Tourism on the rise in Alentejo region of Portugal

While tourism industry has been thriving in Portugal, especially in the capital Lisbon filled to the brim with cultural heritage and in the sunny Algarve, the so far lesser known region of Alentejo has revealed itself as an increasingly popular Portuguese destination. In 2014 Alentejo registered a record number of overnight stays and the highest revenue from tourism ever.

Alentejo (pronounced in Portuguese as “A-leng-THE-joo”) is a Central-South region of Portugal, delimited by the Atlantic Ocean in the west and the border with Spain in the east.

See map of Alentejo region in Portugal.

Much appreciated for its unspoiled nature and low-key atmosphere, Alentejo is also a region of varied landscapes, which include endless olive and cork oaks groves, vineyards, rivers and dams and some of the most beautiful and wild coastlines in Europe. Alentejo’s “sleepy” town and villages surprise visitors with splendid historic monuments and fascinate with unique cultural identity, not to be seen in other parts of Portugal. Alentejo wine and gastronomy are tremendously popular amongst Portuguese and foreign tourist alike. While simplicity sets the tone in Alentejo, the region attracts also upmarket tourism, through a wide offer of luxury accommodation in renovated castles, monasteries and palaces. Alentejo is a place to play golf or cricket, horse ride, sail or go on a wine tour:

See Alentejo weather chart (for Évora).

Record numbers for tourism numbers in Alentejo in 2014
According to the Tourism Promotion Agency of Alentejo, tourism revenue in the region amounted to approx. 250 million euros, of which 20 million euros were generated in accommodation (excluding camp sites and rural tourism, being the latter very popular in the pristine and unspoiled Alentejo). As the Agency pointed out, the number of overnight stays in Alentejo has risen by 25 percent compared to last year, despite the fact that the average spent per night decreased from 49.8 euros in 2013 to 47.5 euros in 2014.

Alentejo holiday in Portugal – car hire
For international tourists, the main gateway to Alentejo is Lisbon Airport, located approx. 130 km / 80 miles from Évora in Upper Alentejo and  around 170 km / 106 miles from Beja Lower Alentejo.

Given the scarcity of public transportation solutions outside of Alentejo’s major cities (Évora, Beja, Portoalegre, Elvas, Sines), car hire from Lisbon Airport remains one of the most convenient solutions for travelling in this region of Portugal.

Compare Lisbon Airport car hire deals online

Holidaymakers heading to Lower Alentejo or the Alentejo coast may also find it convenient to fly via Faro Airport in the south of Portugal.