11 Fun Things to Do in Evora, Portugal
When planning my road-trip through Portugal, I knew I had to include Évora in my itinerary. And I’m so glad I did. I stayed for two nights in the city and spent a full day exploring the small alleyways and sightseeing. But honestly, there are plenty of fun things to do in Evora and I could have stayed a few extra days to enjoy the delicious food and mingling with the locals.
Évora, located in south-central Portugal, is the no-so-hidden-gem of the Alentejo region. Visitors from all over the world can’t get enough of the picturesque town's vast plains, charming streets, and rich history. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Évora, is a must when you visit Portugal. It is the perfect break from the buzzing Portuguese capital, and the slow pace is utterly refreshing. Not to mention, the cost of accommodation, food, and attractions are relatively affordable compared to other cities in the country. And it’s only an hour and a half drive from Lisbon!
Traveling to Portugal? Check out my other posts:
Amazing 10-Day Portugal Road Trip
2-Day Lisbon Itinerary
Complete Guide to Sintra
9 Fun Things To Do in Lagos
Foodies’ Guide to Portugal
How to get to Evora
One of the great things about Portugal is that transportation is super convenient and easy to navigate. Depending on where you are, you can get to Evora by Train, Bus, or Car.
By Car: The most convenient way to get to Evora is by car. You can take your time to leisurely explore the region and other attractions in the area. The best part is that you don’t have to worry about parking, they have a parking lot in the center for visitors.
Renting Car in Portugal Tip: When renting a car make sure to also rent the Via Verde Transponder as many tolls in Portugal are electronic only.
But if you don’t want to drive, there are other ways to get to Evora.
By Bus: The second most convenient way to get to Evora is by bus. If you are visiting from Lisboa, the bus ride takes about an hour and 45 mins. The buses depart from Lisboa Sete Rios station. You can purchase the ticket online here - if you are planning the trip in advance, keep in mind that tickets can only be purchased up to 30 days in advance.
By train: Another way to get to Evora is by train. You can book your ticket here. The website will let you book the ticket up to 60 days in advance.
By tour: If you are in Lisbon, but don’t want to deal with the logistic of transportation and would like to do a guided tour, book a tour! Most of them will pick you and drop you off at the hotel. Check out this tour , it also includes a wine tour.
Evora Guided Tours
When to visit Évora Portugal
Although Évora can be visited yearlong, the best time to visit is early spring as the temperatures are mild, and the plains are full of beautiful flowers. Fall and winter are also great to visit, but with a slight chance of rain.
In the summer, temperatures are high, and visitors are recommended to go sightseeing early in the morning or late in the afternoon. If you decide to visit in the summer, consider taking it slow Don’t forget to bring a hat, put on sunscreen, and stay hydrated!
Best things to do in Évora
1. Enrich Yourself With Cultural Attractions
If you love learning about cultures and gracing museums, Évora has plenty of cultural attractions to keep you busy. Some of the most popular ones in town include the Historical Center, the Museum of Évora, and the Garcia de Resende Theater, among others.
The Museum of Évora is one of the places you should visit when in town, as you will find a collection of arts, archeology, and temporary exhibitions. The Eugenio de Almeida Foundation is another exhibition center you should visit if you would like to learn more about arts and culture.
The Garcia de Resende Theater is one of the numerous centers in Évora where cultural events are held regularly. Artists get an opportunity to display their skills in painting and filmmaking. Oh, and you will be treated to great musical shows organized by Eborae Musica.
For a full list of museums in Evora, check out their official site.
2. Feast on Évora's Food and Wine
Tasting all the fantastic food from Alentejo should be a top priority when you visit. The region is known as a foodie destination, as many of the traditional dishes originated in the area. And let’s not forget all the delicious cheese and wine they produce.
In Évora, you will find many excellent restaurants where you can try all the cheese, wines, and traditional dishes, your palate/heart desires. And no matter where you eat, you are guaranteed fresh food with locally sourced ingredients. Some of the traditional dishes are only prepared during certain times of the year. If you miss out on some, you may have to return on another time to try them!
For the oenophile – a wine lover or connoisseur – check out the Alentejo Wine Route. You will get to taste and explore the wineries from the different parts of the province.
BOOK YOUR WINE TOURS
Where to eat in Evora:
Lunch: Grab lunch at one of the many mom and pop restaurants in town. Check out Botequim da Mouraria.
