Top 15 Must-Experience Activities in Portalegre, Portugal

Situated in the northern region of Alentejo, a brief distance from the Spanish border, Portalegre is a highland town adjacent to the Serra de São Mamede mountains. This locality has a longstanding tradition in textiles, starting in the 1940s when it began crafting tapestries that met the highest European standards.

In the 1920s, the esteemed Portuguese author José Régio relocated to Portalegre, where he resided for the subsequent 34 years. As the seat of the diocese, the town is replete with convents and churches, presenting ample opportunities for exploration. São Mamede’s natural park serves as an exceptional destination for hiking enthusiasts and is home to the stunning fortified town of Marvão.

Now, let us delve into the noteworthy activities in Portalegre:

1. Museu da Tapeçaria de Portalegre

The craft of weaving has been practiced in Portalegre since the Middle Ages. However, it was in the 1940s that entrepreneur Guy Fino and weaver Manuel do Celestino Peixeiro pioneered a new technique known as Ponto de Portalegre.

This method, while partially influenced by the styles from Roubaix, has developed its unique identity.

Portalegre gained recognition as a tapestry hub, rivaling those in Flanders and France due to its renowned artistry and skilled craftsmanship.

The ground floor of this museum details the formative years of the Portalegre Manufactory, shedding light on its techniques.

Moreover, the upper floor showcases various examples of this art form, spotlighting some of the talented weavers who have contributed to the town’s legacy over the past 70 years.

2. Portalegre Cathedral

The town’s cathedral, designated as a National Monument, was commissioned by King John III in the 16th century to replace an older medieval church.

It gracefully dominates Portalegre from its elevated position and, along with the episcopal palace, forms an impressive Mannerist complex.

While the interior reflects an 18th-century Neoclassical renovation, it still retains notable elements from the 16th and 17th centuries.

These include exquisite white marble pulpits and 96 opulently painted panels from the 1500s and 1600s.

3. Museu Municipal de Portalegre

The municipal museum is housed in an aesthetically pleasing 16th-century building that originally served as the diocesan seminary.

In the 18th century, it transitioned into a luxurious residence under the ownership of a local nobleman, a structure that remains largely unchanged today.

The museum’s collection predominantly features liturgical art sourced from two dissolved convents in the area: Santa Clara and São Bernardo, including some exceptional pieces.

Among the collection are an Indo-Portuguese ivory sculpture of Mary, a Japanese missal stand dating to the 1500s, and an altarpiece from the same era adorned with biblical passages in polychrome terracotta.

Visitors can also admire silver snuffboxes, fine faience, and furniture from the collection.

4. Casa Museu José Régio

The renowned 20th-century author José Régio spent the majority of his adult life, from 1929 to 1961, in this expansive residence in the town, becoming an adopted “Portalegrense.”

This residence is located in an annex of the Convent of São Brás, where remnants such as the old chapel still exist.

Initially, Régio rented only a single room, yet as a passionate collector of various forms of art—including paintings, sculptures, textiles, pottery, and furniture—he gradually filled the entire property with his acquisitions.

Upon his passing, he bequeathed this collection to the town, which then purchased the residence and transformed it into a museum.

The house remains as it was during his lifetime and includes a study center for those researching his literary work.

5. Convento de São Francisco-Fábrica de Cortiça Robinson

This unique attraction merges a 13th-century convent with a modern cork factory.

The convent church showcases decorations spanning various architectural styles since the Middle Ages, featuring a Renaissance altar and sarcophagus, Mannerist murals adorning the nave’s chapels, along with Baroque tiles and gilt-wood embellishing the chancel.

In 1848, the English entrepreneur George Robinson established a cork factory within one wing of the convent, and its two chimney stacks continue to dominate the landscape.

Guided tours are available, allowing visitors to explore the cork products created at this factory that significantly contributed to Portalegre’s economic development in the 19th century.

6. Convento de São Bernardo

Possibly the most picturesque scene in Portalegre is encapsulated by the ochre and white exterior of this convent, complemented by the cobblestone square and fountain directly in front.

Founded in the 1500s, the convent was established to provide shelter for “maidens without dowry.” Its architecture showcases a blend of styles from various eras, with highlights primarily originating from the 1500s, designed by the French sculptor Nicolas de Chantereine.

Chantereine crafted the ornate marble pulpit adorned with grotesques, as well as the magnificent tomb of Bishop Jorge de Melo, who was instrumental in founding the convent.

In addition, guests can explore a tranquil cloister lined with blue and white tiled arcades.

The building has been under the administration of the Republic National Guard since the 1980s, yet public access is permitted.

7. Convento de Santa Clara

Another significant National Monument in Portalegre is this 14th-century convent, which presently serves as the city’s library.

This function does not diminish its historical value, as visitors are encouraged to enter and admire the Gothic cloister completed during the 16-year reign of King Fernando I (1367-1383). This cloister is believed to be the last remaining example of its kind in Portugal from that period.

