Walking, mercado and historic monuments in Portalegre

Portalegre is a town in the Alto Alentejo district. This region has a long and rich history dating back to Roman times, and the town was conquered several times, first by the Romans in 138 BC, then by the Moors in 715. It was finally retaken by the Portuguese in the 12th century. Like many cities on the old continent, Portalegre has witnessed wars and revolutions, as well as economic and political crises. Occupied by the French during the Napoleonic Wars, Portalegre underwent major transformations during the 20th century. The town enjoyed an economic boom in the 1950s, thanks to textile production, but the economic crisis of the 1970s led to a large-scale migration of residents to the country's major cities. Today, Portalegre is a dynamic town that has managed to preserve its historical and cultural heritage. Visitors can explore the historic monuments that bear witness to the town's rich history. The town is also famous for its annual film festival, the Portalegre International Film Festival.

We stroll through the streets of Portalegre and discover centuries-old historic monuments:

Portalegre Castle

The castle is perched on a hill overlooking the town. This stone castle was built in the 13th century to defend the town against invasion.

Portalegre Cathedral

The cathedral, also known as Sé de Portalegre, is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture. It was built in the 16th century and houses some remarkable works of art, such as delicate gilded wood carvings.

The Convent of São Bernardo

The convent of São Bernardo was founded in the 16th century by Queen Catherine of Portugal. It is considered to be one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in the country. The convent houses a magnificent church with gilded decorations and impressive murals.

El mercado municipal

The Mercado Municipal de Portalegre is a covered market located in the city centre, offering a wide variety of fresh produce and local products such as cheese and wine. It is an important focal point for the city and its residents. You can immerse yourself in its friendly, lively atmosphere, watching vendors and buyers mingle in a lively atmosphere. Needless to say, the market is a must for discovering the local gastronomy, and in particular the delicious cured meats from the region.

Museu das Tapeçarias de Portalegre, the tapestry museum

The Museu das Tapeçarias is a museum dedicated to Portuguese tapestries. It is considered to be one of the most important tapestry museums in the world and houses a collection of over 170 tapestries. Produced between the 17th and 21st centuries, it features designs by some of Portugal's greatest artists, such as Almada Negreiros and Júlio Pomar. The tapestries are handmade using traditional techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation since time immemorial. The museum offers a unique discovery for lovers of art, textiles and crafts.

When we did our research on Portalegre, we discovered audio guides offered by the municipality.

Available in French, English, Italian and Spanish, the guides accompany you on your walks in and around Portalegre.

We chose the "urban tour", which took us on a stroll around the town's monuments, while listening to their stories.

Download the free tours from the Portalegre website.

There are 3 culinary specialities in particular that reflect the richness and diversity of the cuisine of the Alentejo region, of which Portalegre is a part.

Alentejo Açorda

A traditional soup made with bread, garlic, olive oil, coriander and eggs, often accompanied by fish or seafood.

Queijo de Nisa

A regional semi-hard cheese made from sheep's and goat's milk, often used in traditional regional dishes.

Toucinho Cake

A traditional dessert made from sugar, flour, eggs and bacon, often served with honey and almonds. A real treat!

Even if we're not sports enthusiasts at heart, the Portalegre municipality website is full of resources for keen walkers. You'll find the Transalentejo guide, which includes all the walking routes in the Alto Alentejo region. The PDF is in Portuguese, but the information on the walking routes and maps is pretty clear. On the same site, you'll also find the route of the GR 61. The Waterfalls Trail is a 15km hiking trail located in the Serra de São Mamede Natural Park near Portalegre. The trail offers magnificent views of the waterfalls and surrounding countryside. The trails are signposted for all levels of hiker.

Parque Natural da Serra de São Mamede

Just a 15-minute drive from Portalegre, the Parque Natural da Serra de São Mamede is the largest nature park in the region, covering more than 55,000 hectares of rugged mountains, lush green valleys, crystal-clear rivers and dense forests. Its flora and fauna are renowned for being exceptional, with rare species such as the golden eagle and the Iberian lynx. If you enjoy hiking, picnicking or animal watching, the park is the place to be. There are even camping areas where you can spend the night under the stars.