Paths through Alentejo: 7 Days of Luxury, Authenticity, and Sustainability

Transfer from Lisbon

Your journey through Alentejo begins with a pick-up at the airport or your hotel in Lisbon, from where you will travel in a high-end electric vehicle, ensuring comfort and sustainability from the very start. As you leave the city behind, the landscape transforms into open fields, olive groves, and vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see – a harbinger of Alentejo serenity.

Visit, touch and smell aromatic and medicinal herbs

The first stop is at Be Aromatic, a farm cultivated with absolute respect for the rhythms of nature. Here, you will be welcomed with a guided tour that reveals the secrets of growing aromatic and medicinal herbs organically and regeneratively. Farm-to-table herbal lunch, Salverde Experience invites you to explore, touch, and smell plants such as lemon verbena, rosemary, and peppermint, while learning how aroma is transformed into care, health, and flavor. Many of these plants will feature in the dishes served at lunch.

Boutique Hotel Herdade da Malhadinha Nova - Relais & Châteaux

In the early afternoon, you will continue to the heart of the Alentejo plain, where you will check in at Herdade da Malhadinha Nova, one of the most prestigious luxury wine tourism estates in the country. This five-star hotel, a member of Relais & Châteaux, offers a concept of sustainable luxury in complete harmony with the surrounding landscape.

Visit and wine tasting

Here, you will be invited to explore the property on a guided tour of the vineyards and the contemporary winery, followed by a tasting of four estate wines, accompanied by stories about the terroir, the native grape varieties, and the passion behind each harvest.

Suggestion of Michelin Green Star

To end the day, we suggest dinner at the estate's own restaurant, awarded a Michelin Green Star. In an atmosphere of discreet sophistication, the farm-to-table cuisine offers seasonal and organic dishes, inspired by the land and its cycles, celebrating the purest, freshest, and most authentic aspects of the Alentejo. A first night that sets the tone for the entire trip: refinement, authenticity, and communion with the land.

Visit of the Aljustrel Mining Park

he morning begins with a guided tour of the Aljustrel Mining Park, where you will immerse yourself in the mining history that dates back to pre-Roman times. Among galleries, imposing machinery, and memories of a community shaped by ore extraction, you will discover the profound connection between people and the land. This moving industrial heritage is now reinterpreted as a testament to resilience and identity. For lunch, we suggest a regional meal at Taberna Ismael, a local institution where traditional flavors are served without haste and with genuine hospitality. Migas, pork, stews, and convent desserts tell the culinary story of the Alentejo, passed down through generations.

Chapel Nossa Senhora de Aracelis

In the afternoon, you will ascend to Nossa Senhora de Aracelis Chapel, one of the the highest points in the region, where the views open to a sea of cork oaks, rolling hills, and the endless sky unique to Alentejo.

Ioga, picnic and Alentejo singing

It’s here that one of the trip’s most special moments unfolds: a holistic and sensory experience blending nature, gastronomy, wellness, history, and culture. The experience begins with a guided yoga or meditation session in the open air, surrounded by centuries-old cork oaks and the undulating silence of the hills. In a state of serenity, you will then be guided through stories and legends that bring the landscape to life, from ancient pagan rituals to episodes of the region’s oral history. Next, an exquisite picnic allows you to taste the most authentic flavors of the land: warm Alentejo bread, virgin olive oil, artisanal cheeses and sausages, freshly picked fruit, and local herbal infusions. Everything is served with elegance, simplicity, and deep respect for the origin of the ingredients. As the sun begins to dip below the horizon, the most emotional moment of the day arrives: the ancestral sound of Alentejo singing. The powerful, harmonious voices of local singers rise in the twilight, in an intimate performance that celebrates the collective soul of the region. A profound experience that connects you to the land and its people in a way that will stay with you long after the journey ends.

Visit to a Roman heritage village

After checking out of Herdade da Malhadinha Nova, the journey continues toward the ancient heart of Alentejo, where Roman heritage and millennia-old winemaking traditions remain alive. The first stop is the Roman village of São Cucufate, one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in the region. Accompanied by an expert guide, you will explore the remains of the ancient Roman agricultural villa, where you can still see the living quarters, granaries, and systems for producing wine and olive oil.

Amphora Wine Interpretation Center

Soon after, you will visit the Amphora Wine Interpretation Center in Vila de Frades, where you will learn how the Romans produced wine over two millennia ago, a tradition that survives to this day. This living heritage, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, continues to be practiced in local wineries with knowledge and respect for the past.

Amphora wine estate visit and Lunch

Next visit will be at Adega Gerações da Talha, a benchmark for the new generation of producers reviving this tradition with passion and excellence. The visit includes a detailed explanation of the winemaking process in clay amphorae, followed by a tasting of their natural wines and a regional lunch, served in the relaxed atmosphere of the winery.

Boutique Hotel São Lourenço do Barrocal

In the middle of the afternoon, the destination is the exclusive São Lourenço do Barrocal, one of Europe’s most awarded rural luxury hotels. The property extends across hundreds of hectares of vineyards, olive groves, and dirt roads. After check-in, you may rest, enjoy the pool overlooking the countryside, or simply read under an ancient olive tree. The discreet elegance, absolute comfort, and connection to the land make this hotel a true sanctuary.

Suggestion of Farm-to-table meal

For dinner, we suggest a farm-to-table meal at the hotel restaurant, where everything served comes from the estate or certified local producers. The seasonal menu is designed to highlight the natural flavors of each ingredient, in an experience of refinement and authenticity.

