Central Portugal and Alentejo Essentials: Luxury, Gastronomy, and Tradition in 7 Days

Transfer from Lisbon

Your adventure begins with a private pick-up at Lisbon Airport or your hotel, travelling in a premium zero-emission vehicle.

Solar-powered boat trip and Templar Castle

The first stop is a peaceful electric boat ride on the Tagus River, accompanied by local cheese, sausages, and wine, leading you to Almourol Castle, one of Portugal’s most enigmatic Templar treasures. Surrounded by water and nature, this is a moment where history and tranquillity intertwine.

Medieval lunch suggestion

Lunch is suggested at Taverna Antiqua, a medieval-inspired restaurant in Tomar.

Guided tour of Knights Templar Monuments

In the afternoon, explore the historic streets of Tomar and the UNESCO-listed Convent of Christ, accompanied by an expert guide who will share legends and insights into the Order of the Templars.

Boutique Hotel Convento da Sertã

Your day concludes at Convento da Sertã Hotel, a former monastery reimagined with contemporary comfort. Dinner features regional flavours at a celebrated local restaurant.

Scenic nature and Schist village

The morning showcases nature at its most scenic: the Moinho das Freiras viewpoint over the Zêzere Valley, followed by the waterfalls and river beach of Fragas de São Simão, tucked within the schist village of Casal de São Simão.

Farm-to-table lunch at the riverside

Lunch in the riverside hamlet of Várzea de Pedro Mouro, where a local chef serves traditional dishes with views of the river.

Dessert "Tijelada" workshop and Sobreira-Formosa schist village

In the afternoon, at the Schist Village of Sobreira Formosa, join a hands-on workshop to prepare the traditional dessert tigelada in a community oven, then enjoy a guided walk through the village to learn about its history and architecture.

A timeless candlelit dinner, just like in days gone by

Dinner is served by candlelight, in rustic style and unhurried rhythm, featuring regional recipes and concluding with the tigelada you baked earlier.

Visit and tasting olive oil farm

After checking out of Convento da Sertã Hotel, the morning begins with a visit to Quinta do Bom Sucesso in Abrantes, a 17th-century manor house where the prestigious Casa Anadia olive oil is produced. Your host will guide you through the magnificent manor and gardens, the extensive olive groves, the olive press, the museum, and the property’s small historic shop. The experience culminates in a guided tasting of superior-quality olive oils that reveal the aromatic complexity of the Ribatejo.

Slow-Food meal

For lunch, enjoy a slow-food meal at Linhal das Meias restaurant, inviting you to pause and celebrate local cuisine.

Boutique Hotel Torre de Palma and wine tasting

In the heart of the Alto Alentejo, in Monforte, the 5-star Torre de Palma Wine Hotel, a benchmark in wine hospitality, welcomes you for a relaxed check-in and a visit to the winery, followed by a tasting of its award-winning wines. The suggested dinner, also at this luxury hotel, is prepared by a Michelin-starred chef.

Guided tour in Alegrete historic village

The morning begins with a guided tour of Alegrete, a charming village of whitewashed houses and typical Alentejo streets, an authentic hidden gem that preserves traces of a rich historical past.

Tapestry Museum

From Alegrete, continue to Portalegre to visit the Tapestry Museum, dedicated to the preservation, study, and exhibition of Portalegre tapestries, a unique and prestigious art form.

Guided tour in Marvão walled village

The journey then takes you to Marvão, one of Portugal’s most beautiful walled villages. After a regional lunch (we suggest a restaurant recommended by the Michelin Guide), enjoy a guided walk through Marvão’s picturesque streets, where history comes alive in every corner.

Horseback ride

In the afternoon, venture on a horseback ride along the Smugglers' Route, crossing oak groves and historic border trails. In the evening, savor regional flavors at a traditional restaurant in Portalegre.

Marble Quarries

The morning is dedicated to the Marble Route in Vila Viçosa, with a guided tour through the breathtaking landscapes of Portugal’s largest marble quarries, where experts reveal the secrets of this noble stone that shaped palaces and churches.

Signature Body Massage

After a lunch of traditional Alentejo cuisine, check in at São Lourenço do Barrocal, one of Europe’s most awarded luxury rural hotels. Signature Body Massage A Susanne Kaufmann signature body massage awaits you an indulgent moment to rejuvenate body and soul.

Guided tour in the Historic village of Monsaraz

In the afternoon, a guided stroll through the whitewashed streets of Monsaraz unveils panoramic views over Lake Alqueva, the largest artificial lake in Europe.

Stargazing session

Following dinner at one of the region’s top restaurants, the day ends with a magical stargazing session at the Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve, an internationally certified starlight destination and one of the best places in the world to admire the night sky

Boutique Hotel São Lourenço Barrocal

Return to Hotel São Lourenço do Barrocal, one of Europe's most award-winning luxury rural hotels

Visit and wine tasting at a bio winning winery

The morning begins with a visit to the famous Herdade do Esporão, one of the most iconic wine estates in the Alentejo.

Lunch at Michelin-starred restaurant

Tasting its award-winning wines and olive oils, among the best in the country, is perfectly complemented by an exceptional lunch at the estate’s Michelin-starred restaurant.

Pottery workshop

In the afternoon, you will be invited to create with your own hands in a traditional pottery workshop. Guided by a local master craftswoman, you will mold clay and produce a unique piece, an authentic keepsake of your journey that you can take home.

Boat ride on Alqueva lake

The day ends surrounded by beauty, silence, and serenity, during a tranquil boat trip on the calm waters of Lake Alqueva, Europe’s largest artificial lake.

Suggestion Farm-to-Table dinner

To close this memorable day, a farm-to-table dinner at São Lourenço do Barrocal celebrates the flavors of the region with seasonal, locally sourced produce.

Hot air balloon flight

Before dawn, you will have the privilege of a hot air balloon flight over Lake Alqueva. As the sun rises, the sky and golden plains stretch endlessly beneath you, a magical, silent, and luminous farewell, capturing the very soul of the Alentejo.

Visit and tasting in bio olive-oil farm

After a well-deserved rest at the hotel and check-out, we suggest a regional lunch in Reguengos de Monsaraz before the final visit, which promises an unusual sensory experience: on an organic farm, you will be invited to taste artisanal olive oils in the shade of a 2,000-year-old olive tree, while learning about ancestral cultivation methods.

Return to Lisbon

The journey ends with a comfortable transfer back to Lisbon, carrying with you more than photographs, rare memories of authenticity, refinement, and sustainability.