Historical hilltop towns of Portugal

This impressive Pousada, originally built in 1268, was a Franciscan monastery and is centrally located in the city of Beja. Today, after major repair and restoration, the Pousada Convento de Beja provides comfortable lodgings in a splendid centuries-old structure which still retains its former chapter house and cloister dating back to the 1300’s.

Accommodation

• 35 air-conditioned rooms, converted from the original monastic cells, including standard rooms and one suite
• All rooms have a bathroom (bath or shower), hairdryer, telephone, cable TV, safe deposit box and minibar
• Superior rooms are larger than the standard rooms
• The suite has a designated seating area

Amenities/Leisure

• Buffet breakfast
• Restaurant serving an excellent choice of regional cuisine.
• Bar
• Lounges
• Complimentary WiFi in the public areas.
• Snooker table
• Terraces
• Lift
• Outdoor swimming pool (13 x 13m) open Jun-Sep
• Tennis court
• Free parking
• 36km to Alvito and 76km to Évora
• Activities that can be arranged locally: archery, bicycles, birdwatching, horse-riding, country walks and water sports on the lake.

This beautiful Pousada is housed within a magnificent 14th century castle above the historical town of Estremoz. Originally built by King Dinis I for his wife, Queen Isabel, the property has been carefully remodelled throughout to offer guest accommodation of a high standard whilst maintaining many of the original features and classical atmosphere. Period furnishings and tapestries are visible throughout.

From the walled gardens and outdoor swimming pool, you can appreciate a view over Estremoz and the surrounding Alentejo plains. The historical towns of Vila Viçosa (24km), Arraiolos (44km), and Évora (46km) are within a short drive, as is the tranquil Alqueva Lake (111km).

Accommodation

• 33 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms, deluxe rooms and a suite
• All rooms are individually decorated and furnished with 18th century antiques, and have a bathroom (bath or shower), hairdryer, telephone, cable TV, safe deposit box and minibar
• Many rooms have a four-poster bed and locally woven rugs on the floor
• The suite has a separate living room

 
Amenities/Leisure

• Buffet breakfast
• Restaurant
• Bar
• Lounges
• Complimentary WiFi in public areas
• Lift
• Outdoor swimming pool (18.50 x 7m) open May-Sep
• Large sun terrace
• Small chapel
• Free parking

Sunvil notes:

• Check-in:  14:00
• Check out: 12:00
• Tea & Coffee facilities in room: No

The stylish main square of Castelo de Vide, dating back from the 17th and 18th centuries, is surrounded by Baroque buildings and is the location of the Casa Amarela. Beautifully restored, this 19th century building, dating from the French invasion of the town, is in an ideal location from which to explore the centre and offers a variety of comfortable rooms with either square or mountain view. This charming manor house is personally managed by the owner Victor Guimaraes and his family.

Castelo de Vide, at 850m above sea level, is of Roman origin but it is probably best known for the large Jewish quarter which existed in the middle ages. In the old Jewish quarter of the town, nothing seems to have changed since those times, with cobbled streets, whitewashed houses and mysterious Gothic doorways. One can explore pretty squares, the oldest synagogue in Portugal and, of course, the 14th century castle overlooking the town.

Accommodation

• 11 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms and two suites

Amenities/Leisure

• Continental buffet breakfast
• Comfortable lounge
• Courtesy bar with homemade liquors (free of charge)
• Complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel
• Lift
• Free parking in the town square
• Free use of the public swimming pool (400m)
• Excellent location for exploring the town and the surrounding countryside on foot
• Peal of church bells, every half hour around the clock, can be heard from the main square
• A lively market takes place in the town square in front of the hotel every Friday
• Lively market on the last Friday of each month
• Annual Medieval Festival (September) takes place in the main square
• Restaurant ‘Casa do Parque’ (300m) serves excellent local dishes for lunch and dinner

Minimum stay: 2 nights

After complete reconstruction and refurbishment the Pousada Convento de Belmonte emerged from the ruins of the Convent of Nossa Senhora da Esperança (Our Lady of Hope Convent). The original features of a small 13th century chapel have been beautifully maintained and the modern interiors blend perfectly with the historical architecture. Intimate sitting rooms and elegant guest rooms offer comfortable accommodation of a high standard.

