Region in Portugal
Alentejo
White villages, cork oaks and storks perched on chimneys
About the Alentejo
The Alentejo is the largest and quietest part of Portugal. The landscape consists of rolling grain fields, olive groves and endless rows of cork oaks, dotted here and there with whitewashed farmhouses with blue trim. Along the coast lie long, unspoilt beaches, and around Alcácer do Sal, the River Sado winds its way through rice fields and marshland.
For young families, the Alentejo is a place to slow down. The distances are long, but the roads are quiet, and the accommodation is often small-scale quintas with large grounds where children can run about freely.
Why go on holiday to the Alentejo?
A holiday in the Alentejo means experiencing the authentic Portuguese countryside. You’ll see stork’s nests on poles and church towers, sheep beneath the cork oaks, and, in the evening, a starry sky the likes of which you hardly ever see at home. For young children, that’s enough to keep them entertained for days on end.
At the same time, you’re never far from something fun. It’s about an hour’s drive from Lisbon; the coast is within easy reach; and towns such as Évora and Alcácer do Sal have charming squares where you can dine al fresco in the evening whilst the children run about.
Go stork-spotting in the Alentejo. In spring and summer, you’ll find large nests on almost every tall pole, chimney or church tower, often with chicks inside. Children love counting them whilst out for a drive or a walk, and you can hear the clattering of their beaks from a long way off.
Around Alcácer do Sal and Setúbal, you can also take a boat trip on the River Sado, which is home to a pod of dolphins. Do make sure to choose a short trip if you’re travelling with a toddler.
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