Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WORTH A TRIP
ALVITO
Situated only 38km northwest of Beja and 37km southwest of Évora in Baixa Alentejo, beautiful Alvito (popula-
tion 1260) is well worth visiting, for half a day at least. Be aware though, such is its appeal, it's the kind of place
you get to and wished you'd packed your toothbrush (accommodation options abound). The town was the home
of the Portuguese barons; the first baron, Dom João Fernandes da Silveira, decided to make Alvito an artistic
landmark. (The Festa do Barão - Baron's Feast - is held every two years around June.)
You can visit parts of a 15th-century former
castle
, now a
luxury pousada
( 284 480 700;
www.pousadas.pt
; r €270) , and several important
churches
. The 16th-century
Ermida de Sao Sebastião
has
some extraordinary revived frescos.
Throughout the village, you can see beautiful
Manueline features
- pick up a map from the
tourist office
(
284 480 808;
www.cm-alvito.pt
; Rua dos Lobos 13; 9am-12.30pm & 2-5.30pm Mon-Fri, 10am-12.30pm
& 2-5.30pm Sat) and play 'spot the Manueline doorway' (these are stunning).
The community-focused
Rota do Fresco
(Fresco Route; 284 475 413;
www.rotadofresco.com
; Rua 5 de
Outubre 20, Vila Nova da Baronia) arranges fun and informative cultural and heritage tours, including - as the
name suggests - trips to the region's extraordinary historic frescos.
If you decide to stay the night in Alvito, our pick is the delightful
Horta do Padre
(
284 485 400, 961 865
052; Quinta da Esperança, Apartado 16; s/d €25/35; ) , a renovated blue-and-white traditional Alentejan
farmhouse 1km east of Alvito's centre (down Estrada de São Roman), with comfortable rooms and excellent
breakfasts. The multilingual owners, Fernanda and Lino, are passionate about preserving Portuguese traditional
practices and are fountains of knowledge about the region. Best to ring in advance. (If you love it you can con-
sider renting the whole place - eight beds in total).
Eating
Salão de Chá Maltesinhas
( 284 321 500; Terreiro dos Valentes 7; snacks €1-5; 9am-7pm Mon-Fri, 9am-2pm Sat)
It looks like a
smart
pastelaria,
but there's an important difference. It's known for its delicious regional
doces conventuais
(desserts traditionally made by nuns). Try the
pasteis de toucinho,
a de-
licious thin pastry and almond creation with, believe it or not, a smidgen of pork lard.
Worth the pig out.
PATISSERIE
€
Sabores do Campo
VEGETARIAN
€
(Rua Bento de Jesus Caraça 4; lunch & dinner Mon-Thu, lunch Fri; )
This simple place serves 100%
vegetarian food - perfect for those in need of some tasty pork-free tarts, vegetables and
salads. Prices are by weight (€14 per kilogram).