Fabricaal woll factory

The first visit is to Fabricaal, a traditional wool factory, where you will observe the artisanal production process of typical Alentejo blankets, from ancient looms to hand-finishing touches—an art passed down for generations. You will also have the opportunity to purchase original pieces in the factory shop.

Historic village of Monsaraz

The route then leads to Monsaraz, a historic village suspended above the Alqueva, where you will enjoy a guided tour of its narrow streets, centuries-old walls, and striking viewpoints. The guide will share stories and legends of this walled village, highlighting its strategic role throughout history and its carefully preserved architectural heritage. For lunch, we suggest a meal at a local restaurant with panoramic views of Lake Alqueva, where traditional Alentejo cuisine is subtly reinvented in each dish.

Visit and taste Gin Distillery

The afternoon continues with a visit to a gin distillery, where you will be welcomed for a guided tasting of artisanal gins. It is an experience of olfactory and gustatory discovery, combining botany, innovation, and tradition.

Boat trip on Alqueva lake

At the end of the afternoon, the setting couldn't be more perfect: a boat trip on the calm waters of Lake Alqueva at sunset. On board, you will be served local wine, accompanied by artisanal cheeses and sausages. As the boat glides smoothly across the mirror-like waters, you will gain a new perspective on Monsaraz and the vastness of what is Europe's largest artificial lake. A moment of contemplation, pleasure, and deep connection to the land.

Suggestion: a regional dinner in Monsaraz

To close the day, we suggest a regional dinner in Monsaraz, at a renowned restaurant where a welcoming atmosphere is paired with the authentic flavors of Alentejo cuisine, prepared with time and passion.

Pottery workshop

The day begins with a traditional pottery workshop in the heart of the Alentejo plains, led by a local master potter. You will get your hands dirty and create your own piece on the potter’s wheel, following ancestral techniques passed down for generations. Your piece can later be sent to your home after firing and finishing, becoming a tangible and unique souvenir of your Alentejo visit.

Suggestion of "Farm-to-Table" lunch

By late morning, the journey continues to Évora, where we suggest a “farm-to-table” lunch at a charming restaurant. In a rustic yet refined setting, you will taste dishes that honor the authentic flavors of Alentejo, prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients from local farms and gardens.

Évora´s World Heritage Site

The afternoon is dedicated to exploring the museum-city par excellence, Évora, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Accompanied by a certified local guide, you will visit the city’s main monuments: the enigmatic Chapel of Bones, the imposing Temple of Diana (a Roman ruin in the heart of the city), the Church of São Francisco, and the winding streets and squares of the historic center, which reveal centuries of history, culture, and spirituality. An immersion into the soul of Évora, told by those who know it best.

Imani Country House Hotel

At the end of the afternoon, you will be welcomed at Imani Country House, a refined boutique hotel on the city’s outskirts. Surrounded by olive groves and centuries-old gardens, it is the perfect place to relax after a day full of discoveries.

Suggestion of local ingredients restaurant

For dinner, we suggest a gastronomic experience at one of the city’s most iconic restaurants: Fialho, a temple of Alentejo cuisine, where tradition is served with mastery and authenticity in a warm, family atmosphere.

Sustainable cork oak and prickly pear farm

The first stop is Pepe Aromas, where you will enjoy an immersive experience that combines nature, sustainable agriculture, and innovation. The Natura Experience takes you on a walk among olive and prickly pear trees, learning about regenerative farming methods and seasonal harvests. You will touch, smell, and taste the products directly from the land, in a true sensory connection to the territory.

Wine visit, tasting and light lunch

Next is the Mainova winery, an innovative and sustainable project that blends high-quality wines with ecological practices and contemporary architecture. The guided tour of the vineyards and facilities reveals the entire production process, from grape to bottle. The visit ends with a light, elegant lunch paired with wines, prepared with local ingredients and served in a relaxed setting overlooking the estate’s rolling vineyards.

Visit Arraiolos Rug Interpretation Center

The afternoon continues in Arraiolos, a village famous for its hand-embroidered rugs. At the Arraiolos Rug Interpretation Center, you will take a guided tour that unveils the history and techniques of this centuries-old craft, a symbol of Alentejo identity. You will discover the patterns, meanings, and gestures that transform wool and needle into true works of art.

Returning to Évora

Returning to Évora in the late afternoon, we suggest dinner at a regional restaurant where authenticity meets creativity in a warm and elegant atmosphere. A perfect meal to end another day of discreet luxury, tradition, and connection to the land.

Visit and tasting at a Biological Olive oil farm

The last day of this trip through Alentejo begins under the sign of tranquility. After checking out of Imani Country House, your first destination will be the organic farm where “Amor é Cego!” olive oil is produced, on the outskirts of Évora. You will be welcomed by the producers and invited to discover the artisanal process of olive oil production, from the olive tree to the mill. The visit culminates in a guided tasting of extra virgin olive oils, held in an absolutely unique setting: in the shade of an olive tree that is over two thousand years old, whose grandeur and serenity symbolically encapsulate the essence of this entire trip—connection to the land, timelessness, and truth. The experience also includes a light lunch, prepared with organic and seasonal products, served outdoors, weather permitting. Each flavor reflects the territory, each ingredient has a story.

Return to Lisbon

With a full heart and awakened senses, you will then make your comfortable return to Lisbon. The journey ends here, but you will carry with you the most precious treasures the Alentejo has to offer: time well spent, authentic flavors, memorable landscapes, and a deep sense of peace and harmony. Note: If any of the accommodations mentioned in the itinerary are unavailable, an alternative of the same quality and refinement will be provided, in keeping with the standards of Immersive Journeys.