a mini guide to Marvão

Marvão is a village located in Portalegre, in the Alentejo region. It is located on top of the Mountain of São Mamede at an altitude of 840 m, and at a short distance from the Spanish border.

It is an emblematic village that due to its fantastic and strategic location, offers landscapes with wonderful and precious views, in addition to history and heritage for having once protected the border between Portugal and Spain.

Continue reading about this fantastic destination in our guide!

Why go there?

In Marvão there is a remarkable atmosphere of peace and tranquility, where time seems to pass more calmly and urban stress is off limits in this town.

Marvão is full of heritage, monuments and charm and gives a major highlight to Alentejo culture and architecture, popular and traditional. It also conveys a historic and medieval feeling, as it is surrounded by walls from the 13th and 18th centuries.

What to do?

The first option is to visit the Marvão Castle, located in the Sapoio Mountains. It is called the most inaccessible fortress in the country, which explains its importance in relation to the border. From here we have access to an extraordinary and remarkable landscape.   

The Municipal Museum of Marvão, is located in the Church of Santa Maria, closed to worship for a long time. Here we find exhibitions about the rich and varied collection of the history of Marvão, from the Paleolithic to Modernity, among other temporary exhibitions. An excellent option if you want to know more about this land from a deeper point of view. 

Moinho da Cova is an interpretation center, which focuses on the culture and environment of the region. It is installed in an old water mill and allows the interactive reproduction of an activity of great importance to the region, the grinding. This center aims to support tourism, culture and local traditions.

Portagem is a picturesque rural village, bathed by the Sever river, which provides the locality with a very pleasant place to relax. According to the local legend, “Portagem” is said to have come from the Jews expelled from Spain, who paid the “toll” to enter Portugal via the old bridge.

The National Road 246 – 1 is one of the most beautiful in Portugal. There are fewer and fewer roads and places this “out of a fairy tale”. It’s an idyllic scenery worth driving through. 

On the surroundings of Marvão, we find Castelo de Vide. Another traditional town that is worth visiting. 

where to stay?

Corkshack Marvão | Monte das Mariolas (see more options with exclusive Discounts with our BPH CARD!)

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where to eat?

Try the local’s Alcatra with Nisa cheese in ‘Fago’. Visit ‘Varanda do Alentejo’ for typical dishes such as tomato soup and Potato crumbs.

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