www.DavidPAdams.com/Evora.html

As I had long wanted to do, I visited Portugal at the end of September 2007.  I was mostly in Lisbon but wanted to briefly get outside of the capital and chose Evora based on internet research.  It's an ancient town with limited formal attractions but with the beauty of an old Portuguese town.  The internet led me to a delightful hotel with an elegant restaurant, and there is also an elegant pousada in a former convent.  I have fond memories of grand hotel meals, long strolls, lunch outdoors in strong sun in the main square, visiting the old cathedral and cloisters, an acqueduct that rises slowly in front of houses, and buying beautiful hand-painted olive dishes from Coimbra. 

the church at one end of the main square

The tables of sun-drenched cafes and restaurants in the square are perfect.

old houses on one side of the main square

Evora Cathedral (Se in Portuguese)

Don't miss the cloisters

Hotel da Cartuxa in the late afternoon

Evora has Roman origins, but the aqueduct is "new" -- only a few centuries old and comes into town on one side of a street.  Most of the houses in the Old City are this white and mustard yellow.