Top Alentejo Unique Experiences

Watch the sun rise over the scenic landscape of Monsaraz on a hot air balloon flight that takes in medieval villages, ancient Roman temples, golden cornfields, and pretty churches. Celebrate the occasion with an included Champagne toast after touching back down to earth. A ground crew will greet you for transport back to the departure point in Monsaraz.

Go deep into the Alentejo Cork Forest and enter a world that’s rich with plants, flowers, and native wildlife. By traveling in a Landrover, you’ll get to places that would be difficult to find alone. Learn about a family business of managing cork forests, rearing sheep, and running a vineyard. You’ll have a delicious lunch (optional) in a family-run restaurant, and get a chance to purchase handmade cork products. An informative tour that’s enriched by commentary from your guide.

Experience Alentejo’s cuisine over a three course dinner, prepared for you and a small group by a local chef. You’ll learn about the culture through the ingredients used and the way the dishes are prepared and served. You’ll also keep costs down and maybe make a few new friends on this shared, intimate tour (max 12).

Portugal’s Arrabida Natural Park is known for its hidden beaches and stunning scenery, but it can be very difficult to access by land. Get an up-close look with this sea-kayaking tour that takes you beyond the reach of hiking trails to discover secret coastal spots that most visitors miss. Grab your kayaking equipment, and set out with your guide to paddle past some of the region’s most photogenic vistas.

Eating Portuguese food is one thing, mastering the secrets behind it another—and hard to do without an insider’s know-how to guide you. Get straight to the real source of the country’s cuisine on this hands-on Lisbon class with a local cook. Create an authentic Portuguese meal and enjoy your dishes with wine and your host—giving you more time to glean their culinary tips and local cultural insights.

Visit Filipa for a taste of the Alentejo region at her family’s country home in the village of Évoramonte, 30 minutes outside of the town of Evora. Filipa’s food highlights seasonal ingredients and local produce. Her goal is to teach travelers the rustic country fare typical of the region, including the many herbs used in its dishes that she grows in her own garden.