Explore Évora With
The Blend of Roman Ruins, Moorish Architecture, and Authentic Cuisine.
Evora
Evora is the spiritual center of Portugal, a historical place with the vibe of antiquity and legends.
Évora is one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal, founded in 1166. Walking through its ancient center, formed under the influence of the Moors and Romans, fills up with the feeling of eternity. The main attractions of Evora are tightly connected with Portuguese kings. Nowadays, Évora is an open-air museum where you can spend an interesting day, enjoying incredible views.
Historical sites in Evora Portugal have been considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986, as most of the attractions, among which are 20 famous churches and monasteries, are concentrated here. Our company is adding all famous attractions to our Evora tours we designing for Portugal visitors.
The old town of Evora looks like a labyrinth of narrow streets and traditionally painted houses with historical and cultural monuments, perfectly fit into the landscape. The city has a rich history and tours from Lisbon to Evora are the must-have to get a deep understanding of Portugal.
The central Giraldo Square looks like a typical Portuguese plaza. Today there is a fountain on the square, from which go eight main streets. The fountain is the place where water from the Silver Water Aqueduct was first received. The square has many cafes that offer beautiful views of the local landscape. This is Evora's busiest place, with a relaxed atmosphere, but the real history is far from the idyllic picture. In the Middle Ages, this square was a central point for the cruel trials of the Inquisition.
One more must-see attraction is the 13th-century Cathedral, whose architecture combines Romanesque and Gothic styles. The highlight of the Cathedral is its treasury, which is a museum of sacred art with rare and priceless artifacts.
As for Evora's most famous landmark, it is the Temple of Diana, built in the 2nd or 3rd century AD. It is represented by fourteen columns topped with Corinthian capitals, perfectly preserved to our days. The history of the temple is not so romantic as in the Middle Ages it was used as a gallows and later as a slaughterhouse. In the 19th century, the architectural monument was taken under protection.
An amazing spot to visit is the 14th-century Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval with the remains of an ancient castle. The exhibition includes valuable manuscripts, ancient weapons, as well as paintings and sculptures.
The Church of St. John the Evangelist is a 15th-century building, a great example of architecture in the Gothic style. The church was built on the site of a Moorish castle and is part of the Cadaval Palace. Here you can fully enjoy the Azulejo art used in the rich decoration.
The Romantic church of St. Francis in the Gothic style definitely deserves attention. Previously, there was a Romanesque church, dating back to the 13th century. The unique feature of the church is an arcade.
The top attraction for visitors here is the Bone Chapel Evora(Capela dos Ossos). It's rather small, but its gloomy interior, made of human bones, is unforgettable. The Chapel of Bones Evora was created in the 16th century with the remains of previously deceased people from the nearby cemetery.
The building of the university, founded in the mid-16th century, is also a must-visit place. This university was rather popular among students and masters from all over Europe, but in the 18th century, it was closed and opened again only 200 years later.
Enjoy your slow walking along the streets of Evora, where among other attractions should also be mentioned the monastery of St. Clare (15th century) with a temporary collection of the city museum. As the museum itself is under restoration, its most valuable exhibits are presented in the decorations of the monastery. Just within walking distance from this place is the city garden with a small outdoor cafe with delicious local cuisine, and the remains of Don Manuel's palace.
Évora is a very hospitable city with a rich history, where every walk is full of new impressions.
You May Also Be Interested In Visiting From Evora
Explore the list of the best things to visit in Evora with the most appropriate options for all categories of tourist
![From Lisbon: Pena Palace, Sintra Village, Roca Cape & Cascais Small Group Day Trip card image](https://fra1.digitaloceanspaces.com/portotoursmedia/media/cards/sintra-cascais-tour-card.jpg?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=DO00XNJ6TYVTDXKZ3TNH%2F20240908%2Ffra1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20240908T022931Z&X-Amz-Expires=3600&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Signature=fbfee123babccc48975d4ddc74ce391e244a1b62d0fe91564dfe050c927d3f06)
From Lisbon: Pena Palace, Sintra Village, Roca Cape & Cascais Small Group Day Trip
From
€ 74.99
/ per person
![Full-Day Trip in Evora from Lisbon card image](https://fra1.digitaloceanspaces.com/portotoursmedia/media/cards/full-day-evora-card-1.jpg?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=DO00XNJ6TYVTDXKZ3TNH%2F20240908%2Ffra1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20240908T022931Z&X-Amz-Expires=3600&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Signature=542480016e7ec3ad9b95c28fb9cca0f72ee259fe7b5dcc2aae46dc10b7e6c18f)
Full-Day Trip in Evora from Lisbon
From
/ per person
€ 529.00
€ 469.00
/ per group (8 people maximum)
All About Evora
![all about image](/static/images/about-img1.png)
When to Visit
Evora weather and climate are quite typical for the rest of Portugal without significant local peculiarities. The city is filled with historical monuments, so you can come here at any time of the year. The winter temperatures can drop to around 8°C, but it's good weather for discovering medieval buildings, including a Roman temple, Gothic cathedral, and a picturesque city center.
If we talk about the summer season, it is worth noting that the temperature here at this time is quite high, unlike coastal cities, so it can reach 30°C. This time there is a famous city festival, which is full of folk music. This festival takes place in June and symbolizes the onset of summer.
In common the weather in Évora, Portugal is typically mild, with hot summers and cool winters.
Spring and autumn are characterized by warm weather with temperatures from 10 to 21°C, perfect for the first acquaintance with the city without the crowds of tourists.
