In Praça Dom Sancho II, named in honor of the king who reconstructed the town, stands the (cathedral). Under a cone-shape dome, it's a forbidding fortresslike building decorated with gargoyles, turrets, and a florid Manueline portal. The cathedral opens onto a black-and-white diamond square. It's open daily from 10am to noon and 2 to 6pm. A short walk up the hill to the right of the cathedral leads to Largo de Santa Clara, a small plaza that holds an odd Manueline pillory with four wrought-iron dragon heads.

On the south side of Largo de Santa Clara is the Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Consolação (Church of Our Lady of Consolation), a 16th-century octagonal Renaissance building with a cupola lined in 17th-century azulejos (tiles). It's open daily 9am to 12:30pm and 2 to 5pm.

The castelo (castle), Praça da República, built by the Moors and strengthened by Christian rulers in the 14th and 16th centuries, offers a panoramic view of the town, its fortifications, and the surrounding countryside. It's open daily from 9:30am to 1pm and 2:30 to 5pm (till 5:30pm Oct 10-Apr 1.)

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.