Our 9 favorite things to do in Alentejo, Portugal

June 7, 2023

Updated July 24, 2023

Alentejo is one of the most beautiful regions of Portugal, with stunning nature and amazing surf. It’s not a coincidence that it's the location of one of our surf camps since we’re truly in love with this Portuguese paradise. Here are nine reasons why we love Alentejo – and why you should add it to your travel bucket list!

Alentejo, a true gem of a European holiday destination, is located in the southern part of Portugal between the regions of Lisbon and the Algarve. We fell in love with Alentejo thanks to its authentic charm, great waves and stunning nature. In contrast to our big and lively surf camp in Ericeira, our surf camp in Alentejo is located in the countryside off the beaten path.

Where is Alentejo, Portugal?

Alentejo is a region located south of Lisbon and north of the Algarve. The easiest way for international travelers to come here is to fly into Lisbon International Airport (LIS) and get a transfer, bus or Uber from there to our Alentejo surf camp. It takes around two hours to get to the surf camp from the airport by car.

9 reasons why you should add visiting Alentejo, Portugal to your bucket list

Alentejo is one of our favorite places to visit in Portugal, but why do we love it so much? Here are nine reasons why visiting Alentejo feels like a real-life dream:

1. Indulge in the regional wines

Portugal is one of the biggest wine producers in the world, and leaving Alentejo without trying the regional wine is nothing short of a crime (not really though, but seriously, it's amazing!). We organize for a wine expert to visit the surf camp every week so that you can try the selection of local flavors and learn more about the wine and grapes of the region. There are also many vineyards around Alentejo that are worth visiting!

2. Take a hike along the breathtaking coastline

Portugal is world famous for its beautiful nature, coastline and steep cliffs. Taking a hike along some of Mother Nature’s favorite spots is genuinely the best way of experiencing Altentejo and talking in the fresh ocean air. From our surf camp, you can go on a beautiful hike and reach the beach at the end.

3. Go horseback riding

Another way of seeing Alentejo’s finest landscape is on horseback. If you want to make it even more magical than it sounds already, we can organize for you to go horseback riding in the afternoon and overlook as the sun starts to set.

4. Try scuba diving and explore the Portuguese underwater world

A fun activity that you don’t want to miss when visiting Alentejo is scuba diving. Dive down and see Portugal’s sea urchins up close, swim with fish of different kinds and maybe you’ll even see an octopus!

5. Practice yoga in the sun

Yoga and surfing are a great combination, the physical and mental aspects of yoga can help you improve your surfing and to stay calm in the waves on the more challenging days. So joining a yoga lesson between your surf sessions is a good way to connect the body, mind and spirit. Practicing yoga in the garden with the company of our donkeys and the horse makes it an even more unique and fun experience!

6. Enjoy a relaxing massage

Make your relaxing surf holiday even more relaxing by treating yourself to a massage. The masseur will come to the camp at the decided time, so you don’t have to worry about getting to a spa. Both your mind and body will thank you, especially after a surf session when the muscles feel sore!

7. Hang out at the surf camp

The overall vibe we get when coming to Alentejo is pure relaxation. Our camp is located in the countryside, without loud neighbors or busy roads. It’s remote and quiet, with the exception of the friendly donkeys who come by the fence to say hello and for a pat every now and then.

It’s the perfect place to let go of all of your worries. You can take a morning dip in the swimming pool, play volleyball with your newfound friends at the camp and read a book in the sun.

8. Enjoy the delicious food

The Portuguese food that's served at the camp is truly delicious! Enjoy the breakfast buffe with freshly baked bread in the morning and Portuguese dinner in the garden in the evening. Our amazing chef makes the food at the camp and almost no food goes to waste here (and if it does, our sweet donkeys gets a treat!). Once a week we have a pizza night and make pizza in the camps pizza oven, which is one of the most fun nights!

9. Spend a day at the beach and, of course, surf!

In our opinion, Alentejo has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. We highly recommend packing a picnic basket and spending a day at the beach!

Last but certainly not least, Alentejo is a great place to go if you’re looking for fun, high-quality waves! You will find surfers of all levels taking their surfboards out into the water here. The beaches are endless, free from big crowds and the waves are great. Surfing in Alentejo is beginner-friendly and mellow during the summer and a bit bigger during the colder months of the year. Our favorite surf spot is located a fifteen-minute car ride from the camp!