Évora, a “city-museum” in the Alentejo region
One of the medieval cities of Portugal the most admirably preserved, Evora is a charming place to go back in time. Within the walls of the 14th century, Évora’s narrow and winding alleys lead to striking architectural works: an elaborate medieval cathedral and its cloister, the columns of the Templo Romano (near the Roman Baths) and a picturesque square, once the place of some rather macabre episodes, with the permission of the Inquisition. Apart from its historical strengths and beauty, Évora is also a lively university town and its restaurants serve a Copious Alentejo cuisine. Outside the city, Neolithic monuments and wine cellars make it a ideal day trip off Lisbon For example.
Fotopedia – Mirari Erdoiza
Évora rises on a small hill above the Alentejo plain. Around the historic centre, a road allows you to enter different places of the city. Evora’s central point is Praça do Giraldo 700 m from the bus station to the southwest.
What to see, what to do in Évora?
Once you have taken your marks on the Praça do Giraldo, the most impressive thing to see is the Cathedral of Evora ( Sé de Évora ), the largest in Portugal. Inside, you will not miss his cloister.
Wikimedia - Concierge.2C
Then admire him Roman temple of Evora on the Place Conde de Vila Flor.
Flickr – Carole Raddato
Unusual pain, Capela dos Ossos (bone trap) consisting of about 5000 skeletons is one of Évora’s must-see visits.
Flickr – Avi Dolgin
You will also notice the aqueduc from the city where houses were built under the arches, it is quite interesting.
Wikimedia - José Miguel Soares
12 km west of Evora, the megalithic site of cromlech of the Almendres is the most important monument of the entire Iberian Peninsula.
Flickr – Don Meliton
In the vicinity, the landscape consists of vineyards. You will also have the opportunity to taste the wine produced locally in the bars and restaurants of the city.
Less than an additional hour’s drive, towards the Spanish border, we find the small fortified city of Monsaraz Very beautiful.
How to get to Évora from Lisbon?
Several choices are available to you to go to Évora: first by car if you have your own vehicle or rent a car in Lisbon . The route will take you between 1h20 and 1h30, depending on whether you pass by Almada or if you take the Vasco de Gama bridge (I advise you to take the latter, which is 17 kilometers long). Here, a map with different routes from Lisbon:
♪ bus (see schedules and rates on www.rede-expressos.pt ) : it will cost you about 20€ the return trip.
♪ train from Entrecampos Station (see schedules and rates on www.cp.pt ) : it will cost you about 25€ the return trip. Reductions are possible.
Where to sleep in Evora?
Although one day is enough for visit Évora , you can enjoy a little more of the city and region by spending a night on site. The advantage here is that we find a lot of hotels in the historic centre including a few hostels for cheap nights. Do not hesitate to consult them hotels in Evora on our Wanderlix hotel comparison . Use the map to target only the old center hotels.
Did you know the medieval city of Evora in Portugal?
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