Photo by Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL · license: CC BY-SA 2.0
Alentejo · Portugal
Crato.
A whitewashed priory town amid Alentejo's vineyards and cork forests.
Wine TastingHiking
Crato sits in the Portalegre district of northern Alentejo, a whitewashed town that once held the seat of the Order of Malta's priory in Portugal. That history shaped its centre: the priory palace still anchors the old town, rising above narrow, cobbled streets lined with whitewashed houses. A short distance away, the medieval monastery of Flor da Rosa, now a hotel, reflects the Order's presence in the region, set among open farmland.
The countryside around Crato is given over to cork oak and olive groves, broken up by vineyards producing Alentejo wine.
In the town itself, small squares and whitewashed facades set a slow, settled pace. Local restaurants serve Alentejo staples such as bread soup and cured pork, often paired with wines from the estates just outside town.
Order of Malta heritageHistoric priory palaceAlentejo wine productionWhitewashed architectureCork oak forestsHiking
What you'll do here
Things to do.
- 01Visit the historic priory palace and gardens
- 02Explore the whitewashed old town streets
- 03Tour local wine estates for Alentejo wine tastings
- 04Walk through cork oak forests in the countryside
- 05Sample regional cuisine at traditional restaurants
Within a short drive
Nearby attractions.
Portalegrehistoric city with tapestry museum
Castelo de Videmedieval hilltop town with Jewish quarter
Marvaodramatic fortress town on mountain ridge
Alter do Chaoroyal stud farm for Lusitano horses
Flor da Rosamedieval monastery converted to hotel
A year in Crato
Monthly weather.
Best weatherLeast crowded
january12°/4°
Least crowded75mm
Cool and wet, a quiet season with few visitors.
february14°/5°
Least crowded65mm
Cool with occasional rain, still quiet before spring.
march17°/7°
55mm
Mild spring weather begins.
april19°/9°
Best weather50mm
Pleasant spring temperatures, good conditions for walking.
may23°/12°
Best weather40mm
Warm, mostly dry days, among the best months for weather.
june28°/15°
20mm
Hot, dry summer begins, days grow long.
july32°/17°
5mm
Very hot and dry, peak summer heat.
august32°/17°
5mm
Very hot with intense sun.
september28°/15°
Best weather25mm
Warm with occasional rain.
october22°/12°
55mm
Mild autumn weather.
november16°/8°
Least crowded75mm
Cool and wet, a quieter tourist season.
december13°/5°
85mm
Cool and rainy, a mild Alentejo winter.
Averages from the last decade · source: local weather records
More of Alentejo
Nearby destinations.
19 kmWine Tasting
Portalegre
Mountain city in Alentejo with wine production and textile heritage.
Wine Tasting
Common questions
Asked & answered.
- Spring and early autumn bring mild weather and fewer crowds than summer's heat.
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