12 Best Hotels in Évora and the Alentejo, Portugal

This whitewashed country house is on a huge farm estate surrounded by cork and pine trees, about 3 km (2 miles) outside Alcácer do Sal. Red-and-white-striped curtains and bedcovers elegantly match the red-clay-tile floors, while bathrooms are decorated in blue-and-white Alcobaça tiles. Game lovers can feast in the on-site restaurant. There's also a vineyard and wine-tasting room.

The essential architectural elements of a castle—including crenellated battlements and massive round towers—have been retained in this pousada located within the walls of the fortress at the edge of the village. Vaulted ceilings, red-clay-tile floors, oil paintings with gold-leaf picture frames, and red-and-gold-patterned upholstery add to the medieval atmosphere. Rooms fit for a king have beautiful arched Manueline windows and stone window benches. More than any other pousada, this really feels like you're staying in a 15th-century castle, with window seats set in thick walls that look out onto rolling plains. The cozy restaurant, open to the public, serves a variety of Alentejo specialties, including an excellent bacalhau caldeirada (codfish stew).

Named for its friendly owner, Maria Luisa, this historic guesthouse, decorated with antiques and local textiles, offers a great location on the edge of Castelo de Vide. The breakfast is a feast of homemade cakes, fresh fruit, and local cured meats, all served on the terrace overlooking Maria Luisa's flower garden. Don't be surprised if she greets you with tea and homemade bread and jam after your long day of sightseeing. Maria can lend you maps of the area.

A five-minute walk from the beach, this two-story complex features several apartments and villas with fireplaces and other unexpected amenities. Some also have balconies or rooftop terraces where you can enjoy the breeze. The restaurant and bar, with its rustic beams and stonework, serves delicious regional cooking. There's a gym and spa, along with an indoor pool.

Just outside town sits this sprawling establishment that is a great option for families—there are huge swimming pools (both indoor and outdoor) and lots of activities for kids. Parents aren't left out, as you can join wine tastings, city tours, and excursions in the countryside. The modern guest rooms are generously proportioned and have balconies. Public areas are light and spacious, as is the dining room, which presents a delicious buffet of regional specialties on Sunday.

Often overlooked in favor of its glitzier sister hotel, the Hotel M'AR de AR Muralhas is a gorgeous oasis with balconies and terraces facing a secluded swimming pool and a pretty garden. This is where the storied Hotel Cartuxa once stood, and renovations have kept that longtime favorite's charm while adding gleaming whitewashed walls and all the modern conveniences. The location is great, within the city walls but far enough to be surprisingly tranquil. Modern rooms retain rustic touches like authentic Alentejo textiles.

A mile from the historic quarter, this hotel is housed in an 18th-century manor house with sprawling gardens, a heated outdoor swimming pool, and plenty of period charm. Bicycles are free for guests who want to cycle up the road to the walled old city. The main building has colonnaded Arabic-style arches out front, huge hearths and tiled floors inside, and is chock-full of local antiques. You can rent a room or a suite in the main building, or an entire cottage out back. It has one of the biggest and best breakfast spreads in town, with homemade bread and jam.

In a restored 19th-century manor near the old city walls, this lodging has a huge swimming pool and patio overlooking vineyards and farmland that slope down from the edges of Estremoz. Some rooms have their own fireplace and whirlpool tubs. The lovely restaurant, open to the public, is decorated with intricate tile mosaics and a roaring communal fireplace. The luxurious spa is decorated similarly. Friendly, multilingual Belgian-Portuguese manager Evangeline can help arrange wine or ceramics tours, or hiking trips into the neighboring countryside.

Surrounded by spacious gardens, this former 13th-century convent has been tastefully converted into a comfortable pousada. The former chapel has been preserved and incorporated into the complex. Alentejo dishes fill the menu in the impressive restaurant, with vaulted ceilings and a regular piano player. The bacalhau com natas (salt cod cooked with a cream sauce) is delicious. There's an outdoor pool, tennis court, and a game room for kids.

About 8 km (5 miles) outside Elvas, this palm-shaded estate makes for a restful overnight stop near the Portugal–Spain border. The property covers more than 30 acres, with a sprawling main building, 18th-century chapel, and outdoor swimming pool. There's a good restaurant serving traditional Alentejan fare, and an even better bar with huge cozy fireplace. The staff can help you book horseback riding, hiking, or bicycle excursions.

Steps from the beach and the town center, this hotel is a favorite among the surfers, cyclists, kayakers, and hikers making their way along the Rota Vicentina. The hotel can also help you rent bicycles, paddleboards, and canoes. There's a variety of rooms and apartments, all with views of the river or the ocean.