
“National Geographic” Highlighted Elvas As The ‘Star Of Alentejo’ ♦ In the online edition of the latest publication of “National Geographic”, Elvas was elected the best ecologic trip of the month and as the “star of Alentejo”. Elvas is one of the most beautiful cities of Portugal and (along with Évora) is close to Spain. This city is known as being the most fortified city in Europe and is a World Heritage of Unesco. Secrets From Portugal brings you these amazing news and an itinerary of Elvas, keep reading to understand why this city is so amazing.
♦ Discover All About Elvas & Subscribe to Our Newsletter ♦

Classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 2012 for having the largest and most unique fortifications and buildings in the world, Elvas is also the “true star of the Alentejo”. This is how the city is described in the Portuguese online edition of National Geographic, which chooses it as an ecological trip for the month of September. The reasons are further explained in an extensive article: In addition to being a World Heritage Site, Elvas is the largest fortified city in Europe and was one of the most important cities for Portugal’s independence.

As places to see, the highlights are: the Republic Square, full of monuments, places of tourist and leisure interest, such as the terraces, the Culture House, the Tourist Office and the Clock Tower; and of course Nossa Senhora da Graça Fort, one of the highest in the region and recently recovered. Fort Santa Luzia is also recommended, a landmark of the city for its 17th century Portuguese military architectural importance and now a military museum.

The entire historical centre, 17th-century bastioned walls, Fort of Santa Luzia, Fort of Grace, Amoreira Aqueduct and the fortifications of St. Peter, St. Mamede and St. Dominic or Piety were classified as World Heritage.

The recovery of Forte da Graça was one of the biggest drivers of tourism, which is currently one of the most visited places. Although its Alentejo geography is no mistake, the municipality of Elvas has two excellent water levels in the Caia and Alqueva dams. This is why boating and fishing are exciting offers, in addition to hunting. The county is crossed by the A6 motorway, which connects Lisbon and Madrid, which is the main road access. However, connections to neighbouring municipalities (Campo Maior, Arronches, Monforte, Portalegre, Estremoz, Borba, Vila Viçosa and Alandroal) are assured by roads with good traffic conditions.