Casa Belmeque

Casa Belmeque can be found in the tiny village of Pras, in the heart of the countryside of east Portugal. The nearest international airport is Faro on the south coast, a scenic journey through the Alentejano olive groves to your holiday home. Local shops for provisions and family-run restaurants are within walking distance and walks in nature are on your doorstep.

The area is renowned for its wine production; visit a vineyard and take home a couple of bottles of the local vintage. The traditional cuisine is also famous for its regional dishes of migas, acordas, and homemade sausages.

For a taste of city life, head to Beja, where there is a thirteenth-century castle, a museum, and a Roman Temple dedicated to Diana. Seek solace in the gothic-style Convent of Sao Fransico, which also houses the Museum of Queen Leonor.

Explore the local area, most notably the Alqueva Dam, Europe's largest artificial lake, with opportunities for boating, fishing, and water activities. Go bird watching in the Castro Verde and spot the great bustard.

Make sure you ask about local festivals and events, of which there are many throughout the year.

And if you really want to venture further afield, you can always cross the border into nearby Spain.

Read more about Alentejo

Please be aware that the location tab shown on the website is not based on the property's exact location; therefore, all location amenities are an approx of facilities, restaurants, and villages/towns you might find around the property. The property's exact location will be provided to you before arrival and might come along with some recommendations about the area and what to visit.

THE REGION

The plains that extend as far as the eye can see start close to the Tagus. While to the north, the pace is set by the green of the flatlands, further south; the landscape combines with the sun, the heat and a slower pace of life. This is the Alentejo.

The vastness of the landscape is dotted with cork oaks and olive trees that withstand time. Santarém is a natural viewpoint over the immensity of the Tagus. Here and there, you find a walled town, such as Marvão or Monsaraz, or an ancient dolmen to recall the magic of the place. Around the hills, low, whitewashed houses stand on small knolls, castles evoke battles and conquests, and the yards and gardens are witnesses to the Arab influences which shaped the people and nature.

In the Alentejo, the power of the land marks the time and cities like Elvas and Évora, listed as World Heritage by UNESCO, show the tenacity of the people. Perhaps this is the reason that culture and spirituality take on a singular character here. These memories of the past are also shared by other cities, such as Santarém, Portalegre and Beja, and in the former Jewish quarters, particularly in Castelo de Vide.

But you must also explore the coast. The landscape here is hilly and rugged, with small sheltered coves between the cliffs, many of which are ideal for surfing. You will also breathe the scents of the countryside here, the aromatic herbs that season the fish, seafood and other regional fare to be accompanied by the region’s excellent wines. Indeed, the entire Alentejo lives according to the rhythm of the earth.