The Alqueva region is a real treasure in the heart of Alentejo for those looking for a place with diverse outdoor adventures, moments of relaxation, and immersion in history and culture. In our opinion, Alqueva is one of the best destinations in Portugal.
In this article, we will explore the best things to do and places to visit in Alqueva, from boat trips to the dark sky and charming Alentejo villages. Alqueva is a must-see destination for anyone who wants to discover Portugal beyond Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve.
Located around 50 km from Évora and Beja and less than 200 km from Lisbon, the Alqueva Lake is relatively easy and quick to access. Considered the largest lake in Western Europe, its shores stretch for around 1,160 km of coastline, offering countless bays, coves, and islands to explore.
Alqueva Map with attractions and things to do
Fun Things to do in Alqueva Map
See the dam itself
Let’s start with the dam itself. Its construction gave rise to most of the current tourist attractions, definitively transforming the entire region.
The construction of the dam was one of the most debated public works in Portugal’s 20th-century history. Although the project dates back to the 1950s, concrete work began only in 1998. In 2002, it began filling up and was inaugurated in 2004.
Creating a reservoir with a capacity for 4,150 million cubic meters of water involved displacing communities, altering ecosystems, and radically changing the entire region.
We must go to the village of Alqueva, Moura, to see the dam itself. It’s an impressive dam, but not as large (it is not particularly high) as expected. The lake is undoubtedly more impressive than the dam.
“On a clear day, you can see forever” is the phrase from the dam’s viewpoint. It’s a beautiful phrase, but we don’t understand the need to use English or the relationship with the dam or the region…
Go to the many river beaches
The creation of such a monumental lake in a region known for drought, sun and heat naturally led to the creation of several river beaches.
During the summer, the beaches are very popular as they allow you to sunbathe, go to the water and relax, in a picturesque and less frenetic environment than on the main sea beaches in Portugal. The water is quite warm and without currents or waves, which makes everything even better and safer.
Combining natural beauty with calm, safe waters, these beaches are ideal places to enjoy a peaceful day with the family, explore new water activities, or simply relax. Furthermore, these beaches have many activities available, as we will explain in detail below.
There are quite a few beaches, but our three favorites are:
- Monsaraz Beach – one of the best-known and most frequented. It offers excellent infrastructure, including picnic areas, natural shade, parking, a beach bar, and surveillance during the swimming season. Perfect for swimming, kayaking, SUP, and other water activities.
- Mourão Beach – charming place, ideal for families and groups of friends looking for a relaxing day by the water. With a playground, shaded areas, picnic tables, and a cafe/restaurant, this beach is an excellent destination for a day of leisure. The beach is on an island connected to the rest of the park by a pedestrian bridge. It is very cool.
- Amieira Beach—Known for its peaceful environment, Amieira River Beach is a good choice for swimmers and water sports lovers. The area is equipped with a restaurant, restrooms, and a boarding pier, facilitating water activities.
Water sports
One of the best things about having a water feature the size of Alqueva is being able to enjoy various water sports, from the most adventurous to the most relaxing.
As the water is calm, warm and clean, it is the ideal place for water sports. Be they calmer like kayaking, Stand up Paddle and pedal boats; or with more adrenaline like wakeboarding, water skiing, etc. Access to the water is very easy in many places, especially on beaches and marinas.
On the best beaches there is an excellent support infrastructure and it is possible to rent boards, kayaks, etc., directly on the beach without needing to make an appointment. But if you have your own material even better.
Although we have never tried it, we are told that it is even possible to practice sailing in Alqueva.
Boat Trips
Besides all the water sports, boat trips are a relaxing way to explore Alqueva Reservoir. There are different types of boats that make various routes along the Alqueva reservoir, from a brief one-hour tour to a multi-hour cruise with guides who explain the history and ecology of the region.
Boats depart from several points: the Monsaraz Nautical Center, the Moura Nautical Station, located next to the Alqueva Dam, the Mourão River Beach, and the Amieira Marina.
Visit Monsaraz
Monsaraz is a charming village in Alentejo, and was even named one of the 7 most beautiful villages in Portugal. It is a beautiful place, with a walled castle and replete of typical Alentejo white houses.
The best way to visit Monsaraz is on foot, in fact, cars are not allowed (except residents). The main attractions are:
- The 13th-century castle with the schist walls that surround the village.
- The main church of Nossa Senhora da Lagoa has beautiful tiles
- The Monsaraz Cistern that was once a mosque, according to a legend.
- The monument in honor of the traditional Alentejo singing located just outside the village, close to the parking lot.
- And the picturesque alleys and houses, with shops, cafes and restaurants.
In fact, Monsaraz is a great place to eat Alentejo food, it has several very good restaurants that serve local food. Furthermore, the village has magnificent views of the Alentejo plains and the Alqueva lagoon.
We recommend that you watch the sunset from the walls, it is a scene that will leave a lasting impression on you.
Astronomical observations in Alqueva
One of the most interesting and memorable activities to do in Alqueva is taking a session of celestial bodies observation with a telescope guided by an astronomer. Alqueva is one of the best places to see stars in the world, with ideal conditions and little light pollution. It has even earned Starlight Tourims Destination certification from the Starlight Foundation.
