Portugal

290
ALENTEJO & RIBATEJO
11
VILA NOVA DE MILFONTES
6 VILA NOVA DE MILFONTES
32km (20 miles) SW of Santiago do Cacém; 186km (115 miles) S of Lisbon
A good stopover in lower Alentejo as you’re heading south to the Algarve is the little
beach town of Vila Nova de Milfontes. At the wide mouth of the Mira River, the sleepy
resort is attracting more visitors because of the soft white-sand beaches that line both
sides of the river. There are no other attractions and nothing to do here but relax, or
perhaps search for antiques.
The castle that once protected the area from Moroccan and Algerian pirates has been
restored and is now an inn. After a day on the beach, you can head south to even more
beaches.
ESSENTIALS
Arriving
BY TRAIN There is no train service from Lisbon.
BY BUS Five express buses a day make the trip from Lisbon. It takes 4 hours and costs
14€ one-way. For schedules, call & 70/722-33-44 in Vila Nova de Milfontes.
BY CAR Chances are, you’ll drive south from Setúbal (see chapter 8). Continue along
N261 in the direction of Sines, and then follow N120-1 until you see the cutoff heading
west in Vila Nova de Milfontes.
Visitor Information
The tourist office is on Rua António Mantas (& 28/399-65-99; www.cm-odemira.pt).
In winter, it’s open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 1pm and 2 to 6pm; in summer, hours
are Tuesday to Thursday 10am to 8pm, Friday to Monday 11am to 1pm and 2 to 7pm.
WHERE TO STAY
Expensive
Castelo de Milfontes This charming inn makes for one of the best stopovers
on the drive from Lisbon to the Algarve. High on a hill “guarding” the town, the
hotel is set in a 17th-century castle with panoramic views of the sea. It’s about a 3-minute
walk from the center. The well-appointed midsize to spacious rooms contain old-fashioned
furniture or antiques. The bathrooms are well maintained and contain neatly kept
but small bathrooms. The on-site restaurant’s cuisine is well prepared, with an emphasis
on fresh seafood.
Castelo de Milfontes, 7645-234 Vila Nova de Milfontes. & 28/399-82-31. Fax 28/399-71-22. 7 units.
160€–175€ double. Rates include buffet breakfast and dinner. No credit cards. Amenities: Restaurant;
bar. In room: Hair dryer.
Inexpensive
Casa dos Arcos In the center of town, and just a 5-minute walk from the beach, is
this simple yet comfortable pension. The small to midsize guest rooms were modernized
with neatly kept bathrooms. There is no grandeur or pretense here—the place provides
an adequate stopover for the night, nothing more.
Rua do Cais, 7645-236 Vila Nova de Milfontes. & 28/399-62-64. Fax 28/399-71-56. 25 units. 40€–70€
double. Rates include buffet breakfast. No credit cards. Amenities: Breakfast room. In room: A/C, TV.