Portel is a beautiful town in the District of Évora and the seat of a municipality that includes the village of Alqueva. Nearby lies the Alqueva Dam, which created the largest artificial lake in Europe, covering around 250 km² and boasting nearly 1,200 km of shoreline.

The town of Portel is situated between Évora and Beja, where the Alentejo plains meet the Serra de Portel. Its neighboring municipalities are Évora, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Moura, Vidigueira, Cuba, and Viana do Alentejo.

Its majestic castle, rising at the top of a hill, was built after King Afonso III granted the town to Dom João Peres de Aboim in 1261 as a reward for his services, friendship, and loyalty to the Crown.

Places to Visit:

• Castle of Portel
• Parish Church of Portel
• Church of Mercy (Igreja da Misericórdia)
• Town Hall
• Matriz Park
• Cerca de São Paulo
• Parish Museum (Museu da Freguesia)
• Church of Vera Cruz
• Alqueva Dam
• Amieira Marina
• São Bartolomeu do Outeiro Viewpoint
• Hermitage and Church of São Pedro
  Alvito Reservoir
• Serra de Portel