45 Best Hotels in Estremadura and the Ribatejo, Portugal

Set among the pine trees in front of Mexilhoeira Beach, this small and stylish eco-conscious hotel, 20 minutes from Torres Vedras, was built with a desire to harmoniously integrate it with its surroundings. All but one of the rooms have views of the ocean and dunes (and it makes up for the lack of a view with a private garden). Decorated with natural driftwood, all the accommodations have underfloor heating for winter, while in summer a fan and the sea breeze are enough to keep you cool. The restaurant serves creations from the hotel's own garden. There is also a glamping tent on the lake and several stylish villas sleeping up to six adults, each with a terrace, barbecue, and private pool.

Right on on Benavente's main square, this small boutique hotel has guest rooms done up in a simple yet modern style with splashes of lime green and other colors. The top-floor restaurant, where a generous buffet breakfast is laid out, has a wraparound corner balcony with panoramic views of the city and the countryside beyond.

This former mill sits next to a small river with a darling little waterfall and waterwheel or nora whose peaceful splashing add to the charm of the house's green, trellised garden. A little path leads to the outdoor pool, which is open year-round. The river even has a small beach area for swimmers and sunbathers. The rooms have wood floors and modern decor; half of those on the top floor have a rooftop terrace with a view of the old farming village. The restaurant serves excellent local and international cuisine and has a cellar with some 400 Portuguese wines, several of which may be ordered by the glass.

This family-run guesthouse 5 km (3 miles) outside Alcobaça is named after a baker who fought the Spaniards with a wooden shovel—and pushed them into her oven—during the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. You're free to wander the well-tended gardens and mingle with the family. The large guest rooms in the main house are simply but smartly decorated. Homemade bread, fresh from the oven, is the highlight of breakfast.

As its name suggests, the charming House of Queens just inside the city walls pays tribute to the royalty associated with Óbidos over the centuries. Most of the guest rooms have balconies; the grand tower room (accessible via a short flight of steps) boasts the best views. The Comendador restaurant (€17) overlooks the garden and has outdoor seating for the warmer months, and serves gourmet Portuguese cuisine. You could  start with a carpaccio of octopus and sweet potato, then move on to the house bacalhau (prepared with roast peppers, potatoes and a herby cornbread topping) or the chambão de borrego (lamb shank, marinated and roasted).

This cheerful little hotel in one of the quietest areas of Batalha offers superb views of the historic monastery and the valley below, and it's especially popular with families because of its game room and two small pools. Guest rooms are individually decorated with touches of vibrant color and artworks, and have private terraces. There's no restaurant, but guests may dine in, thanks to an arrangement with several local restaurants, and there's an honor bar in the cozy lounge—with ice cream! 

This expansive lodging is run by the Carmelites, but is open to visitors of all faiths. There's a good-size chapel at the front of the inn, and the halls are decorated with display cases of swords that recall the turbulent times of medieval knight and mystic Nuno of Saint Mary, who was canonized in 2009. The austere rooms are clean and comfortable, with large crucifixes adorning the walls.

This rural retreat is ideal for rest and relaxation, with its sprawling, flower-filled garden and terraces with views. The guest rooms and apartments are decorated simply but tastefully and dotted with quirky ceramic figures by artists from the Caldas region. Casa da Eira Branca is run by a friendly couple who are often on the premises; there are already offshoots in Óbidos and Lisbon.

A five-minute walk from the Mosteiro de Alcobaça, this charming B&B has guest rooms in period style, while the more spacious lodgings in the new wing—including two suites with balconies—are more classically decorated. Originally built by returning Portuguese emigrants to show off their newfound wealth from Brazil, the main house reflects a style that was popular in the South American country at the time. The downstairs honor bar—complete with a pool table—opens out onto a terrace and the centuries-old "new fountain" that gives the place its name.

