Alentejo Central

Alentejo Region

The southernmost Alentejo
Located in the Alentejo Region, or former Alentejo province, Baixo-Alentejo is a sub-region of this. The capital is Beja, a city of 25,373 inhab., located 177 km southwest of Lisbon, by car (135 km in a straight line).

Location

The Baixo Alentejo, located in southeastern Portugal and bordering the east with Spain, comprises the municipalities of the current district of Beja. At North, it borders the Alentejo Central, to the south with the region of Algarve and to the west with the Alentejo Litoral.

Municipality of Beja

Beja is also a municipality (municipality), with 33,401 inhab. (INE, 2021) distributed in 12 parishes, being one of the most extensive in Portugal. The municipality is in the center of Baixo Alentejo. See all (municipalities) Counties of Baixo Alentejo.

Castles, hills and plains

The landscapes of Baixo Alentejo, as in the whole of Alentejo, are characterized by the vast undulating plain dotted here and there by cork oaks, holm oaks, olive trees and vineyards. High in the hills, medieval castles dominate towns, villages and cities whose houses are overwhelmingly painted in white, with lime, contrasting with the yellowish tones of the crops or the green of the olive trees. The Alentejo is an immense olive grove.

Olive Oil

The Alentejo is the main producer of olive oil in Portugal, accounting for more than 71% of the total production of this precious liquid. green gold. In Baixo Alentejo, Azeite de Moura PDO is one of the Protected Designations of Origin in the Region. The others are Azeite do Norte Alentejo PDO and Olive Oil from Alentejo Interior PDO. In this land of good cuisine and good wines, olive oil is the main ingredient of its gastronomy.

Good Wines

Another pillar of the economy and gastronomy of Baixo Alentejo, wine production occupies a prominent place. Baixo Alentejo produces 237,555 hl of wines, of the total of 1. hl of all production in Alentejo, the third largest wine producer in mainland Portugal, after Douro and Lisbon, according to the latest available data (IVV, 2020-2021). Find out more: Vinhos do Baixo Alentejo.

Good food from Baixo Alentejo

With some of the quality products that this land offers, such as its tasty pigs, lambs, goats and poultry, its aromatic herbs that perfume the dishes traditional cuisine and give a special touch to their gastronomic specialties, the pleasures of the table delight visitors. With the ingredients of terroir, Alentejo cuisine works miracles, as is well known. Find out more: Cozinha do Baixo Alentejo

Wine Route

Following the Wine Route in Baixo Alentejo is an excellent option to discover the main producing counties (municipalities), from Vidigueira to Beja, with visits to wineries and tasting of wines and other products from the Alentejo terroir. See more activities

Olive Oil Route

The Olive Oil Route in the lands of Baixo Alentejo is another alternative for a route to discover this iconic Alentejo product. The highlight is, of course, the municipality of Moura, where CAMB - Cooperativa Agrícole Moura Barrancos - produces fine oil, the famous Olive Oil of Moura DOP. Unforgettable discoveries and experiences that will mark your visit to Baixo Alentejo. See also: Olive Oil from Baixo Alentejo

Sweets and Desserts

After talking about the cuisine, wines and oils of Baixo Alentejo, it is necessary to highlight its sweets and the delicious desserts that you will taste when stay in the region. All made with the legacy of tradition, technique and flavor of almonds and figs.