Reaching the Alentejo region—known for vineyards, medieval architecture, and Roman villages—is easy by car or private transfer. Beja and Évora are the most well-known towns in this region. Taking public transportation is convenient and provides impressive views of the landscape as you sit back and relax till you reach your destination.
Consider this energizing Alentejo Cycling 7-day Adventure Tour where you’ll be in contact with your surroundings as you pass by forests and meadows, visit Alentejo's vineyards and medieval villages.
From Lisbon
Duration: 2 hours by car, 2-3 hours by train, and 2.5-3.5 hours by bus
Driving is an easy and quick way to reach the Alentejo region, a distance of 111 miles (178 km). You can reach the town of Beja in 2 hours taking the A2 toll highway for most of the journey before merging onto the IP8 highway for the last leg of the trip. Shortly after leaving Lisbon, you’ll cross the Tagus River on the Ponte 25 de Abril suspension bridge. You'll pass by small towns, farms, and shrubland.
If you want to avoid toll highways—there are alternatives—just be prepared for a longer travel time.
Reaching Beja by train is convenient from Lisbon. Trains depart from four stations—Entrecampos, Oriente, Santa Apolonia, and Sete Rios—with services in the morning and in the evening. Train travel is 2-3 hours depending on the route and type of train. You can purchase train tickets online or at the station.
Traveling by bus is comfortable with many departures daily. Rede-Expressos is the bus company offering frequent service throughout the day, leaving from Sete Rios Station. The journey takes 2 hours and fifteen minutes to 3 hours and fifteen minutes. Tickets can be purchased in advance or on the day of departure.
From Faro
Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes by car, 3 hours and 30 minutes by train or 4 hours and 15 minutes by bus
Going by car is straightforward with the quickest route taking 2 hours and fifteen minutes to reach the historic Roman town of Beja, a distance of 91 miles (147 km). Your journey begins on the A22—an electronic toll road in the Algarve—before turning onto the IP2, also known as E802. If you prefer, you can continue to reach the medieval town of Évora.
Taking the train is a great way to see the landscape with trains going directly to the town of Évora. Trains depart 3 times per day during the week with limited service on Sundays. The fastest train leaves in the morning with a journey time of 3 hours and thirty minutes and the other two take approximately 4 and a half hours. You’ll have to walk fifteen minutes to reach the center of town or you can take a taxi.
You have the option to buy a Tourist/2nd Class or First-class ticket. First-class offers more room, spacious seating and electrical outlets to charge your devices. Tickets can be purchased in-person or online from Comboios de Portugal, the Portuguese rail website.
Redes Expressos provides several departures per day, depending on the time of year. Buses depart from the Faro Bus Station and take between 4 hours and fifteen minutes to 4 hours and forty-five minutes depending on the time you choose. Wi-fi is free on-board. You can buy your ticket online or at the station.