"Get connected with nature" is the slogan of this innovative hotel, set amid olive groves in the Parque Natural Serras de Aire de Candeeiros. Its recipe of hiking, biking, and do-it-yourself gourmet cuisine has won prizes and international attention. There's a small spa (open mid-October through mid-April) and a pool out back, where hammocks and a nightly bonfire add to the laid-back mood. The restaurant serves light lunches, while for dinner there's a choice of shared plates made from seasonal ingredients—or you can sign up for a cooking workshop overseen by a chef. A stylish sister hotel 200 yards away, The Nest, has another 8 rooms and 2 apartments at slightly lower rates, but no restaurant.

Located a 10-minute walk from the sanctuary, this family-owned boutique hotel has a bucolic feel thanks to a charming garden overlooked by some guest rooms, and which provides ingredients for the excellent restaurant. In striking contrast to the austere style of many local hotels, this lodging boasts modern design, little luxuries such as a pillow menu, Castelbel amenities, and espresso machines, and an outstanding breakfast buffet. Rates includes one hour of access to the spa. The O Convite restaurant (€22, closed Sun. dinner and Mon.)—a favorite with local gourmets—serves traditional Portuguese cuisine, made with fresh ingredients, with the change to try wines by the glass.

A five-minute walk from downtown, this hotel has studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments that are simply but pleasantly furnished with fully equipped modern kitchenettes; most have castle views. A café-bar by the rooftop pool serves drinks and snacks until around midnight on weekdays (8 pm on weekends); otherwise there's just the minibar in reception.

A good base for exploring the area, this sprawling modern hotel in a tranquil park along the Nabão River has comfortable rooms with sizeable balconies or terraces, as well as views of the convent. The airy dining room in the restaurant, Grão-Mestre, has picture windows facing the park and panoramic views of the river. There's a gym, tennis courts, and indoor and outdoor pools. The staff can arrange diving in or canoeing on the Nabão.

The gleaming white-and-gold reception area of the "Star of Fátima" offers a heavenly welcome to pilgrims and travelers just steps away from the shrine, which can be see from around one third of guest rooms. This family-run inn, opened in 1958, was given a face-lift in 2019; most rooms are now in a simple, modern style but all have a safe, a minibar, a decent-size TV, and a tablet for internet use. Deluxe rooms have large walk-in showers, an espresso machine, and a larger TV.

The idyllic location—on a rise with absolutely breathtaking views of the ocean, the nearby cliffs, and a lush green valley—is by far the best thing about this hotel near the town of Lourinhã, 16 km (10 miles) northwest of Torres Vedras. The building itself is plain but makes up for it with its position (rooms with a sea view cost extra) and a wide variety of facilities, such as large indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, and a spa. Despite the name, there is no longer a full-size golf course here, but down the hill behind the hotel are a riding center and a kids club, with everything from trampolines and inflatable slides to traditional games and a miniature golf course, with prices by the hour or the day.

Named for the principal architect of the famous Batalha Monastery, this two-story stucco hotel is full of modern comforts. The outside may look rustic, but the good-size guest rooms are furnished in a simple, modern style and pamper you with plush bathrobes and towel warmers. The first-floor Vintage restaurant (€18) is renowned for its bacalhau dishes and grilled meats; it also offers a choice of salads and has a children's menu.

A couple of minutes from the basilica, this design hotel stands out for its contemporary decor highlighted by pops of bright purple and green. A fitness room and spa with sauna, steam bath, and treatment room make you feel pampered. The Palatus restaurant operates as a buffet when the hotel is particularly busy; the normal à la carte service features Portuguese classics such as bacalhau com broa (baked, with corn bread).

This bright if somewhat bare hotel sits across the road from the beach, just steps from both the sea and the center of town, with unrivaled ocean views from the lounge. All the sunny and spacious rooms have a similar view, and almost all have wrought-iron balconies. The smart restaurant (€18) serves regional and international dishes—with plenty of fresh fish, of course.

Right in the center of town with access to the beach via the flower-filled gardens, the Maré has rooms that are colorfully decorated and with balconies; family-size rooms are available. If you can't get a room with a view, head for the fifth-floor terrace to take in the panoramic vistas. Guests can enjoy a range of water sports (at added cost) on the beach, including snorkeling, windsurfing, and fishing, and staff will arrange car rentals if you prefer to explore. The hotel's range of themed packages are good value.

