Hilton Garden Inn Évora ★★★★

Often overlooked in favour of Lisbon and Porto for weekend breaks, Évora is every bit as enthralling, and some might argue that it is the prettiest of the three. Easy to reach via car or train from Lisbon, the journey will take you through the region's beautiful natural landscape - with its stretches of golden fields lined with Cypress, Pine, Eucalyptus and Cork Oak trees.

As you arrive, the famous Cathedral of Évora, with its notable gothic shape, rises up from the city centre to greet you. With over 2000 years of history, Évora's charms lie in the mismatch of aesthetics and architectural styles. Visit the impressive 16th-century aqueduct, the ancient Roman Temple of Évora, and the slightly eery skeleton-adorned Chapel of Bones.

When you check into the Hilton Garden Inn Évora, you'll be delighted to find it offers a modern, simple, yet elegant place to rest your head. It is so clean and well-appointed that you'd be forgiven for thinking it was a brand-new hotel plus, with a gym, an outdoor pool and a pretty terrace - it's got everything you need.

Feast on excellent continental breakfasts each morning and try out the hotel's bars – the Lobby Lounge Bar and its Pool Bar for cocktails and delicious local bites. The Garden restaurant offers tasty meals throughout the day, serving carefully prepared local and International cuisine. With a handy Pantry Shop, open 24 hours, you can access healthy snacks and travel essentials.

All streets in Évora will lead you to Praça do Giraldo, the main square at the heart of it all. Here you’ll discover the fountain with its eight spouts, each demarking a road off the square. Grab a drink from a local café, sit out in the warm sun and soak in the charms of this magical city.