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We found Totally Spain through a Web search and couldn't have been happier with the arrangements they made. Having never been to northern Spain (Bilbao, Asturias, and Galicia), we asked Totally Spain to book hotels (all very well located), car re...

R. Schwartz & D. Tapper, New York, USA
2024-06-15

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Lovely Evora is located just 90 minutes east of Lisbon by car, in the center of the Alentejo Region, of which it is the capital. Situated roughly halfway between Lisbon and the Spanish border, Évora is ideal for a day trip from Lisbon and even better for a short stay. The New York Times describes Évora as “2,000 years of history in 20 paces.” The architecture inside this beautiful walled town includes Roman, Gothic, and Baroque styles.

The Alentejo—meaning "land beyond the Tagus"—is quite dry and can get very hot in the summer. It has a well-earned reputation for having an easy, unhurried pace of life and is known for its cork oak woodlands, sun-baked olive groves, fortified towns, and quaint villages, as well as its wonderful gastronomy and excellent wines.

The entire historic walled center of Évora is a UNESCO World Heritage site, stemming from its Golden Age in the 15th century when it was home to the Portuguese Kings. The town center is very pretty, with white-washed houses adorned with azulejos (tiles) and wrought-iron balconies dating from the 16th to 18th centuries.

Must-sees include the Roman Temple dedicated to Augustus, the Roman aqueduct, Giraldo Square, the cathedral, the Capela do Calvário at the Church of San Francisco for its carvings, and the Chapel of Bones. If you are staying longer, we suggest seeing the Palace of King D. Manuel, the chapel of St. Blaize, and the houses of Cordovil, the Casa de Garcia da Resende, and the university. Leave plenty of time for wandering around the charming cobbled streets. Be sure to try the delicious apple and cinnamon pastries called boleimas.

If megalithic structures are your thing, you’ll find the 95 menhirs, or standing stones, overlooking the city fascinating. During the Middle Ages, Évora was home to one of the largest Jewish populations in Portugal, making it a site of significant Jewish history.

We highly recommend including Évora in your Portugal visit, and we would be happy to incorporate a stay here as part of your custom private tour of Portugal, or as part of a longer Spain and Portugal itinerary.

 

 

TOTALLY SPAIN BLOG ARTICLES RELATED TO EVORA & THE ALENTEJO

Prettiest Villages and Towns in Portugal

Totally Spain’s Guide to the Best of the Alentejo Portugal

Totally Spain’s Guide to Significant Jewish Heritage Sights in Portugal