The city of Evora is one of Portugal's finest, especially if you are visiting the country with aspirations of seeing some intriguing historical sights. Evora Portugal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks largely in part to its old town center and its Roman, medieval era, and seventeenth century walls. You'll also find a Roman Temple here, not to mention an abundance of beautiful sixteenth and seventeenth century homes. Often referred to as an open-air museum, Evora is truly special. For those who want to delve into the past on their Portugal vacation, a stop in Evora is strongly recommended.

The Evora attractions are many, and while some visitors to the city only plan a day trip from Lisbon, one day is not a sufficient amount of time if you want to take it all in. The historical treasures in Evora Portugal span centuries, and you could spend the better part of a day alone admiring the city's main cathedral. Cathedrals are aplenty in Portugal, but few are more significant than the Cathedral of Evora when it comes to the Gothic style. Most of the cathedral was built between the years of 1186 and 1204, though it would be redesigned and restored over the years, changing its original appearance. Should you enter it, you can view the statues of the apostles that can be found in the main portal. They date back to the 1330s and are among the interior's highlights. Various architectural styles can be noted inside the Cathedral of Evora Portugal, which is good news for visiting architectural buffs. The main chapel is of particular interest, as it is a Baroque gem that is bound to impress. While exploring the cloisters, you'll notice that the style is decidedly Gothic, resembling the cloisters in the Lisbon Cathedral.

Exploring the main cathedral is one of the top things to do in Evora, and when you're finished with your general tour, you might visit the onsite museum, which is home to some very interesting relics, including a supposed fragment of Christ's Cross. While the main cathedral is easily one of the top Evora attractions, it just might be overshadowed by the Templo de Diana, which is one of the best preserved Roman monuments that you will find anywhere on the Iberian Peninsula. Fourteen of the original eighteen columns on this renowned relic are still standing, which gives testament to how well built the structure is. There is confusion as to when the Roman Templo de Diana was actually built. Some historians believe that it dates back to the first century AD, while others lean more towards the second or third centuries. Regardless of the confusion over its exact age, this city landmark is a must see, and no Evora travel itinerary would be complete without a visit.

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There are far too many Evora attractions to list, though you can take in quite a lot by treating yourself to a some walking tours during your visit. The city's lively main square, which is known as the Praca do Giraldo, is one of the best places to start an Evora Portugal walking tour. Attractive townhouses with intricate wrought-iron balconies adorn the square, as does the Estaus Palace and the Santo Antao Church. Dominating the square is the fonte Henriquina, which is Renaissance in design and dates back to 1571. Helping to make the Praca do Giraldo square one of the top Evora attractions is the fact that it connects to the Rua 5 de Outubro, which is a pedestrians only avenue that is lined with shops. The Rua 5 de Outubro will lead you to the Templo de Diana, as well as the Loios Convent, which is Gothic in design and dates back to the late 1400s.

One of the best things that you can add to your Evora travel itinerary is a visit to the City Museum, which offers terrific insight into the region's rich history. One of the other best things to do in Evora is visit the Church of Sao Francisco, which was completed around 1510 and is a Manueline-Gothic masterpiece. Menueline is a Gothic style of architectural ornamentation that was developed by the Portuguese, and one of its other best examples if the Tower of Belem. Portugal history is about as interesting as history gets, and there is surely no shortage of historical relics that you can visit while in the country. The historical Evora attractions are some of the best in the land, which is why this small university city is such a popular tourist destination.

Evora Portugal is less than a two-hour drive or bus ride from Lisbon, and while a day trip is fine by some, you really should consider staying over night at the very least. The city makes for an excellent base from which to explore the Alentejo region, of which Evora is the capital. If you're worried about where to stay, the hotels in Evora are numerous and there is something for virtually every budget. You can even go camping in the area if you want to save on lodging rates or just prefer staying close to nature. Thanks to the Evora attractions and those in the surrounding region, getting bored on your visit is virtually impossible. There's simply too much to see and do.