6 Best Hotels in Évora and the Alentejo, Portugal

Just outside town sits this sprawling establishment that is a great option for families—there are huge swimming pools (both indoor and outdoor) and lots of activities for the kids. Parents aren't left out, as you can join wine tastings, city tours, and excursions in the countryside. The modern guest rooms are generously proportioned and have balconies. Public areas are light and spacious, as is the dining room, which presents a delicious buffet of regional specialties on Sunday.

The only five-star hotel within Évora's old city walls, this property's luxury is unmatched, with sleek, modern decor that echoes the city's medieval character. Just inside the lobby, you can look down through a glass floor to see the ruins of an ancient cistern preserved under the building, on the site of a 16th-century palace. Rooms are spacious, with views over a wonderful central courtyard and swimming pool surrounded by an orange grove. The building seamlessly connects to the city's old walls and aqueduct, of which most rooms offer spectacular views. There are three upscale restaurants and two bars with terraces. Aqueduto offers an array of activities, from Alentejan cooking classes to horseback or bicycle tours of the countryside, and wine-tasting trips to a nearby convent.

Often overlooked in favor of its glitzier sister hotel, the Hotel M'AR de AR Muralhas is a gorgeous oasis with balconies and terraces facing a secluded swimming pool and a pretty garden. This is where the storied Hotel Cartuxa once stood, and renovations have kept that longtime favorite's charm while adding gleaming whitewashed walls and all the modern conveniences. The location is great, within the city walls but far enough to be surprisingly tranquil. Modern rooms retain rustic touches like authentic Alentejo textiles.

Also known as Pousada de Loios, the former monks' cells in this luxurious convent-turned-pousada have been polished with modern conveniences, retaining their old-world style but leaving no trace of monastic austerity. Opulent period furnishings dot bedrooms and elegant public spaces. Order a glass of tawny port and perch by the fireplace in the charming, fit-for-a-king lobby. Superbly prepared Alentejo specialties are served in the restaurant, a marvel of Manueline details.

The former home of a 17th-century nobleman, this charming hotel offers one of the best values in Évora, with most rooms featuring a view of the city’s skyline. Every room is unique, with traditional touches like the vaulted ceilings, wooden floors, and stunning tiled walls. The open-air terrace is the perfect place to enjoy your breakfast or a glass of wine. Book the garden suite and sleep surrounded by Évora's old Roman wall.