Out and About:
Vila Nova De Milfontes, 'Where time is in no hurry' is the nearest coastal resort and offers lots of different activities including short boat trips on a gaily-painted 'viking' boat up the beautiful river Mira enjoying stunning views and close access to flora and fauna, some of which are now very rare in the rest of Europe. Also a short drive north of Milfontes takes you to the pretty fishing harbour (O Canal) where the little local fishing boats bob in through a perilous-looking set of rocks to land the excellent fish and seafood sold in the nearby restaurants.
Or you could choose quiet beaches, without any development, where you have to take your own picnic, and enjoy large areas of soft white sand, or head for the other more visited beaches of coastal towns like Zambujeira do Mar and Porto Covo. Here are a wide variety of bars and restaurants to choose from, many specializing in local fish and marisco (seafood) dishes, as well as little craft shops for souvenirs etc.
Culture:
If you are looking for culture the Alentejo Litoral area has, especially in summer season, plenty to offer. Each village has its ‘festa’, mostly a procession of the local saint or version of ‘Our Lady’ along a prettily decorated route on which the local ladies spend vast amounts of time preparing festoons of brightly coloured paper flowers, followed by a ‘bailie’, traditional live Portuguese music event at which everybody dances, often till very late at night or into the next morning.
The town of Sines hosts a world music festival every summer, with bands performing inside the castle or on the beach or down at the quaint sea-side village of Porto Covo. The nearby town of Odemira organises open air jazz-evenings throughout June in the lovely park of Fonte Ferrea – you cannot beat sipping a glass of wine or dining out under the stars to the sound of some of Portugal’s top jazz performers!
Santiago Do Cacem offers the stunning Roman ruins of Mirobriga.
Activities:
Ideal for walking along a myriad of pretty paths from gentle strolls to more rigorous tracks in the picturesque hills of the Serra Do Cercal or down to the lakes and baragems. Also many coastal paths giving ample opportunities to view the rare birds and other flora and fauna unique to this unspoilt landscape.
Other Activities:
kayaking