Dinner: treat yourself to a nice dinner at 5 Amendoas Restaurant located in Vitoria Stone Hotel. Its menu offers a mix of traditional Portuguese cuisine, modern fare, and Mediterranean influences.
Michelin Star: If you are looking for a culinary experience, check out L’AND Restaurant. It’s located inside the stunning L’AND hotel 15 minutes away from the city center. The restaurant’s menu is a unique mix of Portuguese gastronomy with Mediterranean cuisine, all prepared with locally sourced ingredients.
3. Check out Alentejo famous handcraft
Besides the cuisine, Alentejo is also known for its beautiful handicraft, and in Évora, you will find many shops selling local artisanal products. I’m not a fan of buying souvenirs, but I do like to buy locally produced items and support local artisans and shops. And Alentejo handicraft is the perfect souvenir to take home when you visit Evora.
Some of the products that Alentejo produces are pottery, leather goods, carpet, blankets, tapestry, and cork goods. Check out the map to see all the shops in Evora, where you can find local handicrafts to take home!
4. Get Spooky the Chapel of Bones - Capela dos Ossos
The Chapel of Bones, located next to Igreja de Sao Francisco, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Évora. It was constructed more than five centuries ago, using more than 5,000 skeletons that were sourced from the city’s graves. The construction was spearheaded by a group of Franciscan monks whose aim was to encourage visitors to contemplate the fleeting nature of human life. The bones of dead humans morbidly remind visitors that they will die despite any technological advancement in the health industry or their social, political status.
5. Pop into The Se Évora’s Cathedral
The Se Cathedral is a typical example of gothic architecture, and it resembles the one in Lisbon. You may find people gathering for mass when you visit the historic building. The cathedral has a spiral staircase, which you can use to get to the roof for a panoramic view of Évora. In the cathedral, you will also find a carved image of a local hero called Gerald the Fearless. He played a vital role during a war that took place centuries ago that helped create Portugal as a country.
6. Admire the Roman Temple of Évora or Temple of Diana
The Roman Temple is probably Évora's most famous attraction as it’s the best-preserved Roman temple in the Iberian Peninsula. The impressive monument, believed to be built in the 1st century AD, is located in the historical center.
7. Check out the Igreja da Nossa Senhora da Graca
While it’s not one of the main attractions in Évora, the church has a very unique façade. If you are walking around the area, go admire it. It’s definitely not your typical Sunday church.
8. Admire the Aqueduto de Agua de Prata
The Aqueduto de Agua de Prata (or Silver Water Aqueduct) is located right outside the city’s wall and was built over an existing Roman aqueduct. The portion that’s located inside the city’s wall, houses, and shops have been constructed that fits perfectly underneath the arches.
9. Take a break at Praca do Giraldo
Enjoy the picturesque plaza adorned with a fountain, medieval arches, and a church. It’s the perfect place to take a break and enjoy some people-watching.
10. Roam the narrow alleys
Ah, my favorite thing to do! There’s no shortage of small alleyways in this picturesque place. Wander around and discover cute coffee shops, boutique stores, and mingle with locals! For such a small town, Evora has plenty of hidden gems.
11. Check out all the cute boutique stores
Oxala Evora | Site
Largo Dom Álvaro Velho 7 A, 7000-646 Évora
Hours: Mon -Sun: 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Gente da Minha Terra | Site
Rua 5 de Outubro 39, Évora
Hours: Mon -Sun: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Livraria Fonte de Letras | Site
Rua de Vasco da Gama 8, Évora
Hours: Mon -Fri: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Sat: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Sunday: Closed
Take a coffee break at one of the cute cafes
Fabrica dos Pasteis | Site
Alcarcova de Cima 10, Evora
Hours: Tue - Sun: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Mon: Closed
The Bakery Lounge | Site
Rua de Burgos 6, Evora
Hours: Mon - Sat: 9:00 AM - 7:00 AM
Cha & Chocolate | Site
Praca 10 de Maio Mercado Municipal, Loja 34, Evora
Hours: Sun: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Tue - Sat: 9:30 AM - 7:00 PM, Mon: Closed
Cafetaria Pateo de Sao Miguel | Site
Pateo de Sao Miguel, Evora
Hours: Mon - Sat: 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM, Sun: Closed
NATA Lisboa - Evora Plaza | Site
Rua Luis Adelino Fonseca Lt 4 , Loja 1.08 CC Évora Plaza, Evora
Hours: Mon - Sun 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM