Activities:
Activities: Choose between the beaches of the quieter west coast and the more populous Algarve. There is plenty opportunity for golf, fishing at the close by Barragem do Monte da Rocha, swimming, boating, horse riding, local fairs, bird watching, hiking, historic and archaeological sites, local craft centres, vineyards and many local gastronomic treats to sample.
For birders the steppes of Alentejo are the favoured habitat of many rare, sought-after species including: Great and Little Bustards, Lesser Kestrel, Blackbellied Sandgrouse, Red Kite, Montagu’s Harrier, Stone Curlew, Short-toed and Calandra Larks among others. The LPN (nature protection league) has a reserve near Castro Verde which offers bird tours and photographic hides. For booking enquiries send an email.
Garden birds at Monte Cerro include White Stork, Corn Bunting, Azurewinged Magpies and Short-toed Eagles.
Beaches, Local Specialities and Weather:
The West coast's many beaches are 50 kilometres away, about 45 mins/1 hour's drive. The beaches are much less crowded than those found in the Algarve. Particularly in the off-season you can have a beach to yourself. The nearest Algarve beaches are 75 kilometres away, about an hour's drive. There are many beaches to choose from as well as a host of restaurants, shops and other amusements
Local Specialties: Alentejo wines are highly rated as are its Olive Oils. A local specialty is Proco Preto (black pig). Local food and drink is cheap and of good quality as it features local, fresh produce. Local bread, fruit, honey and cheeses make a wonderful light meal. Aguardente de Medronho is a local brandy made the fruit of the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo).
Weather: Alentejo's climate is wonderfully mild. During summer months temperatures are routinely around 35?C during the middle of the day, and from May until September, the long evenings are warm enough to eat outside.
Travel:
International Airports: Faro (FAO) is a one and a half hours drive away. Lisbon (LIS) is around two hours by car. There are a good range of car hire companies at both these airports.
Train: Funcheiro Railway Station is 2km from nearby Garvão (5km) where trains to Lisbon, Faro, Beja and Evora can be found for day trips.
Sea Ferries: There are no ferries to Portugal from England. The nearest route would be to Santander or Bilbao in Spain followed by a drive down through Spain or Portugal
Ourique - 10km: Supermarkets, Restaurants, Archeological sites;
Castro Verde - 25km: Bird reserve; 16th Century Hermitage;
Beja - 65km: Moorish Castle; Cathedral; Museums; Roman Villa;
Vila Nova de Milfontes (on the coast) - 50km: Quiet beaches;
Algarve Coast – 75km: Beaches; Tourist entertainment;
Monchique - 65km: Hot springs; Spas;
Evora – 145km: Roman ruins; Museums;
Faro – 115km: International Airport; Shopping malls;
Lisbon – 200km: International Airport
Other Activities:
birdwatching,
