Alentejo

The Alentejo region, the widest in Portugal, is very rich in landscapes, with such different realities like the typical plain terrains, separated by mountain ranges, and a beautiful coastal side with idyllic beaches, remarkable cities and picturesque small villages where time seems to have stopped.

The Alentejo is an historical region, with several archaeological vestiges throughout the area, dating from pre-historical times, with lots of things to tell and show, in this beautiful place where calm and peace of mind rule.

Commonly known as the "bread basket" of Portugal, this area of vast open countryside with undulating plains, has been reliant on agriculture, livestock and wood throughout the years, and from the fertile land has been able to reveal all its special products: grain, sunflower, fruit, vegetables, olives, cork, eucalyptus, lamb, pigs, kid, granite, schist or marble.
In fact, nowadays Alentejo produces high quality Wines, appreciated all over the world.
All these regional products have allowed the tastefull Gastronomy, that is also quite famous nationwide, based mainly on Bread dishes (like the Açorda, the Migas or the Ensopado), fresh vegetables, different types of delicious sausages and smoked-ham, and on the beautiful Alentejo’s Coast line, the relish of fresh seafood and shellfish.
The Pastry and confectionery of the region is quite influenced by the conventual pastry, with egg and sugar based sweets, inheritance of the large number of convents and monasteries throughout the region, symbol for centuries of wisdom, knowledge, security, peace of mind and, of course, religion.