Evora is only about an hour and a half from Lisbon. Originally known as Ebora, Évora served as the headquarters of the Roman commander Quintus Sertorius from 80 to 72 BCE, maintaining its significance as a Roman military center for an extended period. With its well-preserved old town center, partly enclosed by medieval walls, and numerous monuments spanning different historical epochs, such as a Roman Temple, Évora has earned UNESCO recognition since 1986.

A perfect destination for winter or spring, as it can get up to 40 degrees in summer, making it one of the hottest cities in Portugal.

How to get to Evora?

There are several ways to get to Evora. One option would be by car. I myself took the Flixbus from the Oriente bus station. But it is also possible to get to Evora with other bus companies.

You can easily visit the places on foot because everything is within walking distance.

1.Capela dos Ossos 

The Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones) is one of the most famous landmarks in Évora, Portugal. It is a small interior chapel situated next to the entrance of the Church of St. Francis. The chapel derives its name from its interior walls, which are adorned with human skulls and bones. Constructed by Franciscan friars, the Capela dos Ossos is essentially a bone church. An estimated 5,000 corpses were used in its construction.

You can pay in cash or by card on site. There are also toilets. The opening hours are from Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 6.30 pm, public holidays may be different.

Ticket prices (as of April 2024):

The following locations are included in the ticket price: Capelas dos ossos (chapel of bones),  Nucleo museolofico (Museum centre), Sala da tribuna real (Royal tribune room), Sala multimedia (multimedia room) & Coleccao de presepios (Nativity scenes collection)

• 6 € adult person
• 4 € seniors and young adults aged 12-25
• Free: children under 12 years
• 15 € families (2 parents and children)

2. Roman temple of Évora

The roman temple was built at the beginning of the 1st century AD, so the temple ismore than 2000 years old. Which is impressive. It is a part of the city’s historic center and freely accessible.

3. Jardim Publico de Evora 

If you need a short break and want to have a little picnic, the “Jardim Publico de Evora” park is perfect for you. There are a lot of seating options and also some beautiful places to see, such as the ruins “Ruina Fingidas”, the pavilion with the tree in front of it and there are also some animals such as peacocks that roam freely on site.

4. Giraldo square fountain 

The praca do Giraldo is the largest square of Evora and is the heart of the city. In the area you can find cute souvenirs shops, cafe and restaurants. 

 

5. Cathedral of Évora

The opening hours are from 9 am to 5 pm. 

Entrance to the church costs 4 euros and if you want to look at the museum it costs one euro more, so in total 5 euros. You can only pay in cash on site. I recommend visiting the cathedral shortly after 9 a.m., as many tourists arrive later by bus.

After paying, you go up a staircase on the right that becomes increasingly narrower. When you get to the top of the roof, you have a beautiful view of the city. 

If you still have some time and have a car available, be sure to check out the following places:

Best,

Saskia ❤