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Évora - Capital of the Alentejo, Évora deserves detailed exploration, which is easily done on foot. In fact, basing yourself here for a few days serves as an ideal introduction to the region. But first, head out and discover why this historic destination has been granted UNESCO World Heritage status.

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Praça do Giraldo -

Get your bearings over coffee in Praça do Giraldo, the city's beautiful central square. The fountain in front of the church dates back to 1571.

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Évora Cathedral -

Évora's cathedral, or Sé, was consecrated in 1204. Its imposing exterior resembles  that of a castle. The portal is flanked by a pair of unmatched towers. Discover the gilded interior before climbing a spiral staircase to the roof for glorious views across the city and countryside.

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Roman Temple -

Erected in the 2nd or 3rd century, Évora's Roman temple is believed to have been dedicated to the goddess Diana. It's one of the best preserved Roman-era temples in Europe.

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Chapel of Bones -

The spooky Capela dos Ossos ("Chapel of Bones") is set within the 15th-century São Francisco church. This gruesome attraction features the remains of 5,000 monks. A mordant reminder at the entrance reads: Nós ossos que aqui estamos, pelos vossos esperamos ("We bones that are here await yours").

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Cromlech of Almendres -

There are at least 150 megalith sites nesting in the countryside around Évora. The Cromlech of Almendres (pictured) is the most dramatic, made up of 95 elliptical stones weathered with age. The site is free to enter and signposted from the N114 highway.

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Viana do Alentejo - This pleasant town located southwest of Évora regales visitors with an early 14th-century castle, known for its unusual cylindrical towers.

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Alentejo Wine Route -

The Alentejo is a celebrated wine region. Many of the wineries scattered throughout the undulating countryside are open to visitors. You can learn more (and taste some marvelous reds and whites into the bargain) by following the Alentejo Wine Route. Alternatively, get a head start by dropping into the tasting room at Rua 5 de Outubro, no. 88 in Évora.

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Évoramonte - The ancient fortified village of Évoramonte is distinguished by its sturdy castle. Look closely and you'll notice its walls are bound by stone "ropes," an odd design feature found nowhere else in the region.

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Beja -

Beja, set in the Baixo (lower) Alentejo is of great historic and social importance. It's worth basing yourself here to discover the region's southernmost reaches. Get an idea of the vastness of the countryside surrounding the town by heading to the top of the castle keep.

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Convento de Nossa Senhora da Conceição -

Beja's outstanding cultural draw is the former Convento de Nossa Senhora da Conceição, which houses the regional museum. Pictured is the convent's highly-decorative chapter house.

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Estremoz -

Synonymous with fine wine, Estremoz is perched on a hilltop, its skyline landmarked by the 13th-century Torre das Três Coroas, the "Tower of Three Crowns." The adjoining castle and palace complex is now an upmarket hotel property.

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Marvão - Remote Marvão peers over the border with Spain in Alto (upper) Alentejo. This serene medieval hamlet is dominated by its 13th-century castle, one of the most picturesque in Portugal.

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Mértola - Scenic Mértola has been designated a vila museu, such is the town's enviable collection of archaeological treasures that span several epochs, from the Phoenician period up the the emergence of the Visigoths. The town's imposing castle dates back to 1292.

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Vila Museu -

One of the must-see Mértola visitor attractions is the unusual Moorish-style church. A former mosque, the building is little altered and still retains noticeable Arab features, including a mihrab, or prayer niche.

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Elvas -

The long drive east to Elvas near the Spanish border is rewarded with a frontier town renowned for its collection of 17th-century fortifications, among the best preserved in Europe. UNESCO thinks so, and has classified the formidable defenses a World Heritage Site. Pictured looking like a starfish on steroids is Nossa Senhora da Graça Fort, sited just outside the city.

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Monsaraz - Appearing as if straight out of a medieval picture book, the walled town of Monsaraz is defined by its 13th-century castle and 16th-century church. In the distance you can see the waters of the Barragem de Alqueva.

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Barragem de Alqueva -

The Barragem de Alqueva is Europe's largest artificial lake (250 sq km or 97 sq mi). The lake and its dam takes their name from the nearby town of Alqueva. You can explore the lake by hiring houseboats out of Amieira Marina and sailing the quiet, still waters, and even mooring up overnight.

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Serpa -

Serpa impresses everyone with the monumental Porta de Beja, the entrance to the old town, and the arched aqueduct that tops the walls.

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Serpa cheese -

Serpa is also distinguished for its much sought-after semi-soft cheese. Known for its strong, intense spicy and aromatic flavor, the cheese is made using milk from the native Merino sheep.

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Arraiolos -

Arraiolos is overshadowed by its 14-century hilltop castle, the walls of which surround the 16th-century Igreja do Salvador. Below is the town itself, a tidy ensemble of whitewashed cottages topped with terracotta tiles.

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Arraiolos -

The main reason for coming to Arraiolos is for the woolen carpets hand stitched by locals for centuries and famous throughout Portugal for their colorful floral designs and level of craftsmanship. In fact, it's the womenfolk who do all the work. You can see them stitching away in dimly-lit rooms behind the main street. An Arraiolos rug, or tapete de Arrailolos, is one of the most authentic of the Alentejo's traditional souvenirs.

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Castelo de Vide -

Guarding the Alentejo's northern borders is the frontier town of Castelo de Vide. It's perched on the lofty Serra de São Mamede hill range and in years gone by was renowned for its spa waters, which first attracted the Romans. The destination features the maze-like Judiaria, or Jewish quarter. Here you can admire a 13th-century synagogue tucked away in a cobblestone alleyway.

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Vila Nova de Milfontes -

The Alentejo's wild windswept coast is far less developed than that of the Algarve's, and the better for it. Spend a few days ensconced in unassuming Vila Nova de Milfontes and take advantage of the town's golden beaches.

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Zambujeira do Mar -

Zambujeira do Mar wakes up in summer when thousands of youngsters descend upon the village and its environs for an annual music festival, one of the biggest in the region. At any other time, this quiet backwater and its generous wedge of honey-hued sand is yours.

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Vila Viçosa -

You can easily spend half a day wandering the splendid, gilt-lined state rooms at the lavish Paço Ducal at Vila Viçosa. Dating back to the early 1600s, the palace was once owned by the Dukes of Bragança. Take the guided tour and be in awe of the royal rooms, which include the opulent Sala dos Duques.

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Portalegre -

Busy Portalegre is still known for its textile, tapestry, and silk industries. Cork production is also a tradition here. In fact, products made from cork make wonderful keepsakes. Shop around for a souvenir. They even make umbrellas out of the material!

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Cork production -

Did you know that Portugal produces approximately half the cork harvested annually in the world? Some of the best quality cork is obtained in the Alentejo. Pictured are cork oak recently stripped of their precious bark.

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Alentejo cuisine -

Alentejo gastronomy is based on simple, hearty fare harvested from the countryside. Açorda Alentejo style (pictured) is a homemade soup of bread topped with poached egg and seasoned with garlic and coriander.

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Carne de Porco à Alentejana -

Pork with clams sounds like an odd marriage of ingredients, but this unique dish, known as Carne de Porco à Alentejana, is the region's unique take on a surf and turf plate.

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Alentejo wine -

Wines from the Alentejo rank among some of the best in Europe. Following one of the aforementioned wine routes allows you to find out why. But ask any good restaurateur and they'll be happy to recommend a red or a white depending on what you're eating.

Sources: (Vinhos do Alentejo) (Culture Cheese) (UWEC EDU) 

See also: Get to know Europe's sunniest destination

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