The New Tuscany. This is how Alentejo region is often proudly named by its local inhabitants. And there are many reasons for that. You will find yourself miles away from hectic traffic, stress and high tempo, surrounded by amazing and mostly untouched nature. So doesn’t it make Alentejo a perfect place for your holiday getaway?

1. It’s one of the least touristic sides of Europe

Portugal is a beautiful country with many amazing places to explore, but if you are searching for something unspoiled and less touristic, you will probably fell in love with Alentejo. The name Alentejo literally means “land beyond the Tagus”. It is still one of the least-developed and least-populated regions in western Europe, therefore you will not find there any touristic resorts or big hotels. Just pure nature, cute little towns, empty roads and the most breathtaking landscapes.

The government of Portugal, after a painful lesson of how touristic and noisy Algarve has become, put in place very strict land rules in Alentejo to protect it. It is not allowed to build anything in the coastline and if you do, you need to follow really requiring rules. This made it really hard for any big investors to change this area into a touristic place, and left Alentejo pure and wild.

2. The coast is lined with spectacular beaches

The beaches of Alentejo face the open Atlantic to the west, so they give you this special feeling of freedom and wildness. The coastline  is full of glorious beaches for any taste. Wide and long sandy beaches, stony beaches with impressive cliffs, calm bays, wavy surfers spots or nudists beaches. You have the whole variety.

The choice is enormous hence you can easily find some wild spots and have miles of pure and beautiful beach only to yourself. You can change the beach every day with a guarantee you will always find something new and unique.

3. Alentejo region is a surfers’ mecca

The coastline of Alentejo is well-known for offering countless opportunities to find proper and amazing waves for surfing. Beaches there are considered to be one of the best in Europe and offer ideal surrounding to enjoy this water sport.

The many and long beaches are perfect for surfers of all levels. You can situate yourself in safe conditions so you can learn to surf and catch your first wave or you can enjoy more challenging places if you are already an advanced surfer. At many of the spots you can find affordable surfers schools and surf boards rentals. So not a surprise that Alentejo is called a surfers’ mecca.

4. It’s a home of outstanding Portuguese wines

The Alentejo region covers about a one-third of Portugal, and winemakers in the remaining two-thirds can often be heard to complain about the popularity of Alentejo wines. Today Alentejo region is renowned for red blends, which are as warm, generous and easy-going as its people. There are eight wine subregions of the Alentejo that are entitled to the Alentejo DOC designation. Therefore you will find there a great variety of wines and beautiful vineyards to visit.

An interesting facts about Alentejo wine is, there is a prison located close to Com

porta town, where prisoners are producing wine. And what more, their product has been recognized and rewarded as one of the best wines in the whole Portugal. The prisoner’s winery has a shop, where you can stop by and make some tasty shopping.

5. Delicious and cheap food is available almost everywhere

High quality, cheap and delicious food does exist. And you will easily get it in Alentejo. No matter if you find yourself in a small village, one of the Alentejo towns or basically in the middle of nowhere, certainly you will be served an amazing food.

Creativity and imagination in using very simple ingredients has made Alentejo cuisine a surprising mix of flavours. The food is neither peasant nor sophisticated, but rich with ingredients such as sheep’s cheese, black pork, salt cod and vegetables. Towns have their own specialities, such as peppery olive oils or egg-yolk based desserts. But what is the most important, the rich individuality is the key ingredients that makes Alentejo cuisine so special.

6. Locals are the kindest and most welcoming people

Portugueus people are very well known from their kindness and amazing hospitality. And there is no difference when it comes to residents of Alentejo region. You will never be left without help, warm greetings or kind invitation. No matter if the person speaks your language or not.

Alentejo people are warm hearted, polite and very proud of the place they live in. They know how to enjoy life and no craziness of this world can change their attitude to life. They take time with everything they do and are never in a hurry. This is why there is a saying that developed over the time about Alentejo life speeds – slow, very slow and stationary.

7. Alentejo region is a camper friendly place

Planning a camper van tour? Certainly, no better place to go than Alentejo. Many beach areas are camper friendly, roads are empty and camping rules are pretty flexible. But above all, camper van allows you to find and stay in some spots you would probably never go to. You can easily come very close to most of the beaches and legally park your van there. If you prefer more organized spots,  you can also use one of the well developed camp sides available alongs the coast.

Check the Complete Guide to Camper Trip Through Alentejo for all the information and tips how to find the most beautiful spots accessible with camper van.

With love,

Betty