District of Portalegre
Alto Alentejo

Districts of Portugal

Guide to Portugal

Portalegre, Portugal

The High Alentejo Capital

The County (State) of Portalegre, in central Portugal whose head office is located 227 km to the east of the city of Lisbon is one of the 18 counties (distritos) of Portugal.


The Capital of Alto Alentejo
Portalegre is a city, a concelho (municipality) and a County located in the Alentejo, Alto Alentejo sub-region, in southern Portugal. The Alentejo is the most extensive of mainland Portugal's regions.


Portalegre (14,335 inhab., INE 2021), at the gates of the Serra de São Mamede Natural Park (1,025m), is the most important city in the north of the Alentejo and the second most populous in the district of Portalegre (the most populous is Elvas). The city, with an average altitude of 500m, it is located 228 km (by car) northeast of Lisbon and 160 km in a straight line.

Location

The municipality (municipality) is limited to the north by Castelo de Vide, to the northeast com Marvão, east with Spain, south with Arronches and Monforte and to the west with the municipality of Crato .

Land of good food, good olive oil and good wines

As a good Alentejo land, Portalegre produces good wines, good wines, olive oil and has a long culinary tradition, especially sweets and desserts. In addition to tasting the great specialties of traditional Alentejo cuisine, in Portalegre the visitor can taste some delicious local specialties, such as the Bob stew. One cuisine rich in flavors and aromas, accompanied by wines and watered with local oils.

Rich Historical Heritage

With a rich history and object of disputes between Portugal and Spain, Portalegre supported the future king of Portugal D. João I (the Master of Avis), during the dispute for the succession to the throne. The city has several convents, a 16th century cathedral and many other historical buildings of great importance. Among the convents, the Convento de Santa Clara stands out, also known for its famous recipes for traditional Portuguese sweets, a reference in the field. Find out more: Attractions in Portalegre

Tours and other Activities

There is a lot to do and discover in this peaceful city, with big houses or go to one of the viewpoints in the city to have a more panoramic view of Portalegre. the rich handicrafts can also be admired, highlighting the carpets (the city was famous for its Tepeçaria de Portalegre) and is still very well known in this field for its known Portalegre point of its rugs.

Portalegre PDO Wine Route

Gastronomes, winemakers and gourmets in general can discover the municipality (municipality) and the district by traveling the Portalegre Wine Route, one of the eight sub-regions wineries of the Wines of Alentejo. A visit to the main wineries is the highlight of this itinerary that allows you to taste wines and other specialties (snacks) Of region. In local restaurants, Portalegre wine is the ideal complement to accompany the tasty traditional cuisine of the Alto Alentejo.

Northern Alentejo PDO Olive Oil Route

Another interesting route for foodies and gourmets is the Northern Alentejo Olive Oil Route, whose olive oil is classified as DOP - Denomination of Origin. protected. As is well known, the Alentejo accounts for 71% of the production of olive oil in Portugal and has more than 50% of olive groves, especially olive trees of the variety Vulgar Galician. With its PDO (Northern Alentejo Olive Oil, Interior Alentejo Olive Oil and Moura Olive Oil), the Alentejo has a lot to show in this sector. Find out more: Olive oil from the North of Alentejo


• County (State) of Portalegre

• Municipality of Portalegre
There are 15 municipalities (counties) in the district of Portalegre.