Évora: The Complete Guide

Évora, the capital of Alto Alentejo and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a fascinating mix of historical styles and architectural wonders that belies its small size and location. The town’s medieval walls have preserved it as a living museum, with sixteenth- and seventeenth-century homes with ornate tile patios lining its cobblestone streets. Moorish-inspired arches, arcades, and bubbling fountains dot the town’s squares, adding to its charm.

Évora has been the home of many conquerors throughout its history, leaving behind their own unique architectural marks. Even the Romans, during Julius Caesar’s time, knew the town as Liberalitas Julia. During the reign of João III in the sixteenth century, Évora became the Montmartre of Portugal, a hub for avant-garde artists like the famous playwright Gil Vicente.

Despite its attractions, Évora remains a sleepy provincial capital today, although it is acutely aware of its cultural heritage. Local historians recommend seeing at least 59 monuments, but visitors can capture the essence of the town by exploring only a fraction of them. While Évora is a popular day trip from Lisbon, it is a long journey that may not allow enough time to fully appreciate the town’s beauty.

Visiting Évora for the first time and wondering what are the top places to see in the city? In this complete guide, I share the best things to do in Évora on the first visit. Top help you plan your trip, I have also included an interactive map and practical tips for visiting!

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10 Best places to See in Évora

This complete guide to Évora not only tells you about the very best sights and tourist attractions for first-time visitors to the city but also provide insights into a few of our personal favorite things to do.

This is a practical guide to visiting the best places to see in Évora and is filled with tips and info that should answer all your questions!

Evora walls

Evora City Walls
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Patrick Nouhailler
The walls of Evora are a remarkable feature of the city, transporting visitors to ancient times. Designated as a National Monument in Portugal since 1922, they form part of the UNESCO World Heritage site that is the historic centre of Evora. Unlike many other Portuguese cities, Evora has managed to preserve its old walls almost […]
Location: Muralhas de Évora, Beco da Horta da Porta, Evora, Portugal | Distance: 0.30km
Visiting Evora walls

Praça do Giraldo

Praça Do Giraldo Evora
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Sergei Gussev
Throughout Portuguese history, the city’s main square has witnessed significant events such as the execution of Fernando, Duke of Bragança in 1483, the public burning of victims of the Inquisition in the 16th century, and heated debates on agrarian reform in the 1970s. Despite its tumultuous past, the square remains the heart of the city, […]
Location: Praça do Giraldo, Evora, Portugal | Distance: 0.40km
Visiting Praça do Giraldo

Igreja de São Francisco & Capela dos Ossos

Capela Dos Ossos Évora
CC BY-SA 2.0 / xiquinhosilva
The church’s façade is notable for its porch with arches that showcase a fusion of Gothic and Moorish styles, a common feature found in many monuments in the region. Above the Manueline doorway, one can see the emblems of the kings who commissioned its construction, D. João II and D. Manuel I, represented by the […]
Location: Igreja de São Francisco, Praça 1º de Maio, Évora, Portugal | Hours: 9am-6.30pm Jun-Sep, to 5pm Oct-May | Price: adult/student €5/3.50 | Distance: 0.50km
Visiting Igreja de São Francisco & Capela dos Ossos

Agua de Prata Aqueduct

Aqueduto Da Água De Prata
CC BY-SA 2.0 / F Delventhal
The Agua de Prata Aqueduct in Évora, also known as the Aqueduto da Água de Prata, is one of the city’s most impressive monuments due to its size and historical significance. The aqueduct is a testament to the ingenuity of ancient times in providing water to the people of Évora. It has been considered a […]
Location: Acueducto de Agua de Plata, Rua do Muro, Evora, Portugal | Distance: 0.50km
Visiting Agua de Prata Aqueduct

Évora Roman Temple

Evora Roman Temple
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Digitalsignal
The Roman Temple, which dates back more than 2000 years, is Évora’s most iconic monument and a significant historical site in Portugal. Constructed in the 1st century during the reign of Caesar Augustus, the Roman temple in Évora has undergone many changes and transformations over the years. It suffered extensive damage when barbarians invaded the […]
Location: Templo Romano Évora, Largo do Conde de Vila Flor, Evora, Portugal | Distance: 0.60km
Visiting Évora Roman Temple

Museu de Évora

Evora Museum
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Retogenes
This graceful museum is located next to the cathedral, occupying the former archbishop’s palace, which was constructed during the 16th century. The cloistered courtyard showcases remnants from various historical periods, including Islamic, Roman, and medieval artifacts. Upstairs, the museum features refined rooms displaying former Episcopal furnishings and a collection of Flemish paintings. Particularly noteworthy is […]
Location: Museu de Évora, Largo do Conde de Vila Flor, Evora, Portugal | Hours: 9.30am-5.30pm Tue-Sun | Price: adult/child €3/free | Distance: 0.60km
Visiting Museu de Évora

Évora Cathedral

Cathedral Of Évora
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Joaomartinho63
The Évora Cathedral is a massive structure, showcasing an architectural transition from Romanesque to Gothic style, with Renaissance and Baroque influences introduced later. It was initiated in 1186 and consecrated in 1204, and is currently the largest cathedral in Portugal. The exterior of the cathedral features a notable central dome built in the 13th century, […]
Location: Cathedral of Évora, Largo do Marquês de Marialva, Evora, Portugal | Hours: 9am-5pm | Price: €2.50 cathedral & cloister, with towers €3.50, with museum €4.50 | Distance: 0.60km
Visiting Évora Cathedral

Universidade de Évora

Universidade De Évora
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Pedro Paulo Palazzo
The University of Évora was established in the sixteenth century under the initiative of Cardinal D. Henrique, the 1st Archbishop of Évora, with the approval of King João III. The initial purpose was to build a facility for Jesuit seminarians, and in 1553, the community extended its building to include the Cloister of the ‘Botica’ […]
Location: Universidade de Évora, Largo dos Colegiais, Evora, Portugal | Hours: Main building 9am-8pm Mon-Fri, to 6pm Sat | Price: €3 | Distance: 0.70km
Visiting Universidade de Évora

Anta Grande do Zambujeiro

Anta Grande De Zambujeiro
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Ángel M. Felicísimo
Anta Grande do Zambujeiro de Valverde is a megalithic monument located in the Évora District of Portugal. It is considered to be one of the largest dolmens in the Iberian Peninsula and is estimated to date back to the Chalcolithic period, around 4000-3500 BCE. The monument has a diameter of approximately 50 meters and is […]
Location: Anta Grande do Zambujeiro, Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, Portugal | Distance: 9.50km
Visiting Anta Grande do Zambujeiro

Almendres Cromlech

Cromeleque Dos Almendres
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Ángel M. Felicísimo
The Cromlech of Almendres consists of two circles made up of 95 stones, some of which are adorned with schematic and geometric carvings. Additionally, in the vicinity, there is a 4-meter-tall Menhir. Recent investigations have confirmed that the majority of the stones remain in their original location and date back to the Neolithic period (4000 […]
Location: Almendres Cromlech, Almendras, Portugal | Distance: 12.90km
Visiting Almendres Cromlech

Tours and Activities from Évora