For years the Alentejo has been neglected and many of its rural communities have suffered as their inhabitants have moved to the cities in search of better jobs. Villages and farms have fallen into disrepair and for years time has stood still in the Alentejo.

However, things are changing. There's a renewed interest in the countryside as people are looking to escape the pressures of a busy city life, even if its only for weekends and holidays.

The vast undulating countryside of the Alentejo offers all the benefits of a country lifestyle with its traditional pursuits of horse riding, hunting, shooting and fishing, with the ease of access to the capital Lisbon, which as been created since the opening of new motorways throughout the Alentejo.

Investors are looking to buy property to renovate and sell as holiday homes, holiday lets and weekend retreats. The Alentejo monte is in particular demand. These old farmhouses where built on hills offering spectacular views of the surrounding farm and countryside.

The recent completion of the Alqueva dam has created the largest artificial lake in Europe. The project was designed to regenerate investment in the Alentejo in tourism, agriculture, and horticulture.

The plan appears to be working. Development plans for a mega tourist complex along 150 km of the shores of the Alqueva dam has recently been approved. This in itself will attract further investment, and the property market in the Alentejo is sure to benefit for some time to come.