We're open on Monday at 9:15 AM 020 8568 4499 020 8568 4499

Get in touch

Close

DON'T DELAY, secure your 2025 holiday today

Marvao Marvao

Take a drive through the Alentejo region of Portugal and it’s hard to imagine the area as a war zone. Storks’ nests hang precariously on telegraph poles, goats stand idly under cork tree, making the most of the only shelter available from the midday sun. And people go about their business at a gentle pace, passing the day outside traditional cafes. Even drivers in the Alentejo mercifully ignore the fast-paced, horn-tooting behaviour for which the drivers of southern Europe are so notorious.

And yet much of rural Portugal was at one time an active battlefield. The Moors took control of the area in the 9th century, before the Christian Reconquest in the 12th century. After that, the Spanish and Portugal were trading blows while at the same time carving up the world in their colonial conquests. And it is in this climate of animosity that a whole series of fortified towns sprung up across the country, particularly along its hilly border with Spain.

One of the highlights of a trip to the Alentejo is the chance to explore these walled towns and cities, which are now popular tourist attractions as well as an important part of Portuguese heritage. Perhaps the most spectacular, and certainly one which offers splendid views, is the hilltop town of Marvão .

In the north-east of the Alentejo and only a few kilometres from the Spanish border, Marvão is named after Ibn Maruan, a Muslim ruler from the Moorish times. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the town was an important base for Christian soldiers as they regained control of the region. Marvão today is a perfect walled town, a shining example of conservation and restoration.

Visitors park outside and below the walls, and then climb up the steep paths which lead to Marvão’s heart. From the fort at the top of the town, the views stretch out in all directions, eastward to Spain and south across the empty Alentejan plains. Standing at this windswept lookout point (the wind provided a welcome cooling touch when we visited), it’s hard not to be impressed by the people who built this hilltop fortress. Below on all sides leading down to the plains is a sharp craggy landscape; the task of dragging quarried rocks up to Marvão would have been no easy task.

If you follow the other visitors, you’ll climb to the top of the fortified walls and admire the views. You can wander along a large section of the wall, before exploring the narrow lanes which just about separate the white-washed houses. Within the old buildings are a few cafes and restaurants which offer uncomplicated traditional produce from the Alentejo. Fuelled by migas or bacalhao, you’ll be ready to tackle those old walls and streets again and experience the magical changing light across the far-reaching landscape.

You can visit Marvão as part of the Pousadas of the Alentejo itinerary, and stay at the Pousada de Santa Maria within the old town walls. The major advantage of staying in the town is that when the day-trippers have left, you’ll have the narrow streets and alleys pretty much to yourself for an evening stroll. Weather permitting, the sunset from the lofty fortifications across the plains is worth the stay alone.

The Sunvil Family

By The Sunvil Family

28th January 2015



The Sunvil Family
The Sunvil Family
The Sunvil Family

Sunvil's holidays are designed by passionate travellers just like you. Our reservations experts and product teams, many of whom have been with us for many years, are passionate about our destinations and, through their personal, first-hand knowledge can answer any questions that you may have. They are well qualified to advise and recommend, based on your own holiday criteria. We can point you to those special, little-known places, some not found even in guidebooks.

Call one of our experts to discuss your next holiday with Sunvil on

020 8568 4499

We're open on Monday at 9:15 AM

Make an Enquiry

Please use this form to request further information about a Sunvil holiday or destination.

We promise that a member of our specialist reservation teams will reply personally to your holiday enquiry before 5.30pm if received before 12.00pm (Monday to Friday). Enquiries received after 12.00pm will be replied to within 24-hours (excluding Sundays).

If your enquiry is of an urgent nature, please telephone our dedicated reservation teams on the numbers listed below.

Our lines are open from 9.00am to 5.30pm Monday-Friday and from 9.30am to 4.30pm Saturday.

  • Greece: 020 8758 4758
  • Cyprus: 020 8758 4759
  • Portugal, the Azores, Spain, Italy, Sicily and Scandinavia: 020 8758 4722
  • Latin America: 020 8758 4774
  • Marketing: 020 8758 4731

Required Information

* Mandatory Information
Title *
First name *
Surname *
Telephone number *
Alternative telephone number
Email address *
Confirm email address
Preferred method of communication *
If you would like to be called during a specific period, please specify

Details

Preferred departure date *
Duration *
Preferred UK departure airport *
Party size *

Back

  • Adults(12+ yrs)
  • Children(2 to 11 yrs)
  • Infants(Under 2 yrs)
Budget range
Other comments:

Email newsletters

 

We promise that a member of our specialist reservation teams will reply personally to your holiday enquiry before 5.30pm if received before 12.00pm (Monday to Friday). Enquiries received after 12.00pm will be replied to within 24-hours (excluding Sundays).

If your enquiry is of an urgent nature, please telephone our dedicated reservation teams on the numbers listed below.

Our lines are open from 9.00am to 5.30pm Monday-Friday and from 9.30am to 4.30pm Saturday.

  • Greece: 020 8758 4758
  • Cyprus: 020 8758 4759
  • Portugal, the Azores, Spain, Italy, Sicily and Scandinavia: 020 8758 4722
  • Latin America: 020 8758 4774
  • Marketing: 020 8758 4731

Required Information

* Mandatory Information
Title *
First name *
Surname *
Telephone number *
Alternative telephone number
Email address *
Confirm email address
Preferred method of communication *
If you would like to be called during a specific period, please specify
Booking reference number *
Alternatively, please enter your query in the box below:

Email newsletters

 

Thank you for your enquiry

Thank you for your enquiry. A member of our specialist reservation teams will be in touch shortly.

If your enquiry is of an urgent nature, please telephone our dedicated reservation teams on the numbers listed below.

Our lines are open from 9.00am to 5.30pm Monday-Friday and from 9.30am to 4.30pm Saturday.

  • Greece: 020 8758 4758
  • Cyprus: 020 8758 4759
  • Portugal, the Azores, Italy, Sicily and Scandinavia: 020 8758 4722
  • Latin America: 020 8758 4774

Your details have been saved

Feel free to continue to browse the site and add to your enquiry. Don't forget to send the enquiry before you leave!

My Suitcase

We understand that so much choice can be overwhelming which is why we have developed 'My Suitcase'. This facility allows you to save and compare your favourite holidays, and even allows you to return to your selection at a later stage.

Why not use 'My Suitcase' to compile a wish list of your future Sunvil holidays?

 

Sign in


New to Sunvil?

Create Account

 

Already have an account?

Password reset

Back

Close

Close