Driving for kilometers through green hills, discovering a medieval castle erected on a rocky peak, stopping in a typical restaurant to taste açorda alentejana… the Alentejo region is a treasure to be discovered from one side to the other. And to make the most of it, here are some suggestions for hotels, B&Bs, retirement places and even holiday homes to stay in.
1/ São Lourenço do Barrocal
Located in the foothills of the medieval village of Monsaraz, near Lake Alqueva, São Lourenço do Barrocal has been in the same family for over 200 years. This former small agricultural village has been transformed into an incredible hotel, where a clever mix of authenticity and modernity flourishes. Surrounded by holm oaks, olive groves and vineyards, it offers a privileged return to the land to all those who pass through its doors for a night, or more.
www. barrocal.pt
2/ Casa No Tempo
Isolated in the countryside, near the village of Sabugueiro, Casa No Tempo awaits its visitors. This century-old farm, which became an ultra-minimalist hotel in the hands of Portuguese architect Manuel Aires Mateus, is owned by the couple JoĂŁo and Andreia Rodrigues. With the desire to preserve this family estate and bring it back to life, they imagined a confidential address, with only four rooms on the clock. For a disconnection in the heart of Alentejo nature, Casa No Tempo is the ideal place.
www.silentliving.pt
3/ Cucumbi
Ode to slow life in the small village of BarrancĂŁo, in the heart of Alentejo, at Cucumbi. This guest house, with its typical character of the region, is the family heritage of the owners, Catarina and ToZĂ©. Renovated with respect for traditions, it reveals a palette of colors and natural materials from the kitchen to the living room, including the seven bedrooms. Their ambition: to live in harmony with nature and respect the environment, both in The layout of the house only at the table, on which only organic products from their own vegetable garden are served.
www. cucumbi.com
4/ Dá Licença
If you are looking for a unique art of living, you have come to the right place! Dá Licença extends over several hills with more than thirteen thousand olive trees, and has a 360º view of the Serra d'Ossa forest. This former olive cooperative spread over three buildings was completely renovated over five years, in collaboration with local architects Procale. And if we rush there today, it's for its XXL volumes with clean lines, its prestigious materials and its eclectic furniture which is a real eye-catcher. The highlight: its art gallery, located in the old wine press, which promotes historic design from Norway and Finland.
www. dalicenca.pt
5/ Casas Caiadas Open House
To discover Casas Caiadas Open House, head to the center of the village of Arraiolo, where Paula and Mário settled in 2020. The historic building on which they set their sights has undergone numerous rebirths before being transformed with them into a house of guests. First a refuge in the 19th century, then a famous bakery, today it retains all the authenticity of its past, mixed with a minimalist and modern design. Built on three levels, it reveals three bedrooms and a suite with a refined and relaxing decor.
www. casascaiadas.com
6/ Villa Extramuros
Imagined by two Parisians in search of nature, Villa Extramuros was born thanks to the collaboration of the properties with the architect Jordi Fornells, of the Voar Arquitetura agency. This cube with modernist lines with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the village of Arraiolos, is a contemporary interpretation of the Mediterranean style. Inside, white marble and local cork coexist. As for the furniture, it gives pride of place to the last 70 decades of design.
www.villaextramuros.com
7/ Casa Na Terra
In the middle of the hills, in the village of Monsaraz, there is an astonishing house. Casa Na Terra is a partly buried building, perfectly integrated into the surrounding landscape. Designed by Manuel Aires Mateus, this concrete-clad retreat has stripped-down interiors, focused on the essentials and beautiful materials. Subtle, silent, but nevertheless warm thanks to the use of wood here and there, the place offers its visitors an exceptional experience to say the least.
www.silentliving.pt
8/ L’AND Vineyards
Ready for a unique retreat in the heart of the Alentejo vineyards? AND Vineyards is one of those addresses that combine luxurious architecture, high-end gastronomy and unique experiences. The interiors, designed by architect Márcio Kogan, play on sobriety, a mixture of natural beauty and tranquility, and recall the surrounding nature thanks to the highlighting of mahogany, beige and a few touches of gold. Not to be missed if you like spaces with surprising designs.
www.l-and.com
9/ Sobreiras
With its 360° view of nature, the Sobreiras hotel combines a simple and elegant design freely inspired by the surrounding landscapes. Just an hour from Lisbon and a few minutes from the town of Grândola, this address with 24 rooms and suites offers a bubble of calm to its guests. The decor, contemporary and neat, mixes wooden architecture, industrial glass roofs and noble materials in perfect harmony.
www. sobreiras.pt
10/ Mount Arneiro
If charming hotels and guest houses are legion in Alentejo, this is also the case for rentals on Airbnb. Like the typical Francisco farm, located on a 120-hectare agricultural estate in the heart of the region. This authentic house, about fifteen kilometers from the beautiful town of Estremoz, reveals white lime walls, raw wooden plank ceilings and stone floors. A neo-rustic aesthetic is right on trend.
www.airbnb.fr