There are many places of interest in the surrounding area including Historic villages and the fortified towns of Guarda and Sortelha, the first rock fortress built in the Cova da Beira valley. Within easy reach is the pine forested natural park of Serra da Estrela, laced with streams and rivers leading to waterfalls and natural lagoons, and full of wildflowers (wild pansy) and birdlife.

Accommodation

• 24 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms, superior room, a deluxe room and a duplex suite
• All rooms have a bathroom (bath and shower), hairdryer, cable TV, telephone, complimentary WiFi, safe deposit box, minibar and balcony with a magnificent view to Cova da Beira valley and Serra da Estrela
• The deluxe room comprises of one large bedroom with double four-poster bed, a double sofa bed and large private balcony with sun loungers. This room will comfortably accommodate three adults or two adults and two children
• The duplex suite comprises of a double room on the first floor and, on the lower floor, a bathroom (bath and shower) and lounge with large sofa bed (suitable for a child), balcony and direct access to the swimming pool.

Amenities/Leisure

• Buffet breakfast
• Restaurant, local gourmet cuisine, serving regional and international dishes
• Panoramic terrace
• Complimentary WiFi in rooms and public areas
• The original chapel has been converted into a bar and comfortable lounge
• The ancient cloister is now a beautiful winter garden with seating
• Open-air courtyard
• Outdoor swimming pool (4 x 14m) and sun terrace, open May-Sept
• Free parking
• 1km from Belmonte
• 13km from the Serra da Estrela Natural Park.

Situated upon a hilltop in the Serra da Marofa mountain range, surrounded by miles of unspoiled landscape, is the medieval village of Castelo Rodrigo. Serene and compelling, Castelo Rodrigo is one of the best preserved fortified villages in Portugal and points of interest including the Santa Maria de Aguiar church and convent, the Our Lady of Rocamador church and the Clock Tower are not to be missed. With its castle, now in ruins, standing boldly at the top of the village, here you will discover rows of stone houses, cobbled narrow lanes and alleys as well as the Casa da Cisterna, a charming rural property.

Casa da Cisterna consists of three separate buildings, divided into four guest wings, and two small courtyard gardens, one with swimming pool. Each of the 11 bedrooms has been individually decorated using a combination of light walls, comfortable furnishings and local artefacts and handicrafts. The pride of Ana and António, the owners, is visible throughout the property and in the little personal touches that they have made. The result is an atmosphere that feels like home.

We cannot recommend the Casa da Cisterna and the village of Castelo Rodrigo highly enough. For those wishing to sample the local culture and historic atmosphere of the fortified villages of Central Portugal, look no further.

Accommodation

• 11 rooms including standard rooms, superior rooms, a junior suite and a suite
• All rooms have a bathroom (bath and/or shower), TV and complimentary WiFi
• Hairdryer available on request from reception
• 3 rooms do not have air-conditioning (junior suite and 2 standard rooms). One standard room has air-conditioning
• Superior rooms are larger than the standard rooms and have air conditioning and a view over the surrounding street or over the village towards the hills
• One superior room has skylight windows and does not have a view. Two superior rooms (one with view over the village and hills, the other with village view) have a glass partition between the bedroom and bathroom
• The junior suite has a designated sitting area with wood burning fireplace and a sleeping area on a mezzanine floor and a view over the garden and village
• The open-plan suite has air-conditioning, a designated living area, wood burning fireplace and a view over the surrounding street and hills
• Some superior rooms with a view over the village towards the hills, the junior suite and the suite can accommodate an extra bed for an adult or a child (2-12yrs)

Accommodation

• Continental buffet breakfast
• Evening meals available on request
• Lounge with honesty bar
• Courtyard gardens
• Outdoor swimming pool
• Walking distance from ‘Sabores do Castelo’ (within the city walls) – a shop selling locally produced items such as jams, wine and olive oil
• Donkey rides, Jeep tours and visits to the Côa Rock Art Engraving Museum (archaeological site) can be arranged locally (payable)
• Picnic baskets arranged on request in advance (payable locally)
• The historical village of Almeida is 20km away
• Free public parking

Minimum stay: 2 nights