A Road Trip In Portugal On The Alentejo Coast

There’s nothing quite like hitting the open road and cruising around a hot, foreign country with a great soundtrack partnered to awesome scenery. The options for a great trip are endless in Europe, but to embark on a road trip in Portugal is the best way to independently traverse the countryside and see the rugged coastline of the Alentejo Coast.

Arid, warm and dry scrubland coats the inland, dotted with plush pine trees and dusty red soils, painting it a world away from the pumping bustle of the Algarve coast. This south-west section of Portugal is reminiscent to a western Australian landscape and it too is full of intimidating cliff tops, expansive sandy beaches and some great surf. But not only is it wildly beautiful, it is quiet with only 7% of Portugal’s population residing here and due to the minimal tourism it is ridiculously affordable.

EasyJet and Ryan Air flights into the southern city of Faro are notoriously cheap allowing you to spend leftover cash on renting a car when you land at the small airport. Make sure that you book a car ahead of arrival and bring all documentation that is required, as it would be awful to turn up sans credit card and have your road trip plans seriously scuppered! Other top things to pack include a cable to hook your car up to your iPod for unlimited tunes, a Sat Nav or a smart phone for navigating, and a rough route planned so you don’t miss out on anything that this coast has to offer!

The major highways are easily navigable and the A22 will whisk you north, away from Faro, but you might prefer to take off down the smaller roads to see more of the sleepy medieval towns. You can deviate from the main highways via Sagres to see more of the coast and get great photo opportunities. Lemon trees and vineyards line the roads in fields as far as the eye can see, and the horizon is interrupted with rolling dusty hills and cork-oak trees against a brilliant blue-sky backdrop.

Summer temperatures can hit a scorching 30degrees or more, but the cool sea breeze that whips off the Atlantic is sweet relief, or book a car with air conditioning for an even easier ride.

This wild area of Alentejo covers almost a third of Portugal and serves up great surf and beautiful beaches. In the summer months, the surf can be quite calm but that provides great waters for beginners. A number of surf camps are available at the stunning beach of Odeceixe, nestled within towering cliffs. The river Ceixe runs through the area and is the border between Alentejo and the Algarve. For those keen to try surfing, check out Odeceixe Surf School as they take advantage of the sandbanks and small waves in the whitewash to train first-timers. They also do classes at Amoreira Beach and Arrifana Beach.

Praia da Arrifana is a virginal beach that stretches in a long graceful curve and is hauntingly quiet in the off-peak season. It’s a top choice for surf breaks, meaning camps/schools have popped up in the vicinity. Arrifana Surf School offers a small selection of accommodation, but many simply pitch a tent around this beach in the summer months.

Another must-visit area to check out is Zambujeira do Mar. Soft white sands coat the beaches creating a beach bum’s dream and it is very popular with backpackers and surfers. In August, it hosts Festa do Sudoests, a large music festival that attracts large crowds who like to party, but when the holiday season resides, it is a lovely place to chill out and tuck into delicious fresh seafood dishes of sardines and marisco (shellfish). The cliff tops make for great walks and infinite views, plus you can walk the 3km path that joins Zambujeira do Mar to Porto de Pesca.

Villa Nova de Milfontes is an incredibly picturesque village of whitewashed houses and laid-back vibes. Wander the sun-bleached streets and have a gander at Portuguese menus that you’ll have to translate with a bit of common sense and help from the waiter. Cocktails are uber cheap here, although many cafés and bars have day and night prices, but you can swig a chilled Mojito confidently knowing it won’t break the bank!

If you’re keen for a bit of sightseeing, you’ll be spoilt for choice due to the region’s rich history of Roman conquerors. Fortresses and castles scatter the land, and if you can go as far as Evora, you’ll be treated to a jewel of a walled city. It also has the macabre Capela do Ossos (Chapel of Bones) that is lined with the bones of 5,000 Portuguese. Back on the coast, Aljezur has a majestic hilltop castle that gives views of the countryside. Aljezur also offers a range of places to sleep, including Amazigh Design Hostel, which is located within the Alentejo Coast National Park. If you fancy getting off of the beaten path and staying somewhere away from the crowds, check airbnb listings for unlimited options. A top choice is Orada, a Zen homestay of yoga, organic food and relaxation.

The reoccurring theme of the Alentejo Coast is that it is the European place to chill-out and regroup. It provides all of the ingredients to ensure that after a few days exploring the isolated and untamed coastline by car, you can kick back on any beach and switch off. The only things to worry about here are where to rent a surfboard and where you’ll pick to have your next beer!

By Sophie Saint