In the Alentejo, the cold weather invites you to enjoy the region’s varied comfort food, to visit castles and villages worthy of a fairy tale, as well as explore old buildings converted into pousadas. Until spring, the next few months are one of the best times to see this part of the country, which boasts various hotels in Alentejo, which will certainly prove a safe harbour for the trip.
A convent doesn’t have to be austere, especially if you’re staying at Pousada Convento de Arraiolos, which has been renovated to add a 21st-century touch, creating a surprising relationship between the beauty of the two distinct eras. Unsurprisingly, this has meant much greater comfort: a stroll in the old gardens followed by a dip in the heated pool is very soothing. In the nearby town of Arraiolos, old-style alleyways invite discovery, while the unusual wall at the top of the hill offers an impressive sunset.
The end of the day is just as enchanting in Marvão, where the walls embrace the village and the Pousada de Marvão stands tall at an altitude of 860 metres. When winter skies are clear, it offers one of the best views of the traditional white houses and highlands of Serra de São Mamede – particularly in the panoramic restaurant and bar, where Alentejo cuisine is the star.
Another place that combines history with good food is Évora. The town’s various restaurants offer diners a fascinating gastronomic itinerary, from more traditional offerings and sweets to the new signature cuisine. In this city-museum, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can sleep in monks’ cells from the 15th-century, although it’s much cosier than when the original guests stayed here, of course. The Pousada Convento de Évora has been designed to maintain the building’s historical value, creating a place of peace and relaxation, perfect for disconnecting from everyday life.
The idea is pretty much the same at the Pousada Mosteiro do Crato, although that bit closer to nature. In this Gothic monastery, guests can sleep in one of the castle towers or relax in the common rooms between the arcades and carved columns. There’s also the option to stay in the new wing of the building, which overlooks the lovely Alto Alentejo plain, not to mention the chance to relax in the massage room or savour Alentejo cuisine once again.
When it’s cold outside, you can’t beat hot soups and açordas (traditional bread, garlic, egg and coriander dish), meat stews and the eggy desserts. In Vila Viçosa, a wide variety of regional cuisine is available at the Pousada Convento de Vila Viçosa: the restaurant is located in the convent’s old refectory, which serves culinary classics, such as lamb stew, coriander açorda, and bacalhau dourado (golden cod).
These are just a few examples of what the Alentejo’s interior has to offer. That said, if walking on sand and breathing sea air is more your thing in winter, Tróia and Alcácer do Sal are promising destinations. The Pestana Hotel Group’s hotels in the Alentejo offer the ideal world of cosiness this season.