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North Alentejo, General Information

North Alentejo is an extensive area of about 6,000 km2. The River Tejo (Tagus) demarcates its frontier with Beira Baixa, between the mouth of the River Sever and the Belver Reservoir.

In the extreme west, the Sorraia hydrographic basin marks the transition to Ribatejo while, in the southern area, the Councils of Avis and Sousel establish a natural connection with Central Alentejo. In, the east, its boundary follows the line of the frontIer with Spain, which runs between the mouth of the Sever and the southern limit of the area of Elvas, close to the Guadiana.

From the point of view of landscape, it is beautiful and diverse, including a protected area of 31,750 hectares - the Natural park of the Serra de S. Mamede -where rises the highest peak in the Alentejo.

The climate is temperate, with both Mediterranean and ( continental characteristics. The average temperature of the coldest month is 5.8°C (Marvao) and of the hottest month is between 21.8°C and 24.4°C for the Region as a whole.

In the Spring and the Autumn, the temperatures are very pleasant and the variation moderate. The Summers are hot and dry and the winters damp and cold, with the average annual rainfall in Marvao and Portategre being the highest in the Alentejo (above 900mm).

Since these average values can include summer days with temperatures of 35° to 40° and winter days with very low temperatures, in particular on the higher ground of the Serra de S. Mamede, light, cool clothing is advised for the summer months and warm clothing for the winter.

From the administrative point of view, North Alentejo J corresponds to the District of Portalegre, There are 15 . Councils, namely: Alter do chao, Arronches, Avis, Campo Maior, Castello de Vide, Crato, Elvas, Fronteira, Gaviao, Marvao, Monforte, Nisa, Ponte de Sor, Portalegre and Sousel.

All are associated within the Tourism Region of S. Mamede, with its base in Portalegre, an autonomous regional organisation which represents them in this area.

With a resident population in the order of 126,500, the demographic density is low: about 20 inhabitants per km2, varying between a minimum of 8 inhabitants per km2 (Monforte) and a maximum of 55.2 inhabitants per km2 (Portalegre).

As well as the natural, architectural and ethnographic heritage, all tourism resources par excellence, and some industry located mainly in Portalegre and Ponte de Sor, the economic activity of the Region has developed around mining, forestry, breeding of species of game and farming, as well as products such as cork, ornamental rocks, wines, olive oil, cheeses, preserved meats and honey.

By Air The Region is served by three airports: Lisbon, Faro and Badajoz (Spain). By Land in respect of the principal road network, North Alentejo is served by two motorways (A1 and A6) which join with two principal roads (IP2 and IP6). For anyone intending to come to the Region via the principal road network, the following routes would be useful:

oming from the north coast: A1 (Porto-Lisboa) to the exit for Torres Novas, IP6 to Abrantes, main road to Ponte de Sor or Gaviao; coming from the north interior: IP2 CasteloBranco-Portalegre;

Coming from Lisbon: A6 Lisboa-Elvas or A6 Lisboa Estremoz, IP2 Estremoz-Portalegre;

Coming from the south: IP2 Beja-Evora, A6 Evora-Elvas; or A6 Evora-Estremoz, IP2 Estremoz-Portalegre;

Coming from Spain: A6 Madrid-Lisboa to Elvas; international frontier highway from Galegos-Portagem (Marvao). Anyone coming from Spain could also come into North Alentejo from Marco (Arronches) or Retiro and Ouguela (Campo Maior).

The major roads mentioned above have junctions which connect them to a dense network of national and municipal roads which cross the Region in all directions. They are of great panoramic beauty and thus provide excellent tourist routes.

Those not travelling by means of their own transport can reach the Region by train or bus. The international train service from Madrid to Lisbon stops in North Alentejo at the Marvao/Beira station. The service gives priority to international passengers.

However, when there are places available in 1st or 2nd class, passengers travelling to national destinations are accepted. There are various regional train services.

Information: tel: 212074805/6/7 (CP -Liboa); tel: 245906 121 (Portalegre Station). Internet: www.cp.pt/horarios .

The Servico Nacional de Expressos e Carreiras Urbanas (National Service of Express and Urban Buses) serves the Region from various points in the country.

