The medieval university town of Evora rises proudly from an endless plain punctuated by tough cork and olive trees. Coveted by a succession of empires, its labyrinthine streets shelter everything from Roman temple to a Renaissance palace. But above all, Evora stands as Portugal’s foremost medieval showpiece, with beautifully preserved, colourful tile facades on ancient whitewashed walls. All tucked away in a tangle of winding streets and topped off by balconies hung with potted plants and caged canaries. You won’t need long to understand why Evora is dubbed “the museum city”. From Praça do Giraldo walk down through the charming tiled houses, to the colossal 12th century Sé, the cathedral. Inside the entrance to the right are beautiful cloisters. From here you can climb the ramparts for an excellent view of the city. Next door is the Museu d’Evora, housed in an old bishop’s palace. Across the museum is Evora’s most famous monument, the 2nd century Roman Temple of Diana. Facing the temple is the church of São João Evangelista, the town’s best concealed treasure. One of Portugal’s most beautifully preserved medieval towns, Evora is an enchanting place to delve into the past. If you have time to visit only a few places in Portugal, make Evora one of them.