Our two nights here during a two week road trip around Portugal went by far too fast. One of the coolest places we have ever stayed in. The drive up to the castle and over the draw bridge was unreal (with plenty of space to park near the entrance of the Pousada) and being able to climb up the old worn marble steps to the top of the castle and peer down onto the town below through the crenels was other worldly. From the staff’s kindness, to the views from our room, to the reprieve from the Alentejo heat in the pool, and the beautiful antiques lining the halls, we gladly stepped back in time here. Providing the best of all breakfast buffets we had along our trip, we were overwhelmed with fresh, local breads, meats and cheeses among a host of traditional hot foods and sweets. And having dinner in the enormous dining room with only two other couples made us feel like royalty, although we felt unworthy of such attentiveness the staff provided, along with an amazing, traditional Alentejo dinner. A grand sense of solitude was underscored by the cool dense fog that rolled in both mornings when the local roosters would sound off. This was our home base for a day trip to Évora and a full day of exploring the town of Estremoz (check out the Azulejos museum!!) and we only wished for more time in this rural gem, packed with so much history.