Information: Portalegre Ticket Counter (fax: 245 331 558; tel: 245 330 723); Internet: www.setubalense.pt and www.rede-expressos.pt .

Those travelling by their own transport in North Alentejo, with an up-to-date map and following the signposts, will have no difficulty in getting around. Anyone visiting without this kind of independence will be able, with little trouble, to make use of the taxis (identified by a letter A on the rear doors), available in almost every locality, or by using travel agencies or activity companies or by renting a car.

In the case of the last, it is important to note that, at present, there is only one rent-a-car firm in the Region, with its base in Portalegre (Tourism Services / Activities).

In respect of regional public transport, it should be noted that the timetables are basically set to serve the work and educational needs of the inhabitants of the Region, and are therefore sometimes difficult to use for tourism purposes, especially when a short return journey on the same day is intended.

Fixed Line The national telephone network was changed in 1999. At present, all Portuguese telephone numbers begin with the number 2, and have 9 digits which include the former regional code without the initial 0. E.g. the former number for the S. Mamede Tourism region was (045) 300770, and the current number is 245 300 770, wherever the call is made from. Whenever a number that has not been updated is met, the correction can be made in the same way, with the total number of digits being 9.

This change is also valid for making contact with the Region from abroad, by dialling the number as follows (International) + 351 (Portugal) + 9 digits. No change has been made in telephoning abroad from Portugal.

Mobile Phone Currently, there are three mobile-phone operators, with the following codes: TMN (96), Telecel (91) and Optimus (93). The total number of digits to be dialled is nine, including these codes. The method of dialling abroad from these numbers is the same as for fixed-Iine telephones.

Mobile Phone Cover This is satisfactory in urban centres and along major road networks, but has deficiencies in more remote areas. In frontier areas, there is the possibility of interference from the Spanish network. You can telephone from Post Offices (CTT offices) .from public telephones (in all localities).

At least in public phone boxes within local council administrative centres, it is possible to use Visa or Multibanco cards issued by national banks. Internet at present, it is possible to send and receive e-mail in:
Alter do Chao: InfoPonto, Rua dos Arcos
Arronches: Alentejo Digital, Rua Dr:.Edmundo Curvelo
Castelo de Vide: Post (Cm Office)
Crato: Post (Cm Office)
Elvas: Post (Cm office)
Fronteira: Tourist Office
Nisa: Post (Cm Office and Tourist Office)
Ponte de Sor: Post (Cm Office)
Portalegre: Post (Cm Office and "0 seu Cibercafe -Unetverse), Rua 19 de Junho, 34.

Although priority for internet services is given to the needs of the organisations themselves and of the local populace, it is possible, also, to have recourse to the following:
Camaras Municipais (Town Halls) in Alter do Chao, Crato and Gaviao; municipal libraries in Alter do Chao, Elvas and Fronteira, Monfor:te, Nisa and Sousel; the Municipal Museum in Marvao (for reception only). In CTT offices, payment for the use of the internet can be made with Netpost, PMB and MB cards. In the near future, it is expected that means of payment will be widened to include Visa and Master card.

Sending mail and telefax: Post Offices: in all Local Council areas. Types of mail: correio normal (normal mail), correio azut (priority mail), express mail. In all local administrative towns, with the exception of Marvao, and in the following; Benavila (Avis), Cabeco de Vide (Fronteira, Gafete (Crato), Comenda (Gaviao), Santo Antonio das Areias (Marvao), Alphalao (Nisa), Cano (Sousel).The hours vary.

Service can begin between 06.00 and 09.00 in the morning and close between 21.00 and 24.00. Open 24 hours: only in Portalegre.

Traditional Shops Weekdays: 09.00 to 13.00; 15.00 to 19.00 Saturdays' 09.00 to 13.00 Shopping Centres 08.00 to 21.00 Large Shopping Centres 09.00 to 21.00; Sundays: 09.00 to 13.00 Generally, restaurant kitchens close at 22.00, with certain exceptions.

Outside these hours, snacks can be found in some cafeterias, bars and discotheques. (J, Culture, Sport and Leisure). Portugal is part of the Single European Currency Zone.

Main cards accepted by Multibanco cash dispensers: Multibanco (only issued by Portuguese banks), Visa, American Express, Master Card.

Courtesy of Tourism Region of Sao Mamede