Standing stones older than Stonehenge, the Roman temple and the Chapel of Bones, and a tasting at the home of Pêra-Manca.
A first taste of the Alentejo, in a full day from Lisbon. It begins among the standing stones of the Almendres Cromlech, continues to Évora, with its Roman temple and Chapel of Bones, and ends with a tasting at the Cartuxa winery. Entry fees and the tasting are paid separately, and your driver does the driving.
The day, stop by stop
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Cromeleque dos Almendres
In a cork oak woodland near Évora, dozens of granite standing stones form a large oval enclosure, raised in the Neolithic, well before Stonehenge. Some still carry carvings you can spot if you look closely. The site is open and peaceful, and you can walk freely among the stones. The last stretch of road is unpaved, but the car gets there without trouble. Come early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the low light picks out the stones and there are fewer people.
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Évora
Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage city, packs a Roman temple, a cathedral with a rooftop terrace and the Chapel of Bones, in the church of São Francisco, into one compact centre. In between are whitewashed lanes, arcades and Giraldo square, a good place to pause. Entry fees are paid separately. Your driver drops you by the walls and picks you up wherever suits you. Wear comfortable shoes, and at lunch try Alentejo cooking, such as black pork or one of the bread-based soups.
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Photo: Adega Cartuxa Adega da Cartuxa
Cartuxa is the winery behind Pêra-Manca, one of Portugal's best-known wines, and it sits right on the edge of Évora. The visit takes you through the old cellars and ends with a tasting of the estate's wines, and there is olive oil made on the property too. Visits and tastings are booked ahead and paid separately. Pair it with a morning in Évora and leave the driving to us, so you can taste without a second thought. Bring a light jacket, as the cellars are cool.
The essentials
- Duration
- 8 h · Full day
- Pick-up
- At your hotel. The final price depends on where you are staying; we confirm it when you tell us.
- Included
- The car and the driver, only for your group, tolls and water.
- Not included
- Entrance tickets and meals.
- Who it is for
- First visit to the Alentejo.