- Most popular
- Wine tasting included
- 4 hours
Explore a wonderful medieval village. Visit a family owned pottery. End your day with an unforgettable wine tasting.
About the city
My beloved city has about 1,800 years of documented history and more than just a few thousand undocumented. Évora was already a community of the Neolithic Men about 2,000 years ago, but as a city it was founded by the Romans in the II Century, conquered by the Barbarians and then by the Moors in the VIII Century. It reached its golden age in the XVI Century when the king lived here. It is one of the most historical, mythical and legendary places to visit in Portugal. Let’s visit Évora together!
Giraldo Square
It is our city’s heart. Giraldo, “the fearless”, conquer the city from the moors in 1165. The square was named after him. Here you can find the oldest coffee shop in the city, taste the traditional fresh cheese tart. This place holds many stories. In Évora all the streets lead to “Praça do Giraldo”.
Cathedral
Paid entryAt its entrance don’t miss the carved biblical mysteries. Besides the museum of religious art inside, the number of symbologies allows us to travel back in time. Make sure you climb up to the roof, for a 360º view over the city. Try to find the very first coat of arms of the city.
Roman Temple
In the XVI century, it was believed that this temple was to worship Diana, the roman hunting goddess, so it was named after her. But, it was to worship the emperor. It is the symbol of the city. You just can’t miss it. Just in front, you can find the Diana garden, a viewpoint for the city and the region.
University
Closed on sundays and national holidays. Paid entryOur University is the second oldest in Portugal. Handed to the Jesuits to manage in 1559, it was closed after 200 years, as they were expelled from our country. Admire the classroom tiles, at the cloisters. Still used nowadays, with drawings related to the subjects that used to be taught inside.
Saint Francis
The city we love have dozens of churches and chapels, of all, this is the one you really can not miss. Restored in 2015, it was built in beginning of the 1500’s. Hidden inside there’s stories and symbols related not only to the religious life and the monarchy, but also the free masons in Portugal
Bones Chapel
When in Évora, not visiting this place we consider an outrage. To alert us for the life values, the Franciscans decided to decorate this chapel with more then 5000 human bones. Carved in the entrance you can read in Portuguese “We bones are here and for yours we wait”.
Walls
3 wall time periods. In the city center, at Alcárcova de Cima Street, have a look at a small part of the wall that surrounded the roman Évora, first time period. Walking outside around the walls you will have conditions to appreciate the walls from the 2nd and 3rd periods and the unique characteristics.
Aqueduct
The silver water aqueduct was erected in 1537 and brings waters from about 18 km. Actually, this aqueduct follows the same path as a roman one that existe3d there’s many centuries before. Once it goes inside walls we have the aqueduct blended with the existing houses.
Portas de Moura
To go from the old University to the other campus around the city, students often cross this square. It marks the south entrance of the Roman city. Here you can find an amazing marble fountain, built in 1556. Notice how the sides are marked from being used for many centuries. Can you wonder what for?
What you need to know
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Évora has more than 300 classified monuments. Roman, Visigoths and Moorish were established here. In 1165, the city became Christian (it was also during the Visigoth occupation). Évora reached its apogee at the end of the XV Century and during the XVI Century. The Portuguese royal family made Évora its residence for long stays. Évora is one of the most historical and monumental places to visit in Portugal.
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We believe that, for those who visit us, the gastronomic experience is very important. Évora offers you many restaurants. Most are traditional gastronomy and some are specialized in black pork, wines, codfish, seafood, buffet style or just petiscos (a Portuguese word for tapas). Ask our drivers to get some suggestions according to your interests. However, we always have our preferences, always local style. For the Portuguese, a meal is a ritual.
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Since the reactivation of the University in 1973, the nightlife in Évora has been more active. Although there’s a lot of places for students, there are also bars for the locals. Our beloved city has a lot of options. Not only bars or discos but also meeting places for the population. Spread around in the city, you can also find concerts and shows.
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Whether in our houses or abroad it is very important to have well rested nights. Well slept, rested, relaxed and involved in the spirit and history, is the perfect condition to departure to the discovery of Évora. You have available different hotel styles, for every taste, needs, demands, and pockets. From the old restored convent to the brand new hotel, the option can be only yours.
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Évora is also known as the city museum. The historic city center is classified as World Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, so everything inside its walls is considered a “museum.” But from all the museums in the city, we can suggest the Évora Museum, the Cadaval House Museum, the museum inside the Cathedral, the Handcrafts and Design Museum, Contemporary Art Museum of the Eugénio de Almeida Foundation and the Megalithic Interpretation Center.
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For centuries, the historical center of Évora has been an excellent shopping area. You can buy almost everything. Some shops are more for visitors with objects made of cork, tiles, ceramic and clay pottery, wines, liquors, canned food, and olive oil. At these shops even us, as residents, shop. We buy stuff that reminds us of our childhood to give as a gift to family and friends on a special occasion. Don’t miss the city market.
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There are three options: Bus (Rede expressos), train and Transfer (no matter the origin or destination we can get you there. Portugal or Spain).