It is encircled by two tiers of galleries, with a serene garden in the center featuring a marble fountain dating back to the 1500s.

Additionally, the library hosts occasional exhibitions of art and history worth exploring.

8. Plátano do Rossio

During the intense summer heat, the Rossio square is the ideal retreat, primarily due to the expansive plantain tree that provides ample shade.

This tree, planted in 1838 by botanist Dr. José Maria Grande, has withstood the test of time, flourishing through conscientious care.

The canopy spans an impressive 30 meters in diameter, with branches supported by pillars as they can no longer sustain their own weight.

9. Miradouros

With elevated terrain in three directions surrounding Portalegre, several viewpoints invite visitors to park and appreciate the city from a distance.

The prime location is the Miradouro de Santa Luzia (distinct from the one located in Lisbon), situated en route to the village of Salão Frio.

At an altitude of 679 meters, it offers a sweeping panorama of Portalegre and its significant landmarks.

Another splendid viewpoint lies on the slope of the Serra da Penha to the west, where visitors can stand at the steps of the 17th-century Chapel de Nossa Senhora da Penha, admiring Portalegre’s profile across the valley.

10. Sights Around Town

Portalegre’s castle is situated in the town’s oldest district, rising above a maze of narrow streets.

Throughout history, it endured multiple sieges during the dynastic crises and civil wars of the 13th and 14th centuries.

Though little remains today, a section of the keep features a contemporary wood and glass structure designed for visitor navigation.

The surrounding streets offer a low-key atmosphere and are adorned with elegantly weathered whitewashed walls accented by colorful trims.

Moreover, five of the original seven city gates remain intact, with the 13th-century Porta de Alegrete being particularly photogenic.

Additionally, visitors can observe the Palacio Achaioli at Praçã da República, an 18th-century palace that has been repurposed as a university building and where José Régio lectured.

11. Roman Ruins of Ammaia

Within the São Mamede Natural Park, which borders Portalegre, lie the ruins of an ancient Roman city that once supported a population of 2,000 at its peak.

The site reveals notable structures, including the city portal, remains of the forum and temple, a large villa (designated as the Quinta do Deão), and thermal baths.

Many of these artifacts were uncovered in recent years, following excavations that began in the 1990s.

Numerous artifacts were recovered, particularly from the vicinity of the baths, with many displayed in the National Museum of Archaeology in Lisbon.

A small museum on-site exhibits video presentations and collections of jewelry, utensils, ceramics, and blown glass.

12. Serra de São Mamede Natural Park

Adventurous individuals will find the quartzite mountain range to the north and west of the city an exhilarating outdoor destination.

This region is amongst the wildest areas in western Europe, hosting rare species such as genets, Iberian lynxes, and Iberian wolves, alongside various bats, wild boar, and numerous deer.

The area is enriched with cork oak, eucalyptus, pine, and sweet chestnut forests, ideal for hiking and cycling, while remnants of prehistoric cultures, including megaliths and rock paintings, abound.

You might be inclined to summit the Serra de São Mamede, which features the highest peak at just over 1,000 meters.

From the summit, you can gaze into Spain and view as far as Portugal’s Serra da Estrela, located 150 kilometers to the north.

13. Marvão

Nestled high among the clouds is the border town of Marvão, distinguished by its remarkable location.

Perched atop a narrow ridge 800 meters high, it is encircled by towering quartzite cliffs and fortified walls.

These fortifications are a testament to centuries of conflict between Portugal and Spain, with enhancements made as recently as the 1800s.

Reaching the town is an adventure in itself; after ascending the slope, you’ll pass under an impressive gate flanked by crenellated turrets and machicolations.

The tightly-knit walls house a labyrinth of cobblestone pathways, where vaulted passageways lead explorers to breathtaking overlooks, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountainous landscapes.

14. Piscina Fluvial da Portagem

Summers in eastern Portugal can be quite severe, and with limited access to water bodies for cooling off, the nearby town of Marvão utilized its resources ingeniously.

A section of the River Sever has been dammed, creating an open-air pool that draws bathers from both sides of the border during the sweltering summer days.

Adjacent to the pool, a grove of tall trees provides generous shade, enhancing the experience for picnicking visitors. A short distance away lies a Roman bridge utilized by the inhabitants of Ammaia 2,000 years ago.

15. Food and Drink

In Portugal, the art of confectionery was first practiced in convents that utilized eggs donated by married couples, believing it would bring good fortune.

Portalegre is often referred to as “Cidade dos Sete Conventos” (City of the Seven Convents) and possesses an extensive repertoire of its own delectable and straightforward recipes.

Toucinho do céu is a rich sponge cake made with almonds, while manjar branco is a blancmange crafted from eggs and almonds, and rebuçados de ovos are candies made from egg yolks presented in syrupy balls.

Additionally, lampreia de Portalegre is a unique dessert shaped like a lamprey, made from eggs, sugar, and almonds, completed with candied fruits for its eyes.