Visiting Évora and its surrounding areas in central Portugal feels like an extended, immersive school trip packed with culture and history. To truly appreciate this special place, take your time exploring.
At first, the idea of visiting a place where the main attraction is a chapel of bones made me uneasy. You often find old graveyards with large gravestones, but rarely human remains on display. This place was unique.
Even if history isn’t your thing, Évora is bound to impress. The city’s Historic Centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of 17 such sites in Portugal. As you enter the city from the north, you can’t miss the enormous arched aqueduct built in the 1500s by King João III, although the Romans first constructed an aqueduct here. You’ll find great trekking and biking paths alongside this structure just outside the city.
One of the top attractions in Évora is the Templo de Diana (Roman Temple), just a few blocks from the town center. What’s striking is that about half of the main columns are still intact, offering a “WOW” moment. A picnic in the park across from the Temple had me imagining a career in archaeology. Nearby, you can also explore the Roman Baths located in the Town Hall, though they are only open Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 17:30.
Évora itself is like a giant museum with numerous museums to delve into if you want to warm up, cool down, or escape the rain. The City Museum of Évora, located next to the Roman Temple, is a great first stop. It offers an overview of Évora and the Alentejo Province’s rich history with fascinating archaeological artifacts. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00, and admission is 3€ for adults with discounts for seniors and students. There are about ten museums in Évora featuring items from various historical periods, making it a must-visit for history enthusiasts.
We arrived in Évora by taking an afternoon train from Lisbon, sharing wine and travel tips with fellow passengers. One hot topic was the Capela dos Ossos, or Chapel of Bones, located in the Igreja de São Francisco. Surprisingly, the chapel wasn’t as eerie as expected but was quite fascinating with creative patterns made from bones and even frescoes on the ceiling. The chapel is open daily, though it closes earlier in the winter months. Admission is 2€ for adults with discounts for seniors and students.
Just wandering through Évora is a treat. Having visited many medieval towns in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, Évora stands out with its charming cobblestone streets and passages. The Jewish Quarter near Parça do Giraldo sparks curiosity about the Jewish community that once lived there. The Cathedral of Évora and its mixed architectural styles are particularly inspiring. Don’t miss the University of Évora, Portugal’s second oldest university, with its stunning courtyards and beautiful tileworks known as Azulejos.
Walking around the town’s ramparts or walls is pleasant, and Rua do Cano, tracing the aqueduct, offers picturesque views. Évora is relatively flat, with some slight inclines around the main Cathedral and University. The town is small enough to navigate without getting lost, but a colorful tourist map from Posto de Turismo at Parça do Giraldo can be handy.
Despite visiting during the high season, Évora did not feel crowded, thanks to its many streets and areas to explore. If you have the time, venture into the Alentejo Province. The Almendres Cromlech megalithics, with 95 ancient standing stones forming two circles, are always open and free to visit. A guided tour might enhance the experience of this mysterious site.
Make sure to stop by the small gift shop in Guadalupe on the way to Almendres Cromlech for unique gifts and a picnic spot. Nearby, the Great Dolmen of Zambujeiro is another ancient site worth visiting, though the road can be bumpy.
Near Évora, you’ll find numerous vineyards, olive orchards, cork forests, and cork manufacturers, all accessible for half-day trips. We visited Cortiçarte, a cork manufacturer near the village of Azaruja. While we didn’t get a tour, the gift shop had intriguing cork products. It’s best to call ahead as their hours can vary.
For a memorable wine tasting, visit Quinta de São José de Peramanca, located about 4 miles from Évora. The wines were excellent, with generous pours and knowledgeable staff. There are other nearby vineyards, mostly north of town.
For those who prefer to stay in town, Évora itself has many wine tasting spots. Louro Wines offers a wide selection of Portuguese wines and olive oils.
A worthwhile day trip from Évora is the picturesque hill village of Monsaraz with its castle, about 50 km east of the city. The Ervideria Wine Shop next to the village church offers wine tasting. If you can’t get enough of megaliths, check out the stone circle at Cromeleque do Xarez near Monsaraz.
Évora boasts excellent cuisine, with many restaurants to choose from. Parça do Giraldo is a great spot to enjoy coffee and pastries. Gema D’Évora offers a variety of pastries and is open every day from 7:30 to 23:00. For sweets, my favorite is Pastelaria Violeta, known for its Pasteis de Nata. It’s a small shop, but worth the wait.
When dining out in Évora, options abound. Adega da Talha Velha is famous for its fish dishes, while Dequst’Ar offers a more upscale dining experience with a great selection of Portuguese wines. Vegetarian food is also popular, with places like Salsa Verde serving delicious meals.
For groceries, there are many small markets and a main covered Mercado Municipal at Praça 1º de Maio. For larger grocery needs, Pingo Doce just outside town has a wide selection, including fresh produce, cheeses, olive oils, and wines.
Accommodation options in Évora range from budget-friendly to luxurious. We stayed at Casa do Aqueduto da Prata, a unique self-catering apartment built into the aqueduct. It was a memorable experience, though the water was temporarily shut off one day.
Although Évora doesn’t have its own airport, getting there from Lisbon is easy by train, bus, or car rental. Trains and buses run frequently and are affordable. For car rentals, we used Budget, which offered excellent service even including a chauffeur back to our rental.
Évora offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and modern amenities, making it a must-visit destination in Portugal.
suansuan