Region

The Alentejo - Unknown region of exceptional beauty

The Alentejo is the largest province of the country, covering almost a third of Portugal. It's a thinly populated area and it is gaining huge popularity among tourists. In the Alentejo we come across European, African and Oriental influences. The largest county of the Alentejo is Odemira which is also the name of the county's main town. It is named after the river Mira, the purest river in Europe. The coast between the large town Sines and Odeceixe (where the Algarve begins) is characterized by high cliffs, rocks and a vast, stretching beach.
The Portuguese government classified it as a protected natural area years ago. The whole region up to Sagres (the most south-western point of Europe) is now the 'Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina' . Farming is the main source of income in the Alentejo. During the summer a lot of tourists visit this region. This very much to the benefit of the small fishing villages along the coast. Especially Porto Covo, Zambujeira do Mar, Almograve and Vila Nova de Milfontes are really worth a visit.
There is still a great quality in living and working in the Alentejo to be found. The beauty of its nature, the pleasant climate with more than 300 days of sun a year, the space and the tranquillity guarantee a high quality of life. The Alentejans are very friendly and welcoming. They are unpretentious and very tolerant when it comes to foreigners. More and more people discover the beauty of this region and want to invest in a life of such outstanding quality. Live the life of Riley...in Portugal!