The "Pousadas of Portugal" date back to the 40's, when Regional Pousadas (a kind of inn) were first set up, "to provide travellers with accommodation, together with food in keeping with each region's style and traditions".

In a way, the underlying concept of this original hotel-offer was inspired by the small inns of the Middle Ages, which flourished in strategic locations to provide travelers with food and rest on long journeys.

These establishments were created to faithfully reflect the architectural, decorative and gastronomic characteristics of the regions where they were located, thereby avoiding being a mere copy of the so-called international hotels.

The first Pousada, the Pousada de Santa Luzia, was inaugurated in Elvas on April 19, 1942.

In the 1950’s, a new kind of Pousada was born: the "Historical Pousada". They are situated in carefully restored monuments, mainly Castles and Convents, adapted to the needs of the modern hotel industry.

Today, the POUSADAS DE PORTUGAL are classified into two basic categories:

• Historical Pousadas - Located in adapted national monuments and/or other historical buildings.
• Regional Pousadas - Located in areas with historical connections or merely beautiful sites with special appeal. They are also to be found in natural parks and reserves.

Today, a network of 43 Pousadas, plus 2 de luxe restaurants in Lisbon (the Casa do Leão - St. George’s Castle and Cozinha Velha - Queluz Palace), provide facilities for tourists in places where hotel services were, or still are, not too well established. And, as a rule, they are located in regions with an interesting historical background and attractive scenery.

All these aspects are always bound by a common link: the preservation of the characteristics of the region where they are situated.

If you want to defend a noble cause, a strategic plan or take a momentous decision, try doing it in a castle.

Some of Portugal's Pousadas have conference halls and a support service for sales meetings, conferences or seminars. Whether you're in the north or the south of the country you're sure to find a castle, a cloister, a hall with an open fireplace or a good restaurant, whatever you want to do.

Adopt a strategic position for the battle to come!

Contact the Pousadas de Portugal Business Department and find out, in detail, about the following Pousadas:

Alcácer do Sal - D. Afonso II
Alvito - Castelo de Alvito
Amares - Santa Maria do Bouro
Arraiolos - Nossa Senhora da Assunção
Beja - São Francisco
Belmonte - Convento de Belmonte
Condeixa-a-Nova - Santa Cristina
Crato - Flor da Rosa
Estremoz -Rainha Santa Isabel
Évora - Lóios
Guimarães - Santa Marinha
Mesão Frio - Solar da Rede
Ourém - Conde de Ourém
Palmela - Castelo de Palmela
Queluz/Lisboa - D. Maria I
Sagres - Infante
Setúbal - São Filipe
Sousel - São Miguel
Viana do Castelo - Monte de Santa Luzia
Vila Nova de Cerveira - D. Diniz
Vila Viçosa - D. João IV