Walking Holidays in Alentejo | Eurohike Walking Holidays

Coastal hiking trail past wildflowers along the Rota Vicentina

In the region of Alentejo, a calm and relaxed rhythm of life has been practiced for centuries and carries on today. With around 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, the region offers the ideal setting for both active holiday-makers and those seeking peace and quiet.

Typical yucca palms above the bay of Bordeira

Questions and answers about your hiking holidays in the Alentejo

At what time of the year is a hiking holiday in the Alentejo particularly recommended?

Due to the mild climatic conditions, a hiking holiday in the Alentejo is ideal from February to November.

More inspiration and tour suggestions for hiking with the seasons.

Where can you hike in the Alentejo?

Particularly beautiful hiking regions in the Alentejo are located directly on the coast. The route of our walking holiday Alentejo – Rota Vicentina takes you in eight days from the small coastal town of Vila Nova de Milfontes to São Luís inland. You can enjoy the wonderfully quiet hiking paths and fishing trails along the beaches of e.g. Alteirinhos, Carvalhal, Machados and Amália.

Discover more about coastal hiking with Eurohike.

Are there any UNESCO Cultural Heritage Sites in the Alentejo?

Portugal is home to a total of 16 UNESCO heritage sites and one natural heritage site.

The historic center of Évora, capital of the Alentejo region, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986.

What special highlights do you come across when hiking in the Alentejo?

A hiking holiday in the Alentejo not only ensures a pleasant, active break in the fresh Atlantic air, you can also enjoy moments of peace and the wonderful nature of this special region in Portugal on our walking holiday Alentejo – Rota Vicentina. Here you can hike away from the crowds on good hiking paths, sandy paths, impressive routes along the cliffs and through the pristine flora and fauna in the Costa Alentejana Natural Park. Although the Alentejo occupies a third of the total land area of Portugal, the area is home to only eight percent of the total population.

When hiking, you not only explore the impressive Atlantic coast, but also the regional life, the cuisine and much more about the country. You should definitely try the wonderful dishes and specialties based on centuries-old traditions and secret recipes that have been handed down. These include wonderful fish dishes with freshly caught fish from the region such as the barnacles "percebes", the pork with mussels "carne de porco à alentejana" or the typical dish with squid, sweet potatoes and spices "polvo com batata doce". Another delicious dish is the typical peasant dish "migas" made with breadcrumbs, olive oil, garlic and hot water.

Find out more about hiking in Portugal.

Our most beautiful hiking tours in Alentejo

Alentejo – Rota Vicentina

Alentejo – an Eldorado for active nature lovers: hike the spectacular Rota Vicentina along picturesque coastal landscapes, sandy beaches, fisherman’s paths and inland pine forests. Discover the diverse flora and fauna, listen to the sound of the sea and the cheerful tweeting of birds, breath in the scent of delicious aromatic herbs and get to know the hospitality of the Alentejans. On our hiking tours you walk in time with the Alentejan rhythm.

Top attractions in the Alentejo

Cabo de Sao Vicente

The Cabo de Sao Vicente, the most south-westerly point of the mainland in Europe, is particularly spectacular.

Costa Alentejana Nature Park

The Costa Alentejana Nature Park offers plenty of highlights and diverse flora and fauna for nature lovers.

Vila Nova de Milfontes

The historic coastal town guarantees a successful start to our hiking tours and is a real highlight for all culture fans.

Cabo Sardao im Naturpark Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina

What our guests say

"Beautiful landscape, great fauna (storks nesting on the cliffs) and flora, no mass tourism, tranquil places, very good and surprisingly inexpensive food."

Renate S.

"From the first moment to the last day, I was able to enjoy every minute of my holiday thanks to the great planning and organisation by Eurohike. […] Even when I arrived at the hotel at 2 p.m. for a slightly shorter hiking tour, my luggage was already there and I was able to use the room - what a service."

Karin D.

"Everything was very well organised. The accommodation was all different, but all very good. The transfer on day 3 also worked really well. The hiking route is very varied and well marked."

Siegfried E. B.

"Everything is perfectly prepared and organised. Before the tour, on arrival, while you're travelling. The accommodation was carefully selected and everything was perfect: Friendliness, cleanliness and a delicious breakfast, mostly from the sumptuous buffet. Which is also important these days: In accommodation in the smallest coastal village, the Wi-Fi was better than in some major European cities."

Alex R.

Useful information about your hiking holiday in the Alentejo

Did you know ...

Great attention is paid to the maintenance of traditions - For more than 2000 years the traditional handicraft of cowbell making has been practiced here and is regarded as an intangible cultural heritage.
Tradition also plays a role in culinary terms: in the Pastelaria Conventual Pão de Rala in the beautiful town of Èvora (capital of Alentejo and world cultural heritage site), the heavenly delicacies made by nuns, such as the famous almond cake are still offered today.
Customs also find musical appeal in Alentejo – the Cante Alentejo. This special musical tradition is traditional polyphonic singing without the use of musical instruments. The Cante has been on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage since 2014.

Climate in the Alentejo

A true Mecca for all sun worshipers: with 3,000 hours of sunshine a year and an average temperature of around 18 degrees, Alentejo enjoys a calm and pleasant Mediterranean climate all year round. These climatic conditions with Atlantic influences make a hiking holiday ideal all year round. The sun-seeking hikers among you will find the much-anticipated warmth in the usually cooler winter months in Alentejo. In the warmer months, the ocean winds refresh and offer wonderful conditions for an active holiday in Portugal.

Culture and Traditions

An authentic and decelerated lifestyle has been lived by the Alentejans for centuries – in harmony with nature and mother earth. Today, great importance is still placed on the production and use of regional products. The production of cowbells is one particularly well-known traditional goods, which has been manufactured according to unique craftsmanship for more than 2000 years.

The Alentejan cuisine

The dishes and delicacies are based on centuries-old traditions and secret recipes, which have not lost their popularity. The focus is on the use of simple, local ingredients. Taste your way through a diverse selection of ‘petiscos’, small starters with various dishes such as olives, ‘pimentos assados” (roasted, small peppers), or ‘migas’, a traditional farmer’s dish made from breadcrumbs with olive oil, garlic and hot water. Due to its’ location on the Atlantic coast, freshly caught fish and mussels, as well as soups such as cold gazpacho are an important part of the Alentejan cuisine.