Balconies at this pleasantly appointed hotel have unobstructed views of the entire beach. The restaurant, which has an outdoor seating area, serves fresh fish, shellfish, and traditional Portuguese cuisine, including noteworthy caldeiradas (fish stews).

If you prefer your hotels to have an intimate feel, then you'll love this family-run place a stone's throw from the beach. Cheerful rooms surround a central courtyard and have nice touches like hardwood floors.

Two minutes from the beach, this design hotel has a glass-covered pool and whirlpool tub on the rooftop with views of the ocean and the surrounding city. The poolside terrace is also a great place to sunbathe, enjoy a cocktail, or watch the sunset. Almost all the spacious and cheerfully furnished guest rooms have balconies, and some have sea views.

With an eye-catching exterior, this contemporary hotel in the center of Fátima is a three-minute walk from the sanctuary. The decor is modern, with an expansive lobby and lounge dressed in heavenly whites with a hint of gold. The standard rooms aren't too exciting, but for not too much more you can reserve a superior rooms with all the amenities you could want. The restaurant serves Portuguese and international cuisine.

This renowned luxury hotel overlooks the ocean, and a little over half of the rooms have beautiful stone terraces with eye-popping views. With a white facade and green-tile roof, the hotel has retained a traditional Portuguese feel—think clay-potted geraniums hanging from the windows—but now has all mod cons. There are three ocean-side swimming pools, including one saltwater and one reserved for kids, as well as a spa with a sauna, steam bath, and gym.

This smart, modern hotel on the edge of the old city makes for a comfortable base from which to explore Batalha, thanks to its large spa with a whirlpool tub, sauna, and steam room, and indoor pool with views of the gardens and the monastery. Many of the spacious rooms have balconies overlooking the same monument, and all have walk-in showers. For dinner (€15), Mediterranean cuisine, including a range of Portuguese starters, is served either to the Adega dos Frades restaurant or the O Claustro bar, which boasts its own monastery views and a wide choice of spirits and fortified wines, as well as cocktails.

A 10-minute walk from the castle, this 1950s-era hotel has been transformed into a gorgeous boutique lodging. There are sweeping views of the Tagus Valley from the spacious lounge, as well as from the terraces of about half of the smartly outfitted guest rooms. There's a gym and spa, with sauna, Jacuzzi, and steam room, and an outdoor pool (open June–September). The hotel restaurant serves regional food, and the bar is open until late.

Nestled in a nature reserve on the outskirts of Fátima, this stylish resort-style lodging has cottages inspired by local architecture of the 19th and early 20th centuries—though their solar panels and open-plan interiors are completely up-to-date. The breakfast buffet is varied, and you can also order ahead for dinner (a lighter version of regional cuisine) or just snack on tasty local cheeses and hams. Spa treatments are offered in a grotto, and there's a magnesium pool with a pretty kiosk that serves cocktails and snacks in summer.

Great for golfers but also anyone who loves waking up to a view, this hotel features balconies (some of them huge) that overlook the links and the long beach at Praia da Consolação. The hotel is on a sandy stretch famed for the health-giving properties of its waters, which are attributed to the local rock. Facilities include a 9-hole golf course set amid dunes, an outdoor and an indoor pool, and a spa with whirlpool tub, sauna, and steam room.

About 1 km (½ mile) from Nazaré, in the hilltop village of Pederneira, this design hotel—its white facade offset by a turquoise-blue outdoor pool and emerald-green lawns—has fantastic views. The carpeted guest rooms are done in a bright, modern style; all but a couple have sea views, and most have balconies. Guests staying in the fully-equipped apartments in the annex have full access to hotel facilities, including free breakfast. The MarAberto restaurant puts an emphasis on matching local seafood with regional wines.

This farmstead 20 km (12½ miles) east of Abrantes is set in fertile land dotted with lagoons near the banks of the Tagus River; its 12 houses—some traditionally decorated, others strikingly modern—take advantage of this peaceful setting. Breakfast is included, and lunch and dinner may be served in the restaurant or, on request, in your accommodations. There are plenty of opportunities for country walks and birdwatching.