7 Romantic plans for Valentine’s Day in Alentejo, Portugal

Alentejo is known as the hidden jewel of Portugal, thanks to the fact that it has no tourist overcrowding and is the perfect place for a romantic plan away from the crowds and enjoy quiet coastal towns as well as rural ones.

Valentine’s Day is coming soon and for these dates couples usually give each other gifts to celebrate love and what better gift than a trip. The Alentejo is an ideal region for a couple’s getaway, thanks to its outstanding gastronomy where the star products are: wine, cheese and cod, also stands out thanks to its historic cities, some of which, such as Évora and Elvas, have been listed as World Heritage Sites by Unesco and its diverse landscapes, as it has cliffs by the sea to extensive plains.

1-Touring the most historic and charming villages of Alentejo

The beauty of Alentejo, in Portuguese meaning ‘beyond the Tagus’, is in every corner, and its villages are a reflection of this. In the district of Portalegre, we find Marvão, a small village located on top of a hill, surrounded by walls. Its emblematic Alentejo architecture with Romanesque and medieval blends, and its beautiful landscapes make it a perfect destination to enjoy a romantic plan.

A few kilometers away is another charming village, Castelo de Vide, which is full of natural riches such as the São Mamede Mountains Natural Park.There you will also find the best preserved juderías in the Luso country. We cannot forget Mértola, the village known as “museum village” for its wealth of history, it is the perfect place to enjoy a romantic stroll through its historic quarter, walking its steep, narrow streets. In the village you can see Roman remains, architectural remains of the Visigoths and Muslims who had a great impact on the area. The village is located on top of a cliff overlooking the Guadiana River, so its views are unique. The Shield Tower and the Clock Tower are essential places to visit.

2-Wine tourism route : discover the Alentejo grapes of the region

Alentejo is a wine-growing regionof great tradition so wine lovers will find in the Alentejo wineries a myriad of activities between walks in vineyards, guided tours and tastings of local products. In these guides you can learn about the winemaking process and the history of the Alentejo tradition. Alentejo is renowned for its wines,the Alentejo grape types par excellence for red are Periquita, Trincadeira and Aragonês ( in Spain it is known as Tempranillo) and the varieties recognized for white wine are: Arinto , Antão Vaz and Roupeiro. A plan not to miss are the classic tastings, the Hotel Relais & Chateau offers an exclusive program for Valentine’s Day, they have a great offer of courses perfect for wine lovers. If you are interested in a more personalized plan, Herdade do Rocim offers a very exclusive experience for couples: workshops where you can blend and design a custom wine.

3-Romantic plan among the clouds or the water

A must-do activity to admire the grandiose landscape of Alentejo together with the best company is the balloon ride From the heights you can appreciate the colorful horizon of the Alentejo countryside. Emotion Portugaloffers an incredible balloon experience, with a 1-hour ride accompanied by the best champagne. 

Those who prefer another type of adventure can opt for another type of  excursion: a boat ride on Lake Alqueva. Alqueva Cruzeirosoffers a tour known as, sunset party, to enjoy the sunset with good music and drinks included, a romantic and charming plan..

4-Ceramics workshop: a plan for two

A perfect plan for two is to enjoy a ceramics workshop, where you can let your creativity and imagination run wild to create a personalized work of art, which you can then keep as a souvenir. In Odemira and São Pedro do Corval, are the largest pottery centers in the country. There are foundations and centers that offer courses and workshops in ceramic modeling. The hotel São Lourenço do Barrocal offers  a  exclusive pottery workshop taught by one of the best potters in town, there you can learn from this millenary work and create unique pieces. 

5-Enjoying a sunset full of nuances by the sea

Watching the sunset is an ideal plan to share as a couple, suitable for all tastes. After a day of activities to see the sunset is to close with a flourish, especially if it is in one of the best preserved coasts of Europe. Vila Nova de Milfontes is a small village on the Alentejo coast, quiet and with unique landscapes of the Alentejo coast. It is one of the hidden jewels of Portugal with very few foreigners, there you can appreciate the best sunsets of all Alentejo. They also offer surfing lessons and hiking trails. In other beaches, such as Melides, for the more restless the experience of a horseback ride is ideal.

6-Gastronomy: romantic dinner with an Alentejo touch

A romantic dinner is a must to celebrate Valentine’s Day and in Alentejo you can enjoy great gastronomy. Gadanha Mercearia e Restaurante, is located in Estremozand thanks to its pleasant atmosphere and avant-garde cuisine  ideal for a special occasion. It tastes a good wine and food of the region highlights the star dish, its crispy codfish millefeuille. .

If you want a place with a sea view, the restaurant Arte e Saloffers you a magnificent view of the Costa Vicentina. Its specialty is fish, so it has a selection of fresh grilled fish and succulent first-rate seafood.

7-Seeing the stars on the Dark Sky Route

A perfect atmosphere for a date as a couple, a sky full of stars when night falls begins the show at Alqueva. A magical atmosphere to enjoy an evening as a couple. The quality of the sky in the Alqueva allows the naked eye to observe a large number of celestial bodies. The protected and internationally certified Dark Sky iscategorized as Starlight Destination for the unusual clarity of its celestial dome.

To complete the plan it is possibleto sleep under the stars  at L’AND Vineyards, an elegant resort whose suites equipped with skylights allow you to observe the firmament from the bed itself. This hotel also offers customized spa services for couples so that guests can enjoy  a relaxing getaway and a complete experience in Alentejo..

Alentejo is the perfect place to disconnect as a couple and recharge your batteries, it is cataloged as the hidden jewel of Portugal. Its narrow streets, its cities with great historical and cultural value, and its traditional gastronomy where its wine products and cheese varieties stand out make it an ideal destination for a romantic getaway.