Horse Riding Holidays in Alentejo
Discover our trail riding holidays in Portugal’s Serra de Grandola! A region of unspoiled natural beauty looking over the Atlantic Ocean. Here, you can enjoy the best of two worlds: the beauty of the coast and the tranquility of the forests! This is an adventurous riding holiday with plenty of home comforts. The emphasis is mainly on fun, scenic rides, but also amazing culture and food! Quality accommodation is included, as well as transfers to and from the airport! You are welcome to join us for a long weekend or a full week.
Why ride in Serra da Grandola?
In Serra da Grandola you can experience a landscape and way of life that has remained largely untouched for centuries. The calm atmosphere will indeed make you feel a million miles from the concerns of day-to-day life!
The stables are located only 15 km from the golden, sandy beaches of the Atlantic Ocean. They form part of a quinta (farming estate) that has been in the family since the 17th century, so you can rest assured your hosts know the area well!
What you can see on our tours
All the riding tours have been carefully planned to show you the best of this region. Each day you will get to explore a different trail. Experienced riders will have the chance to ride on the beach or the by the gorgeous Melides coastal lagoon. On our week long holiday, one of the most special moments is our sunrise ride along the dunes, with just the sound of hoof beats and the ocean beyond.
All the routes can be adapted to your riding skills accordingly. The horses are well trained, steady and calm so you don’t have to be the world’s greatest rider to come but if you are then there are also lots of opportunities for canters!
Highlights of the riding routes include:
- gorgeous sea views, Roman ruins
- 60km of unspoilt beach
- historic towns and castles including Melides, Comporta, Santiago do Cacem and Alcacer do Sal
- the lagoons of Melides and Santo André and the Sado river
- countryside, cork forests, rice fields
- the chance to spot wild life including a good variety of birds.
Looking for a one day trek or lessons? Check our our Alentejo Horse Riding Day Trips!
1 Week Holiday
8 days, 7 nights, 5 days riding
Day 1
Arrival in Lisbon International Airport and transfer at 17:30 from the meeting point. You will travel south for approximately 120km, to your accommodation at Uva do Monte or Serenada located in Grândola, 1,5km from the sea. Uva do Monte and Serenada are charming rural houses with friendly staff and equipped with all the comfort of a modern hotel. Here you will find a relaxed atmosphere where you can swim or rest in the comfortable rooms before your first day in the saddle. Dinner on the first evening is at a typical Alentejo restaurant Tia Rosa which is 5 minutes by car from your hotel, where the speciality of the house is arroz de pato – duck rice.
Day 2
Today we start with a short drive to the stables. We start the ride from here through the hills of Grândola you will enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the sea. After the first few canters, you will notice that the horses are sure footed and have a wonderful character. Lunch will be a delicious picnic prepared with grilled meats and salad accompanied by fresh bread and of course great Portuguese wine! After a rest we will ride back through the forest to the coudelaria where we will stable the horses. A short transfer of 10 mins will take you back to your hotel, Uva do Monte/Serenada, where you can refresh yourselves, have a swim in the pool and prepare for dinner. This evening we will go to Fadista Restaurant in Melides.
Day 3
Today you will ride through eucalyptus forests, enjoying their distinctive perfume and hear the bark crunching underneath the horses’ hooves.
Lunch will be at the Lagoon of Santo André where we can eat the grilled specialities of the house (fresh fish or meat). Afterwards we can have some fast canters on the sandy trails that cross this part of the Portuguese countryside.
Dinner and overnight at, Uva do Monte/Serenada.
Day 4
Before departing today please leave all your belongings packed as they will be transferred during the day to our next hotel Brejo da Amada (or Sublime Comporta if you would like a luxury upgrade).
Today we will ride from Uva do Monte/Serenada to the beach. It’s a beautiful ride at first light as the sun rises over the dunes. There is the possibility of a beach canter before reaching a lovely picnic spot in the pine forest where our horses will rest. You can take this opportunity to have a swim in the sea or just relax. After lunch we will ride through the dunes, to Brejo da Amada or Sublime Comporta, where we will have a superb dinner and stay overnight.
Day 5
Rest day at Brejo da Amada or Sublime Comporta. This is a small countryside resort were you can walk through the pine forest, ride a bike or just sit back and relax by the swimming pool. An optional extra is a visit to the old village of Alcácer do Sal where we can visit one of the oldest handmade saddlery establishments in Portugal.
Day 6
Today we will ride from Brejo da Amada or Sublime Comporta to the beach of Comporta through the rice fields. It’s a beautiful morning ride with the possibility of a beach canter before reaching a lovely picnic spot in the dunes area where your horses rest and you can swim in the sea. After lunch we ride through the dunes to Brejo da Amada or Sublime Comporta, for overnight.