![all about image](/static/images/about-img2.png)
Getting Around
The most convenient way to get around the city is by taxi or personal transport. Buses as public transport are also popular in Évora. They ensure the movement of residents between peripheral areas and the city center. There are currently 9 lines operating in different directions. The schedule of all lines can be found and checked on the official website of the transport company that provides movement in Évora by public transport - Transportes Rodoviários de Évora (TREVO). Public transport is available even at night, so no need to worry about moving around.
As for the city center and main attractions, they are easily accessible on foot. The center is compact and walkable any time of the year, perfect for a one day visit.
![all about image](/static/images/about-img3.png)
Travel Information
You can get an unforgettable experience while traveling in Evora if you consider a few simple Evora travel tips:
1. How to make the first trip to Evora unforgettable?
You can make your trip to Evora a remarkable experience with a one-day visit, seeing Evora Portugal UNESCO heritage in all its beauty. Évora is considered the spiritual center of Portugal, so the focus is on its many attractions gathered in the city center. As part of the excursion program, an experienced guide will show you the Se Cathedral, the palaces of Vasco da Gama and Monarch Manuel, the Temple of Diana, churches, and chapels.
All these historical monuments are in excellent condition. The appearance of Evora is charming, it has been shaped by many cultures but remains unchanged till our times. Even during the construction of new neighborhoods, the historical heritage of the Romans, Moors, and Lusitanians is not violated. And don't limit yourself to tasting local cuisine like hundreds of thousands of other tourists, as the variety of cheese, wine, and sweets is overwhelming.
2. What is a list of Evora hidden gems?
Most of Evora attractions are located within the city center. But historical gems are not everything that may be interesting for tourists here. Among unusual attractions in the Evora area, the most notable is Anta Grande do Zambujeiro, a complex of seven six-meter-tall stones stacked on top of each other. This is the largest dolmen in Europe.
One of the most important groups of megaliths in the Pyrenees, the Almendres Cromlech stone circle, is located 12 km from Évora. It consists of almost a hundred round granite blocks decorated with symbolic designs. The stones are arranged in a circle, or more precisely, in an oval form. They were probably used for cult purposes by representatives of an ancient culture that once developed on the Iberian Peninsula.
A little further to the east is the Escoural Cave, which contains rock carvings of animals created by the Cro-Magnons 15,000 years ago.
3. What dishes are the must-try in Evora?
Local wines and cheese are the core dishes in Évora. Variable Evora wine tasting tours are widely popular here.
The food features traditional Portuguese dishes such as Alentejo pork, a combination of pork and seafood. In addition, local cuisine is distinguished by desserts. The best restaurants in Evora offer torta de azeitão, which is a sponge cake with a very tasty cream, making an ideal pairing for wine.
Moreover, in all restaurants is presented Açorda, a traditional Portuguese dish made with bread with olive oil and add-ons, such as boiled eggs, seafood, or herbs. Quite similar to it is Migas. As for seafood dishes, Sopa de Cação with fish and local herbs with spices is a must-have.
Top Attractions Near Evora
Explore Evora's excellent selection of attractions, from ancient historic wonders to vibrant cultural sightseeing
You May Also Be Interested In Visiting From Evora
Explore the list of the best things to visit in Evora with the most appropriate options for all categories of tourist
![card image for Batalha](https://fra1.digitaloceanspaces.com/portotoursmedia/media/cards/Batalha-card-1.jpg?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=DO00XNJ6TYVTDXKZ3TNH%2F20240908%2Ffra1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20240908T022931Z&X-Amz-Expires=3600&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Signature=df21fd3ec5194bd7aab254835d58d06218fecf60afe1536bddb02373250aa14f)
The destination, famous for the Dominican Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Batalha is a work of art with countless towers, impressive openwork balustrades, and impressive stone gargoyle gutters.
![card image for Cascais](https://fra1.digitaloceanspaces.com/portotoursmedia/media/cards/Cascais-card-1.jpg?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=DO00XNJ6TYVTDXKZ3TNH%2F20240908%2Ffra1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20240908T022931Z&X-Amz-Expires=3600&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Signature=a66a91f6f5e6a0a918b9947ec2617c8f5bb7ec10c43c67871066587c7a46f69d)
The oceanfront resort town, both a seaport and a municipality nearby Lisbon, the destination attracts tourists around the year. Cascais with its history, nature, and pleasant warm atmosphere is a must-visit spot.
Diverse your experience of Portugal, endeavoring brand-new experiences
see moreFrequently Asked Questions
Get clear and useful insider tips for the most common queries about Evora
What are the available accommodation options in Évora for tourists?
There is a wide range of accommodation options for those tourists who come here for more than 1 day to suit different budgets and preferences. There are numerous charming boutique hotels and fancy guesthouses in historic buildings. As for the most popular and recommended locations, these are the Convento do Espinheiro and Hotel Riviera.
What are the popular outdoor activities or recreational opportunities for tourists in Évora and nearby?
The main attraction is the city's historic sites. At the same time, for tourists are also available outdoor activities such as hiking or cycling in the surrounding countryside, wine tasting tours, or horseback riding excursions.
What are the traditional souvenirs or shopping options for tourists in Évora?
There are numerous souvenir shops, where visitors can find a variety of Evora handicrafts and souvenirs, including traditional pottery, ceramics, and embroidered textiles. It's highly recommended to take time and visit some shops in the historic center to get unique gifts and souvenirs.