Just a 20-minutes drive away from Estremoz, you will find the small and beautiful town of Vila Viçosa. Besides its picturesque center, the small town in the Alentejo has some great activities and places to discover. It’s no wonder that Vila Viçosa is also called the Sintra of the Alentejo. In this article, we will show you the best things to do in Vila Viçosa and why this town is a great choice, when you are on vacation in the Alentejo region.
Ducal Palace of Vila Viçosa
For sure, one of the best things to do in Vila Viçosa is to visit the Ducal Palace from the 16th century. This palace in the heart of the town sets the tone and spreads its royal vibes everywhere. With it’s imposing facade, the Ducal Palace became one of the favourite residences of the Portuguese royal court. Even if this beautiful palace was later turned into a museum, it’s definitely worth a visit.
Unfortunately, the tours inside are in Portuguese, but even if you don’t understand every word you will fall in love with the interior of this former royal residence. On top, you will get the chance to look inside the kitchen and the amazing rooms of the royal families. However, keep in mind that taking photos is not allowed during the tour. Good to know: You can only buy tickets at the entrance of the palace.
Marble tour in Vila Viçosa
As Vila Viçosa is also know as the Portuguese capital of marble, one of the highlights to experience in this town is the marble tour. From here, the renowned Portuguese marble is delivered all around the world. Even inside the town, you will find a lot of marble and therefore the tour starts directly in the center of Vila Viçosa.
Photo from Rota do Marmore
During the tour, you will visit a marble quarry as well as a marble factory in order to experience the full marble production. Besides that, visitors will also have the chance to take photos during the tour. Together with a local guide, you will get to know more about Vila Viçosa and its marble history. If you also want to take part in this unique marble experience, you can book a ticket under this link*.
Walk through the Avenida da República
Vila Viçosa might be small, but its royal touch can be felt everywhere. One of the things we can recommend is to take a walk through the central boulevard called Avenida da República. Surrounded by trees, cafés and small shops, you will dive into a medieval quarter with a charming touch.
Due to the fact that Vila Viçosa is less known among tourists, you will have a great and calm time there. Switch on the time machine and experience a place, where it feels like time seems to stand still.
Discover the castle of Vila Viçosa
Not far from the Ducal Palace, you will find the castle of Vila Viçosa. It was constructed even before the Ducal Palace and served as the base for the royal family (House of Bragança). If you want to enter, there are many entrace gates on different sides to do so.
For us, it’s not a must-visit, but if you still have time, it will perfectly round off your daytrip. When you enter, have a look at the small colourful houses inside the walls of the castle.
Is Vila Viçosa worth a visit?
The small royal town of Vila Viçosa is a great place for everyone who is looking for a calm and beautiful town to explore. Even if the town is quite small, it looks very clean and has this royal atmosphere. Together with a visit of the Ducal palace and the unique marble tour, Vila Viçosa is worth a daytrip and will definitely stay in your memories. It’s like these beautiful small towns that have something special far away from the tourist crowds.
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