Lugar de Vagar

Lugar de Vagar has direct access to a former ancient Roman walkway; it’s the starting point for long walks through the Alto Alentejo. There are also spectacular hikes and cycle rides to be had in the Serra de São Mamede Natural Park (25 minutes’ drive), where you can visit the medieval ‘white towns’ of Castelo de Vide (10 minutes) and Marvão (half an hour). If you’d like delve deeper into the long backstory of the region, a good starting point is Anta do Tapadão da Relva (15 minutes), a neolithic site with a dolmen and standing stones; there are other burial chambers dating from prehistory at Anta da Melriça, as well as ancient tombs at the Necrópole de Santo Amarinho (both 10 minutes). To sample the rich produce of the area, you can visit olive farms and wineries within 20 minutes by car from your peaceful hideaway. To pick up bottled olive oils, local cheeses and cured meats as souvenirs, head for the Friday market in Castelo de Vide.