The houses are located directly underneath the 13th century Castle of Portel. From the courtyard garden in the back of number 16 you are staring directly up at the castle walls. From the garden in 17 there is a spectacular view towards the west, encompassing most of Portel and the outlying countryside. Short of staying in the Castle itself it would be difficult to imagine a more prominent view of the local area. There are two places to park near the house, both free, in Rua do Outeiro, which requires a one minute walk up some steps or in the Castle car park which bypasses the steps altogether, As the owner I am very happy to carry any luggage to the houses if requested but would ask that people bear the location in mind before booking.

Portel is a small town in a rural area of Portugal.The area is famous for local produce, specifically cork, wine and olives. For a town the size of Portel there are a surprising number of festas throughout the year, staring with the Congresso das Acordas in April, multiple concerts in August, Feira Medieval in October, ending the season with Feira do Montado in November. A great base for exploring the local area or just soaking in the local sights and sounds of this unspoilt pristine town on the edge of the Alentejo plains. The town has a Cinema, a large outdoor swimming pool open in summer, many cafes and restaurants, a supermarket, monthly market and architechture typical of the region with the majority of houses built in a traditional fashion with whitewashed walls and clay tiles that has not changed for centuries. Like most of Portugal everywhere is family friendly, it is also an incredibly safe area for families and individuals. The Lago de Alqueva is nearby and makes a great backdrop for a driving tour around the area. The Roman town of Evora is 30 minutes to the N by car, or you can choose to explore any of the many small picturesque villages that define the area.