2 Best Hotels in Alcobaça, Estremadura and the Ribatejo

This imposing complex in the countryside between Alcobaça and Nazaré housed the country's first agricultural school—founded in the 14th century by Cistercian monks—and is now a comfortable rural retreat. Rooms and apartments are spacious and decorated in country style. There are several trails to walk in the leafy surroundings. 

This family-run guesthouse 5 km (3 miles) outside Alcobaça is named after a baker who tackled invading Spaniards with a wooden shovel—pushing them into her oven—at the time of the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. You're free to wander the well-tended gardens and mingle with the family. The large guest rooms in the main house, a few of which have balconies, are simply decorated in white with splashes of bright color. Homemade bread, fresh from the oven, is the highlight of breakfast.