Arraiolos

Leaving Montemor-o-Novo, take the N4 for the 20-kilometer drive to Arraiolos, a picturesque town climbing to a 14th-century castle overlooking the Alentejo Plain. A beautiful blue-and-white church shares the hilltop. Not for the last time, you’ll notice that the otherwise whitewashed houses are colorfully painted halfway up. The town is noted for its woven woolen carpets (tapetes), continuing a craft practiced here since the 16th century. The designs have an almost Oriental quality and are done in a variety of vivid colors. The easiest way to reach the heart of the town is to follow signposts for Pavia and the Pousada de Arraiolos–Nossa Senhora da Assunção. If you want to stay overnight and take your time picking out a perfect carpet in Arraiolos, this pousada is an excellent choice.