Arraiolos

Understand

Arraiolos (/ɐʁɐˈjɔluʃ/, uh-rruh-yaw-loosh) is known for its castle and its embroidered woollen carpets and rugs. The town has about 3,400 people (2011) and the entire municipality has over 7,300 residents.

Visitor information 1 Município de Arraiolos, Praça do Município 27, ☏ +351 266 490 240. (updated Jun 2021)

Getting there

The nearest motorway is the A6 (Autoestrada Marateca–Caia). Bus service is provided by Rede Expressos and Rodoviária do Alentejo.

See

1 Castelo de Arraiolos (Paço dos Alcaides, Arraiolos Castle). This Gothic national monument was built in the early 1300s. (updated Jun 2021)

Eat

1 República do Petisco, Praça da República 6, ☏ +351 266 429 044. Daily 11:30–23:00. Serving Alentejan petiscos (Portuguese small dishes). Mid-range. (updated Jun 2021) 2 Restaurante A Moagem, Rua da Fábrica 2, ☏ +351 266 499 646. M W–Sa 12:00–15:00 & 19:00–22:00, Su 12:00–15:00, closed Tu. Home-style Portuguese cooking. Mid-range. (updated Jun 2021)

Sleep

1 Pousada Convento Arraiolos, Nossa Sra. da Assunção, Arraiolos, ☏ +351 266 419 340, [email protected]. Check-in: 16:00, check-out: 11:00. The Pousada de Arraiolos, Nossa Sra. Assunção, is an example of perfect harmony between the traditional and modern concepts of Portuguese architecture, adapting the austerity of a 16th-century convent to today's standards of comfort and well-being. €79-144. 2 Casa do Plátano, Praça da República 18, ☏ +351 930 511 216, [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00–21:30, check-out: 08:00–12:00. Three-star, 9-room hotel with swimming pool. €54-72. (updated Jun 2021)