There are two ways to do an astronomical observation session: through the official Dark Sky Observatory or the Lago do Alqueva Observatory. Both do observation sessions with telescopes with a guide who shows different celestial bodies such as stars, nebulas, planets, galaxies, and asteroids, depending on the time of year. They answer all your doubts and teach you very interesting astronomical facts.
We did a session at the Lago do Alqueva Observatory and we loved it. It took about an hour and the sky was beautiful. The guides were very friendly. There are sessions in English and Portuguese. It’s something I strongly recommend if you are into this sort of thing.
Xerez Cromlech
The Xerez Cromlech is a set of megalithic stones thought to have originated 3 to 4 thousand years before Christ. It is made up of 50 menhirs measuring 1.2 to 1.5 meters in the shape of a square/rectangle around a main menhir measuring 4 meters.
Interestingly, this historical monument was moved. Initially, it was in front of Monte Xeres near the banks of the Guadiana River. With the construction of the dam, the menhirs moved to close to the convent of Orada.
This monument is located close to Monsaraz and is on the way to the river beach. It is easy to visit, and there is parking nearby, taking just 30 minutes. Unfortunately, the site has no information about the cromlech. You can take the opportunity to see the Convent of Orada, which was transformed into a hotel nearby.
São Pedro de Corval Potteries
São Pedro de Corval near Reguengos de Monsaraz is the largest pottery center in Portugal, with more than 20 active artisanal potteries. This strong pottery tradition comes from the fact that there are several clay deposits nearby, which enabled the population to develop excellent Alentejo ceramic pieces.
The village has several stores with Alentejo ceramics, decorative ceramics, others for the kitchen such as platters, plates, cups, and there are nativity scenes. You can find something for every modern or traditional taste.
There is also the Casa do Barro – Pottery Interpretive Center where they explain the history and process of pottery. It’s a great place to buy a souvenir and learn about ceramics. There are pottery workshops, but these are very sporadic and have to be booked in advance.
This is an excellent opportunity to buy traditional Portuguese souvenirs.
Discovering the New Luz
With the construction of the Alqueva Dam, the old Luz village was submerged, so a new Luz was built 2 km from the original. The new village tried to be a replica of the old one, with the same houses and streets, church, other community buildings, including the cemetery, with tombs and bodies.
The village has a museum, the Museu da Luz to document the history of Luz and the process of change having some ethnographic and archaeological objects. Please note that the museum closes on Mondays.
Getting to know and explore the new Luz is intriguing. It is a beautiful village with white houses and organized streets. It is a little deserted, as former inhabitants decided to change location. We recommend that you also take the Luz walkways and explore the road that went to the old Aldeia da Luz that enters the Alqueva lake.
Luz Walkways
The Luz walkways start near the Museu da Luz in Nova Aldeia da Luz. They are only about 700 meters long and go all the way to the anchorage, entering the lake. From the walkways, you have stunning views of the Alqueva reservoir and the village. Although they are not very long, it is a very beautiful and relaxing place. And a great place to watch birds too. When we were there, we had the opportunity to observe several storks.
The area also has a children’s park, has some places to sit and relax and have picnics, and a swing facing the reservoir. It is a very photogenic place. The best time to visit is early in the morning or at the end of the day, as there are few shades, during the day it can be quite hot, and the sunset is beautiful.
Climb to Mourão Castle
Climbing up to Mourão Castle is an activity that is well worth when touring the Alqueva region. It is a fascinating castle built on top of a hill by King D. Dinis in the 13th century to defend the kingdom of Portugal against the Castilians.
It is possible to explore the interior of the castle and walk along the walls, which something we always enjoy. On top of the walls you have a stunning view of the Alqueva lake, the Alentejo plains full of olive trees and the village of Mourão itself with its whitewashed houses.
You don’t need to pay a ticket to visit the castle, but climbing the walls is not possible for people with reduced mobility or those who are afraid of heights. If it’s lunchtime, Mourão is a good place to try traditional Alentejo food, like at the Adega Velha restaurant.
Explore Moura
Exploring Moura is an activity that you should include in a trip to Alqueva, or maybe it could deserve a trip on its own. This city located south of Alqueva is very close to the Alqueva dam, so take the opportunity to visit it when you go to see the dam.
It is a picturesque Alentejo city with an imposing castle and full of small alleys with whitewashed Alentejo houses and full of flower pots. In addition to the castle, you have to visit the mouraria, which was the old Arab quarter, and the Doutor Santiago garden which has impressive views of the Alentejo olive groves. The Olive Oil Museum, also worth visiting, has information about olive oil production and one of the oldest mills in Alentejo.
And the best part is that Moura has one of our favorite restaurants in Alentejo “O Vermelhudo”, where in addition to having quality Alentejo Food the prices are reasonable, thus offering a great quality/price ratio.
