The old town of Beja, the Roman Pax Julia (of which some remains survive: foundations of walls on the north side of the town and a gate on the south side), is commandingly perched on a hill in the fertile plain of Baixo Alentejo. It is the largest town in Alentejo after Évora and is chief town of the
district and an important commercial center, especially for agricultural produce. In recent years a number of modern and purpose-built hotels have been built around the Old Town. More stylish accommodation is available at the pousada opened in 1994 in the Convento de Sao Francisco; this is one of the most beautiful state-run hotels in Portugal.
Townscape
Although the little town of Beja has no very remarkable sights to boast of its many fine old buildings and winding alleys lined with gleaming white houses, some of them with charming iron grilles, windows, doorways and covered arcades, make its old town well worth a visit on any tour of Portugal. The best place to rest after a sightseeing walk is the pretty little park or on the lawned area with a simple cafe on the Praça Diogo Fernandes. There are parking loting facilities in the center on the Largo dos Duques de Beja under tall trees near the convent.
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