Dinner will be at a good local restaurant.
Day 7
Today we ride from Brejo da Amada or Sublime Comporta to the Sado River. You will have many opportunities for faster riding through the pine forests on red earth paths alternating with sand paths. We may meet herds of cattle or sheep. Lunch will be at a local restaurant in Carvalhal. After lunch, on our return, we can enjoy a nice refreshing swim before arriving in Brejo da Amada/Sublime Comporta. Farewell dinner and overnight in Brejo da Amada or Sublime Comporta.
Day 8
After breakfast, transfer back to Lisbon International Airport and departure.
Travel by plane: Portugal’s main International airport is Lisbon’s Portela Airport. If you are flying in you will be met here. If you prefer to travel by car you can join us at Lisbon’s Portela Airport, or we can pick you up at the main door of the Church of Melides.
Transfer/Arrival: On Saturday at 17:30 from Lisbon airport.
Transfer/Departure: On Saturday at 10:30 going to Lisbon airport.
Guide: English and French speaking.
Horses: Good natured, sure footed Portuguese Lusitanos trained for trails, using very comfortable sheepskin Portuguese military saddles.
Level & Experience: Intermediate. When booking, please provide us with information about your riding skills and experience to help us to establish your ability for the holiday.
Pace: Moderate with trotting and medium to long canters. Some gallops.
Maximum weight: 85kg (188lbs).
Numbers: minimum : 4 people Maximum: 10 (extra supplement for 2)
Lodging: Good hotels, pousadas, country houses, and private estates. Double and single rooms are available.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Special requirements should be made in advance eg. Vegetarian, restricted diets etc.
Non- riders welcome to accompany.
Own horse: Not allowed
4 days, 3 nights, 2.5 days riding
Day 1
Arrival in Lisbon International Airport and transfer at 17:30 from the meeting point. You will travel south for approximately 120km, to your accommodation at Uva do Monte or Serenada located in Grândola, 1,5km from the sea. Uva do Monte and Serenada are charming rural houses with friendly staff and equipped with all the comfort of a modern hotel. Here you will find a relaxed atmosphere where you can swim or rest in the comfortable rooms before your first day in the saddle. Dinner on the first evening is at a typical Alentejo restaurant Tia Rosa which is 5 minutes by car from your hotel, where the speciality of the house is arroz de pato – duck rice.
Day 2
Today we start with a short drive to the stables. We start the ride from here through the hills of Grândola you will enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the sea. After the first few canters, you will notice that the horses are sure footed and have a wonderful character. Lunch will be a delicious picnic prepared with grilled meats and salad accompanied by fresh bread and of course great Portuguese wine! After a rest we will ride back through the forest to the coudelaria. A short transfer of 10 mins will have you back at your hotel, Uva do Monte or Serenada, where you can refresh, have a swim in the pool and prepare for dinner, this evening we will be going to Fadista Restaurant in Melides.
Day 3
Today you will ride through eucalyptus forests, enjoying their distinctive perfume and hear the bark crunching underneath the horses’ hooves.
Lunch will be at the Lagoon of Santo André where we can eat the grilled specialities of the house (fresh fish or meat). Afterwards we have the opportunity for some fast canters on the sandy trails that cross this part of the Portuguese countryside.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel, Uva do Monte or Serenada.
Day 4
Today we ride from Uva do Monte/Serenada to the village of Melides. Today there will be more opportunities for faster riding through the pine forests on red earth paths alternating with those of sand, we may meet herds of cattle or sheep. Lunch will be at a local restaurant in Melides. We will end our wonderful tour on this typical Alentejo town, Melides, where we will have lunch. After lunch, transfer to Lisbon International Airport and departure.
Travel by plane: Portugal’s main International airport is Lisbon’s Portela Airport. If you are flying in you will be met here. If you prefer to travel by car you can join us at Lisbon’s Portela Airport, or we can pick you up at the main door of the Church of Melides.
Transfer/Arrival: On Saturday at 17:30 from Lisbon airport.
Transfer/Departure: On Saturday at 10:30 going to Lisbon airport.
Guide: English and French speaking.
Horses: Good natured, sure footed Portuguese Lusitanos trained for trails, using very comfortable sheepskin Portuguese military saddles.
Level & Experience: Intermediate. When booking, please provide us with information about your riding skills and experience to help us to establish your ability for the holiday.
Pace: Moderate with trotting and medium to long canters. Some gallops.
Maximum weight: 85kg (188lbs).
Numbers: minimum : 4 people Maximum: 10 (extra supplement for 2)
Lodging: Good hotels, pousadas, country houses, and private estates. Double and single rooms are available.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Special requirements should be made in advance eg. Vegetarian, restricted diets etc.
Non- riders welcome to accompany.
Own horse: Not allowed
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