Pousada de Marvao

The Pousada Marvao is a traditional-style, four-star hotel in the heart of the Serra de Sao Mamede Natural Park.

The walled village of Marvao is one of the true gems of rural Portugal. Sitting proud on a 800m high escarpment, this medieval village once guarded the country’s eastern border with Spain. Nowadays, it’s a popular destination with day visitors – spending a few nights within its fortified walls is the best way to appreciate historic Marvao.

The Pousada Marvao began life as four small, traditional houses and was one of the very first Pousadas de Portugal to be built in the 1940s. The oldest and cosiest rooms are in this section of the hotel, and have a wonderful sweeping view across the plains of Alentejo with Spain beyond. The hotel was refurbished and extended in 1992 and now has a total of thirty-one rooms – the newer rooms are more spacious and overlook the inner courtyard. The décor is comfortable and homely, in keeping with the Pousada’s traditional origins, with hand-painted furniture and warm floral fabrics.

The on-site Ninho d’Aguias restaurant offers an excellent selection of local dishes – although it’s easy to be distracted by the restaurant’s magnificent, panoramic view of the flatlands of eastern Alentejo.