There are some Roman ruins you definitely need to check out, there is also the Capela dos Ossos (Bone Chapel), which is totally ornamented with real human bones, creepy, kitsch, but a must see. Contrarily to what sometimes is said, it is not unique.

The old aqueduct with houses built into the arches is interesting. It is completely dissimilar from the superbly structured one at Elvas, except that both seem far too much work for the trickle of water they carried.

You must visit the Almendres Cromlech megalithic complex, an important megalithic monument in the Iberian Peninsula. It is the largest existing group of structured menhirs in the Iberian Peninsula, and one of the largest in Europe. It´s situated about 10 km from Évora, going by Guadalupe. Continuing this trip, near Valverde, the Anta do Zambujeiro dolmen, also very unusual by its size.

In less than an hour you can get by car to Monsaraz (exit via IP2 to Beja, then turn to Reguengos), a nice, well preserved walled town on top of a hill overlooking the Alqueva Dam waters. There's plenty where to sleep (cheap Bed and Breakfast and Turismo de Habitação, and an Inn) and where to eat. Around it are a couple important menhirs, one of them with engravings (Balhoa) and the other about 5 m high, and a anta (passage dolmen). The Xares cromlech is a conjectural reconstruction, and was removed from its original place due to the Alqueva waters.

You can get to Évora in several ways:

• By bus [1] or [2], (from Lisbon the ticket is about 10 euros)

• By Intercity train from Lisbon (ticket currently 10 euros in touristic class) [3]

• By car (distance: 140 Km, from Lisbon take the A2 by either bridge, then A6, then N114 to Évora; tolls)

One of the nicer ways to see the city is by horse carriage ride. You can find them near the Cathedral.

Otherwise there's no real problem in walking between most of the main sights.

Évora, a university town, is expensive. There's nothing typically local for you to buy there, and most certainly there are no bargains.

There are several traditional dishes:

• Açorda
• Migas com carne de porco
• Carne de porco à alentejana

There are also several traditional desserts, all from conventual origin:

• Sericaia
• Bolo podre
• Pão de Rala

Drink and carry plenty of water especially in the hotter months (July and August, eventually September). Especially in August, you will be advised not to go out in the sun between 2 pm and 4 pm, unless you are used to it.

Remember that just going in for a drink is a perfectly acceptable way of getting in to see the public areas of a Pousada.

Alentejo wines are some of the best-loved in Portugal, and there's a variety of them. Some can be quite expensive.