Alqueva Taking a Tour

Lake`s Location:

Localized in the middle of Alentejo, in the south of Portugal, Alqueva dam and all the structure around it has direct influence in the region surrounding the dam and in other regions that will take some benefit of the water supply that will be possible with this structure.
There are 19 cities, of the geographical region of Alentejo, that lies on the left and right margin of the Guadiana River, that will take benefit of the Alqueva big complex structure. The complex starts in the dam, in the middle of Guadiana river, right before the river Degebe, and is influenced by other river called Ardila.
The dam water sheet stands for 83 km, along the cities of Moura, Portel, Murão, Reguengos de Monsaraz and Alandroal. It has a capacity of 4150 millions of cubic meters of water, and 3150 of them can be explored by the cities surrounding the dam.
Has in what fisheries by boat concerns, we must take care with the river bed, has it is very straight, with dangerous obstacles, with a very small depth. You must use instruments too control the depth, and that can help you too with the fisheries
Another thing that you must have in mind, if you’re planning to visit and to fish in Alqueva dam, is the bushes on the margins of the river that can harm your boat. In this colossal dam you can practice many kinds of fishing techniques.





Possiblities:






The lands around the Alqueva lake offer unique sensations and opportunities to visitor, investors, persons are looking to establish a new existence or want to find the right place for retiring. In a breathtaking way the "new" water is embedded in the landscape very naturally and offers an environment free of any pollution.
For the tourist the visit of the small villages like Amieira, Alqueva and Estrela directly on the water is a wonderful destination, where a lot of activities can be done: boat trips, sailing, horse riding, swimming, fishing... Visitors wanting to enjoy archaeological and architectonic patrimony can visit Alandroal, Portel, Monsaraz, Juromenha and Terena.






The never-ending nature and old roads are waiting to be discovered by walking, biking, riding or a cross-country car.


A visit of the biggest ostrich farm in Portugal with a restaurant and a small farm shop between Alqueva and Amieira (http://inn.baronigg.com), no entrance fee, is also a "must"
as well as to enjoy the picturesque castle of Monasaz (World Culture Heritage) where you feel like in the Middle Ages.

The famous vineyards of Esporão (www.carmim.online.pt - page in English and Portuguese) invite the connoisseur of wines as well as everybody who likes to taste the fabulous Alentejo Red Wine.

Innumerable traditional and modern "Festas", Festivals, Fairs, Markets and sport competitions offer the visitor a wide range of entertainment.
There are accommodations around the Alqueva Lake: Portel: Residencial, Hotel, B&B, agro-touristic Amieira: B&B, Rural Hotel, Reguengos: Hotel, Residencial Monsaraz: Hotel, Residencial, B&B, Agro-touristic Mourão: B&B Moura: Hotel, Residencials
Also the night life offers a variety of entertainment, beginning with the small typical bars, where sometimes old men sing the traditional rural songs (in all villages and cities), pubs (Amieria, Reguengos, Mourão, Moura) and ending with small and big discotheques (Portel, Reguengos, Vila Nueva de Fresno, Viana, Beja, Evora)


Maps:

With a surface of 250 km2, a lakeside of 1.200 km (about 1.000 km on Portuguese territory, the rest in Spain) and a length of about 85 km the "Barragem de Alqueva" is today the biggest artificial lake in Europe.

Infra-structure:

Due to the construction of the dam all streets and roads around the lake have been rebuilt. Formerly a trip from the Eastern Alentejo to Lisbon, the west coast or the Algarve has been a adventure during several hours. Now the whole region is comfortableto reach from the capital and the Algarve within 2 hours.
The new international Airport of Beja (formerly a very large Military Airbase) will be reconstructed in 2006 and opened in 2007 (source: www.edab.pt - page in portuguese) and will offer the Visitors and residents around the Alqueva Lake a ideal connection with Low-Cost and Charter Airlines to the major destinations of West- and Central Europe.