Yesterday I went on a longer daytrip leaving Monchique early in the morning (If you could call 8:30 am early) for a daytrip up north into the northern parts of the Alentejo region of Portugal. On the way up north I was following the N2 national road in wide sweeping curves as the landscape became flatter pulling away from the Serra Monchique and the Algarve.

My first stop was in the UNESCO world heritage city of Evora for a fuel stop, bulb purchase and change. As all is still closed due to the lockdown I did a quick sightseeing tours of all towns on todays trip on my trusty GS 1200. I have been to Evora a couple of days before and did not spend much time here today, I was eager to go up north.

The first planned stop was just north of Evora called Evora Monte, a cute little town with a cute castle on top of the hill. I found it amazing that I could drive right up and into the village that nested within the tall castle walls itself. The walls of the houses left and right only inches away. Very cool. An experience that should repeat itself again and again throughout the day.

Next stop up north where the city of Estremoz and the villages of Borba and Vila Viçosa. All three are within the marble mining area. A lot of building and monuments are made out of marble here. Borba does not have a castle but Estremoz and Vila Viçosa do. I found Vila Viçosa in particular picturesque again driving around the tiny village within the castle walls. I found some shade with a view and had a picnic lunch here as well. By now I was on the road for 4 1/2 hours.

On the way up north I passed the picturesque town of Monforte to do a little tour around the inner parts before moving on to my target area and turnaround point for this trip, the area around Portalegre.

Near Portalegre is the mountain village and castle of Marvão perched on top of a steep mountain. This was the only place I could not drive in and around in. The view of the surrounding area is stunning. Very cool.

Next was the little town of Castelo de Vide with a castle in the middle. I truly enjoyed this gem of a little city riding around within and in very narrow streets. Awesome place.

Portalegre is a bigger city, still beautiful to ride around within. The castle is under renovation. A fuel stop was in order and a bit of stretch the legs time.

On the way south I chose a different path closer to the Spanish border. I did a short drive in visit to Campo Major before coming to yet another UNESCO world heritage site, the small city of Elvas. Here I fell almost off my bike, such beauty. Stunning. I was marveling at the huge citadel were the old town is located within. Driving around in its narrow streets kept my head on a swivel, such beautyful place. Whow. And then the huge Aquaeduct. This was just such an awesome place. Whow.

As it was getting late in the day I made only two more drive by visits in Alandoral and beautiful little Redondo. In Beja it was time for another fuel stop and a bite to eat. No drive in visit here as I came for a visit a couple of weeks prior.

Passing Castro Verde and Ourique, both visited previously, I made it safe and sound back to Monchique after close to 800 km driven in 11 hours.

What a trip it was. Whow. The central and north eastern areas if the Alentejo are sparsley populated within antique castles, villages, towns and cities where people live a traditional lifestyle away from tourism. The roads are in good shape with little traffic. Gas stations are aplenty.

I put some images on my instagram account #knorkemopete.

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www.andreaswmatthes.com living in Friuli, Northern Italy