The Alentejo & the Algarve in 10 Days
A private self-drive journey off the beaten track: fortress towns on the Spanish border, a hidden Jewish quarter, the river town of Mértola, and two coastal hikes to the caves of Benagil, your hotel, rental car and own MLH roadbook all taken care of.
You have ten days; we will show you the Portugal most visitors never reach. From the moment you collect your car to the moment you hand back the keys, the days are yours (a fortress on a granite crag, a quarter that has kept its medieval Jewish street names, a coastal trail with the Atlantic on one side and nothing but flowers on the other), arranged so that all you have to do is turn up and enjoy it.
The shape of the journey
Lisbon & Marvão
Collect your rental car on arrival and drive north-east into the Alentejo, your own MLH roadbook riding along: about two and a half hours to Marvão, a fortress village perched on the highest point of the Serra de São Mamede, its narrow lanes barely wide enough for two. Settle in for two nights.
Marvão & Castelo de Vide
The morning in Marvão itself: the keep for the view into Spain, the granite lanes, the gothic vaults and wrought-iron balconies of a village built to be defended. In the afternoon, Castelo de Vide, ten minutes away, and one of Portugal's best-preserved Jewish quarters: streets that still carry their medieval names, doors that still show their mezuzah niches, a town of white walls and thermal springs.
Into Elvas
South to Elvas, its star-shaped bastioned fortifications among the largest of their kind in the world, UNESCO-listed. A full day to take the town at its own pace: the Amoreira aqueduct, the longest in the Iberian Peninsula, and the old town within the star. Settle in for three nights.
Estremoz
A day trip to Estremoz, the white town, its marble quarries and thirteenth-century keep watching over orange-tree-lined streets and quiet squares. Return to Elvas for the night.
Évora
A day trip to Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage city where time seems to stop: the Roman Temple, columns standing two thousand years; the fortress cathedral, the largest in Portugal; and the unsettling, unforgettable Chapel of Bones. The old town is walkable, no car needed once you arrive.
Alqueva, Monsaraz & Mértola
An early start south: the Alqueva dam, the largest reservoir in Europe, then Monsaraz, a fortified granite village above the water, one of Portugal's oldest settlements. In the afternoon, into the Guadiana Natural Park, before arriving at Mértola as the light softens, your home for the night at the river's edge.
Mértola & into the Algarve
A morning on foot in Mértola, park the car and let the white lanes lead you: the parish church that still holds its mosque's floor plan and mihrab, the castle keep over the river confluence, a small circuit of museums spanning five thousand years. In the afternoon, south to the Algarve, settling in near Lagos for the final three nights.
Aljezur & the Costa Vicentina
A morning in Aljezur, a small Moorish-founded town of white houses on the wild west coast. Then an easy circular hike of about ten kilometres through the Costa Vicentina Natural Park, starting from Bordeira beach: cliffs, dunes and wildflowers, with the Atlantic doing most of the talking.
The Seven Hanging Valleys
The Algarve's most celebrated coastal trail: from Praia da Marinha toward Vale Centeanes, cliff paths threading past the Alfanzina lighthouse and the sea cave of Algar de Benagil, seen this time from above rather than by boat. Allow the better part of a day; the trail is clearly marked throughout.
Until next time
An unhurried last morning, one more look at the ocean. Drive to Faro to return your rental car in good time for your flight.
Everything taken care of
In your private journey
- A rental car for the whole journey, with your own MLH roadbook
- Two nights near Marvão, three near Elvas, one in Mértola and three in the Lagos area, breakfast included
- Two marked coastal hikes, at your own pace
- The days shaped to your style and pace
From the border hills to the sea
A country house near Marvão, a rural hotel near Elvas, a riverside guesthouse in Mértola, and a resort hotel in the Lagos area for the final stretch, breakfast each morning throughout. Should you prefer something more refined, or a particular address you have in mind, simply tell us. We will tailor the stay to suit you.
Tailored to you
There is no off-the-shelf price, because there is no off-the-shelf journey. Tell us your dates, how many you are and what you love (fortress towns, quiet history, or a coastline best seen on foot), and we will send a tailored proposal, accommodation, rental car and all. A shorter or longer version, with more time to simply be still by the sea, is always possible.
Questions, answered
How difficult are the two coastal hikes?
Both are rated easy, on well-marked trails: the Costa Vicentina loop near Aljezur is about ten kilometres, roughly three and a half hours; the Seven Hanging Valleys near Benagil is longer, around six hours there and back, but never technical.
Do we need to drive ourselves?
Yes, this journey is entirely self-drive, with your own MLH roadbook as your companion: maps, timings and our picks for every stop. If you would rather not drive, we can shape a version of this journey with a private driver instead.
Is Marvão worth the detour, this far from the coast?
Yes, and it sets the tone for everything that follows. A hilltop fortress town on the Spanish border, with a preserved Jewish quarter next door in Castelo de Vide: the Alentejo at its quietest and least visited.
What kind of accommodation is it?
A country house in Marvão, a rural hotel near Elvas, a riverside guesthouse in Mértola, and a resort hotel in the Lagos area, all with breakfast. If you would prefer something more refined or a particular address, tell us and we will tailor it to you.
Can you arrange this for a family or a larger group?
Yes. Tell us your numbers and we will tailor the whole journey, accommodation and all.
Let's plan your journey
Tell us when you would like to come and who is travelling. Your travel designer will shape the ten days around you and send a tailored proposal.