At Marina da Amieira you can rent a houseboat and enjoy the full length of the Alqueva lake experience

All boats have at least one bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchenette and a living area.

To rent and sail these boats, you do not need a sailing licence nor any sailing experience. Specific training on sailing, navigation and boat specifications are given, on arrival, which allows you to, in just to 2h, be able to navigate these boats

Guests can explore the tranquil waters of the Alqueva and surrounding villages at their own pace and leisure.

At the Great Alqueva Lake, you may also enjoy, boating, sailing, cycling, SUP, diving and fishing.

To rent a houseboat at Amieira Marina is a unique and highly recommended experience. For more information, click here.

The village of Juromenha belongs to the municipality of Alandroal. A fortress built essentially for its military and strategic position over on the Guadiana River.

A historical village, Juromenha was the stage for many battles, wars and looting.

It is believed to have been founded in 50 BC by Julius Caesar as “Juli Moenia” (Walls of Julius). The Muslims also settled here to be conquered and expelled in 1167 by D. Afonso Henriques. However, Juromenha was once again won over by the Moors, and only in 1191 would the village of Juromenha pass on definitively to Portuguese hands.

In 1312 D Dinis rebuilt the walls and the Castle of Juromenha, and the land became under the domain of the Order of Avis. Several other reconstructions took place because of the devastation wrought by the wars, the explosion of a gunpowder warehouse, and the earthquake of 1755. By 1920, it had lost most of its population, and so began the abandonment and neglect that we now find it.

However, it still has its charm, with the remaining fortress, tower and church, and by the stunning view of the Guadiana.

Formerly at the top of the hill where it needed a donkey to carry the water of the Guadiana river to the top, nowadays, with the rise of the Alqueva waters, the small village became a small peninsula, surrounded by the calm deep blue waters of the Alqueva, accessible by a single road.

The inhabitants of the village of Luz  (Village of Light) had two possibilities since their village would be submerged with the creation of the Great Alqueva Lake:

Receive compensation and be integrated into neighbouring villages or build a brand new town, a replica of the existing village, 2 km further up

Having opted for the second possibility, the new Village of Luz was built to house the 350 inhabitants from the old one. Also present is the museum a testimony of bygone times

Scattered along the Alqueva lake are the beach of Mourão, Monsaraz, Cheles and Tapada Grande, all with excellent infrastructures and perfect to cool down, mainly due to the quality of the water, accessibility, support equipment and green spaces around.

It is also Internationally certified as a Dark Sky Reserve, or “Starlight Tourism Destination.”

Stargaze in an immense area where public lighting has been reduced to a minimum. All to ensure an uninterrupted view of the star-filled sky. It is truly an open-air planetarium.

Gaspacho à Alentejana is one of the typical dishes of the region. A soup that is served cold, made with tomato, pepper, cucumber, bread and coriander. Great for hot days.