serpa Aqueduct and the Clock Tower are excellent examples of the architecture that defines the town.

On the coast, begin with Comporta, located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Sado estuary, surrounded by dunes, pine forests and rice fields. It is one of the most sought-after stops along the Alentejo coastline. It is one of the most sought-after stops along the Alentejo coastline, a charming destination that invites you to stay for a few days and enjoy its long sandy beach and calm waters. In the centre of the small village, visit the local Cultural Centre, the Rice Museum and Herdade da Comporta.

Still in the region, travelling by car, you will come across the Carrasqueira Stilt Pier. Built several decades ago to allow small fishing boats access at low tide, it is now one of the most photogenic spots in the region.

From Comporta, continue south until you reach Vila Nova de Milfontes. Set by the sea, on the northern bank of the Mira River, it is one of the most popular holiday destinations on the Alentejo Coast.

Vila Nova de Milfontes offers both sea and river beaches, making it an even more appealing stop. There are also restaurants with sea views, riverside walkways and trails for walking, mountain biking, quad biking or horse riding — ideal for those staying a few days. Add to this its charming whitewashed streets, which make the village even brighter. It is an essential stop for anyone wishing to explore the Alentejo along the Atlantic coast.

 

Most towns and villages on your route will have cash machines, but they may be scarce in smaller locations. However, as they can be scarce, some cash machines may be out of service or unavailable. We therefore recommend carrying some cash with you, which will also be useful for payments in restaurants and other services that may not accept card payments.

Restaurant opening hours are another point to check, especially in smaller towns. Some restaurants may not open for dinner, and online schedules are not always up to date. While Google does provide schedules, these do not always match reality due to the flexibility of individual owners.

Distances between locations can be considerable, so plan longer journeys carefully, especially at night when services are more limited.

Travelling through Alentejo also means discovering a cuisine shaped by simple ingredients and rich flavours. Throughout your road trip, you will find traditional restaurants, taverns and small wine cellars where you can taste some of the region’s best-known dishes. Among the most popular specialities are migas alentejanas, açorda, lamb stew, black pork and regional cheeses, often served with Alentejo bread and local wine.

Along the Alentejo coast, particularly in places such as Vila Nova de Milfontes or Comporta, fresh fish and seafood take centre stage. Razor clam rice, seafood cataplanas, grilled octopus and the catch of the day are among the highlights served in restaurants overlooking the Atlantic. Further inland, in towns such as Évora, Serpa and Mértola, the cuisine becomes heartier and more connected to rural traditions, with olive oil, cured meats and aromatic herbs playing a leading role.

During your Alentejo road trip, make sure to discover the region’s traditional desserts as well. Convent-style pastries can be found in many towns and villages, including specialities such as sericaia, cheesecakes, pastéis de toucinho and pão de rala. Whether in a small walled village or by the coast, Alentejo cuisine is an essential part of the travel experience, turning every stop into an opportunity to savour the identity of the region.

Alentejo is a vast region and many areas are not served by frequent public transport. Travelling by car allows you to explore more places with greater freedom and comfort.

With Xtracars, you can rent your car entirely online and travel with ease: vehicles include GPS for simple navigation throughout the region, as well as a toll service that only needs to be activated at the station. This solution ensures convenient motorway travel without any additional concerns.