Alqueva, Sierra Suroeste and Tentudía

Tentudía lends its name to a region comprised of several villages that have in common both the medieval presence of the Order of Santiago, and a devotion for the Virgin of Tentudía, in whose honour the Virgen de Tentudía Monastery was built, now one of the most important in Extremadura, where a pilgrimage is held every September.

But if one feature stands out above all others in this region, it is nature, and the routes through this land will reveal breathtakingly beautiful mountains where you can enjoy spectacular views of the typical dehesas, or pasture lands, of the province of Badajoz, where Iberian pigs root around to their hearts' content.

Because Iberian ham is so important in this region, that it even has its own festival. Iberian Ham Day is held in Monesterio, and is visited by large numbers of people. Also popular are the festivals of San Isidro and La Chanfaina in Fuente de Cantos, or the capeas in Segura de León. All four have been declared Festivals of Tourist Interest.

East of Tentudía you will find the Sierra Suroeste area, the result of the fusion of multiple civilisations who left their mark here. Its historical and artistic heritage, the religious legacy of each of its villages and of course, its natural beauty, will not leave you feeling indifferent.

If you want to visit at exactly the right time, time your trip to coincide with fiestas declared Festivals of Tourist Interest in Extremadura: Holy Week in Jerez de los Caballeros. Or also with the International Festival of La Sierra in Fregenal de la Sierra or the Pasión Viviente in Oliva de la Frontera declared Festivals of Tourist Interest in Spain. Another important event is the Iberian Ham Show in Jerez de los Caballeros.

Finally, the lands of the Great Lake of Alqueva stretch along both sides of the border between Spain and Portugal. The outline of its shore lends this area a host of beautiful nooks and crannies, a luxury indeed to be enjoyed by all. On or beside itswaters many activities are available for your enjoyment: boat rides, canoeing, fishing, hiking, etc., so that you can soak up this scenery full of life and an extraordinary wealth of plants and animals.