Indulge in Alentejo food
Alentejo is one of the best regions to eat in Portugal, so one of the main things to do in Alqueva is to eat as many Alentejo dishes as you can. Furthermore, this region has some very good traditional Alentejo food restaurants. Some of the restaurants we recommend include:
- Sem-Fim: Located in the village of Telheiro near Monsaraz, the restaurant used to be an old oil mill. You can appreciate the old materials used to produce olive oil. The food is delicious, and despite the medium-high prices, the whole experience is very good.
- O Vermelhão: Located in Moura, it has very good traditional Alentejo food and the prices are low. One of the best restaurants in the region, with a great price/quality ratio.
- Adega Velha: Located in Mourão, we didn’t have the opportunity to go to this restaurant, but we have good references for it from friends and acquaintances.
- Taverna Os Templários: Located in Monsaraz, it serves traditional Alentejo food and has a beautiful view of the Alqueva lagoon.
Traditional dishes you must try in Alentejo:
- Açorda: soup made with bread, garlic, and coriander or pennyroyal. It may contain poached eggs, shredded cod, or other ingredients.
- Migas with black pork: made with aged Alentejo bread and hot water. It is fried with fat and seasonings with fried black pork steaks.
- Lamb Stew: It is made with stewed lamb and boiled potatoes and served on slices of bread.
- Sericaia with plums from Elvas: moist sweet made with eggs, flour, milk and sugar, cinnamon and lemon peel, served with a plum in sugar syrup.
- Encharcada: Made with eggs, to which Alentejo bread, ground and soaked in milk, and grated almonds are added.
If you want to know more traditional Alentejo dishes, check out these articles:
When to visit Alqueva
The Alqueva region can be visited throughout the year, offering different things depending on the season. Each time of year has its own charm, and it largely depends on your preferences and what you are looking for on this trip.
In our opinion, the ideal time to visit is in the shoulder season, that is, in spring and autumn. Summer is problematic due to the extreme heat, and winter, although mild, can make some outdoor activities difficult.
- Spring (March to May)
- Climate: Pleasant, with mild temperatures.
- Nature: The landscape is green and flowery, ideal for walking and cycling.
- Activities: Great time for bird watching and photography.
- Summer (June to August)
- Climate: Very hot, often above 35°C or up to 40°C.
- Activities: Perfect for water activities such as canoeing, SUP, pedal boats and swimming. As we mentioned above, the region is a Dark Sky reserve, so the nights are ideal for stargazing. The beaches are open, but it’s also high season, which makes everything less pleasant.
- Autumn (September to November)
- Climate: Temperatures are still pleasant but starting to drop.
- Nature: The landscape begins to change color, offering stunning views.
- Activities: Good time for boat trips and local wine tasting.
- Winter (December to February)
- Climate: Cooler, but rarely really cold.
- Activities: Fewer tourists, which provides a more peaceful and relaxing experience.
- Nature: Ideal for hiking and exploring the area without the heat and abrasive sun of summer
How to get to Alqueva
The best way to visit Alqueva and all the suggestions we give in this article is without a doubt by car, as it gives us all the flexibility and freedom necessary to go wherever we want and take as long as we want.
It is less than 200 km from Lisbon to the Alqueva Region, which can be covered in about two hours. Although it is possible to go and return on the same day, we suggest that you spend at least one or two nights there.
From the Algarve, it is at least 180 km (it could be much more depending on where you are leaving) and takes at least 2 hours. From Porto, the distance is much greater—around 450-500km, which takes more than 5 hours by car.
After arriving in the region, we still have to consider that the distances between each of the attractions are quite large, and there is not much public transport, which makes the car even more important.
If you prefer to visit the Alqueva area on a tour, there are some available, and it is a much more expensive option. For example, this tour takes us to the Évora and Monsaraz, starting from Lisbon/Cascais.
Where to sleep in Alqueva
As we mentioned, the Alqueva region is very extensive, and therefore, there is no shortage of accommodation options. The most popular options are probably Monsaraz and the surrounding areas, as they have plenty of accommodation and present sublime landscapes.
Regengos de Monsaraz is probably the largest city near Alqueva, so it is also a reasonable alternative. It has some restaurants, shops, and bars. The village of Alqueva and the towns of Moura and Mourão are other possibilities.
Below, we leave some suggestions for hotels in the region:
- Herdade dos Delgados, in Mourão – it has an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, and a garden. It faces the Monsaraz castle and the Alqueva Lake, which makes the views unforgettable. See more information here.
- Hotel de Moura, in Moura – This beautiful hotel occupies a historic listed building from the 17th century, decorated with typical tiles. Surprisingly, the prices are affordable for such a beautiful hotel. See more information here.
- Alqueive Guest House, in Alqueva – excellent local accommodation for groups of up to 7 people located in the village of Alqueva. Equipped with everything you need, it is about 5 km from the Dam. Book here.
- Casa Pinto, Monsaraz – is located in the historic village of Monsaraz and features a rustic and curious decor. Its rooftop sun terrace is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of regional wine and relax. Book here.
- Casa Rico Frade Garden, Corval—This surprising accommodation offers very affordable prices and an almost unbeatable price-quality ratio. It has an outdoor pool and hammocks. The rooms are comfortable and have a private bathroom and kitchen. Book it here.
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