Almendres Cromlech, Évora

Historic Site near Évora

Cromeleque dos Almendres
Cromeleque dos Almendres
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Ángel M. Felicísimo

The Almendres Cromlech feels like a secret you discover on a quiet country drive: two stone circles set in a clearing, made up of 95 granite monoliths-some carved with simple geometric marks that still read clearly after thousands of years. It's located in the countryside outside Évora, surrounded by cork oaks and low Alentejo hills, with the kind of stillness that makes you instinctively lower your voice when you arrive.

Because it's so close to the city yet completely different in atmosphere, this spot is one of the best places to see in Évora if you want a deeper sense of the region beyond churches and plazas. It also pairs beautifully with a walking tour of Évora: spend the morning in the historic centre, then escape to the stones for a completely different chapter of time.

History and Significance of the Almendres Cromlech

The stones you see today belong to a long, layered prehistoric story rather than a single “construction moment.” The site is generally dated across the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods, with major phases spanning roughly 4000 BCE to 2500 BCE, and it’s considered one of the most important megalithic monuments in the Iberian Peninsula.

What makes Almendres especially compelling is how much of it appears to remain in its original setting. The circles form a deliberate layout-two clusters with different shapes and scales-suggesting that the monument evolved over time as communities changed, rituals shifted, and new meanings were added to an already-sacred place.

Nearby, the Almendres Menhir adds another layer to the landscape: a single standing stone around 4 metres tall, set apart from the circles, like a punctuation mark in the countryside. Seeing both helps you understand that this wasn’t just one monument, but a wider ceremonial landscape where position, horizon lines, and movement through the terrain mattered.

Things to See and Do in the Almendres Cromlech

Begin by walking the perimeter slowly before you step closer. From a distance, you can read the overall shape-two main circles/ellipses-then as you move in, individual stones start to feel distinct, each with its own profile, texture, and weathering. Some have faint carvings that are easiest to spot when the light is soft, so take your time and let your eyes adjust.

Look for stones with schematic markings and simple geometric motifs. Even if you’re not sure what you’re seeing at first, pausing and changing your angle often helps-side light can make shallow carvings pop. It’s also worth noticing how the stones sit within the wider landscape, because the setting is part of the experience: open sky, distant ridgelines, and the quiet rhythm of the countryside.

If you have time, add the Almendres Menhir as a second stop rather than treating it as optional. The short hop gives you a different feel-more solitary, more “marker-like”-and it rounds out the visit so you leave with a clearer sense of the megalithic landscape around Évora rather than just one photogenic circle.

How to Get to the Almendres Cromlech

Most travelers fly into Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) and then continue to Évora by land. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Évora on Booking.com. Faro Airport (FAO) can also work well if you're combining Alentejo with southern Portugal and prefer a broader loop. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Évora on Booking.com.

From Lisbon, you can reach Évora by train or bus, then use the city as your base for visiting the stones. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio. Once you’re in Évora, public transport out to the site is limited, so many visitors use a taxi, a pre-booked tour, or a rideshare-style arrangement depending on availability.

Driving is the simplest, most flexible option: the final approach is typically on a rural road, and conditions can be rough in places, so go slowly and avoid trying it right after heavy rain if you’re in a low-clearance vehicle. If you are looking to rent a car in Portugal I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Almendres Cromlech

  • Entrance fee: Free
  • Opening hours: 24 Hours
  • Best time to visit: Early morning for calm and cooler temperatures, or late afternoon for softer light that makes carvings easier to notice.
  • How long to spend: 45-90 minutes if you’re doing the circles and the nearby menhir at an unhurried pace.
  • Accessibility: The terrain is uneven and rural, with hard-packed ground and natural surfaces, so sturdy footwear helps and mobility can be challenging in wet conditions.
  • Facilities: There are no on-site facilities, so bring water, sun protection, and anything you need before leaving Évora.

Where to Stay Close to the Almendres Cromlech

For a culture-heavy itinerary, base yourself inside Évora’s historic centre so you can walk to the main sights and enjoy the city at quieter hours; the cromlech is then an easy half-day excursion into the countryside.

If you want an atmospheric stay that puts you right by the cathedral quarter and keeps everything walkable, consider Pousada Convento de Évora. For a stylish, central option in the lanes near the main squares, The Noble House Suites & Apartments is a strong pick. If you prefer a calm base that still keeps you within easy walking distance of the centre, Albergaria do Calvário works especially well for a relaxed pace.

Is the Almendres Cromlech Worth Visiting?

Yes, especially if you're the kind of traveler who likes places that feel genuinely ancient rather than curated. The Almendres Cromlech is quiet, open, and immersive-less “attraction” and more experience-where the landscape does as much work as the stones themselves.

It’s also a perfect contrast stop if your trip is heavy on churches, museums, and city streets. Even a short visit can reset your day: fresh air, wide horizons, and a direct encounter with prehistory that feels surprisingly personal.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.3 (4,349)

Almendres Cromlech is a Neolithic site of upright standing stones arranged in a circle, some bearing inscriptions, set on open plains near Nossa Sra. de Guadalupe; visitors note a short walk from the top car park but a much longer approach from other laybys, and warn the narrow, bumpy access road with many potholes can be rough on cars (biking or sturdy vehicles recommended), while the stones themselves and the expansive views across the plains toward Évora make the visit worthwhile despite limited on-site information.

Michael Garwood
2 months ago
"From the top car park its only a short walk. A much much longer walk from the other lay by area. Easy to misunderstand which one your going to lookat due to the poor information. The stones themselves definitely need more information to tell the story behind it. The road up on small dirt bikes was excellent fun but cars need to take it steady...."
Alessia Liscia
4 months ago
"We visited this site: the walk is quite long since it’s best to leave the car at a distance. The road to get there is in very poor condition, so youreally need to drive slowly to avoid damaging the car. The archaeological site itself is nice – there’s nothing around it, but it’s still an interesting place to visit...."
A vA
2 months ago
"Great piece of history! The drive is tricky though. You will need a decent car there are a lot of potholes! Worth the visit though!"

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

This is a great stop for kids who like open-air exploring, because it’s essentially a natural scavenger hunt: big stones, strange shapes, and carvings to search for. Keep it short and upbeat, and bring snacks and water so the visit stays comfortable.

If you’re visiting with younger children, plan a simple structure: arrive, do one slow loop, find a couple of “favourite stones,” then leave before energy drops. The key is to treat it as an outdoor adventure rather than a long history lesson.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

Almendres is quietly romantic in the way only wide-open landscapes can be-especially near sunset, when the light warms the granite and the site feels almost private. It's an ideal “slow travel” moment: walk, talk, take a few photos, then head back into Évora for dinner.

For couples, the best approach is to keep the schedule light. Build the day around a calm morning in the city, a countryside visit in the afternoon, and an evening back in town-no rushing, no tight timing, just a gentle rhythm.

Budget Travelers

With free entry and no ticket requirements, this is one of the best-value experiences around Évora. If you're watching costs, the main decision is transport: sharing a taxi with other travelers or booking a group tour can be cheaper than renting a car for a single day.

Pack water and a simple snack from Évora and treat the visit as part of a low-cost countryside day. You'll get a high-impact experience without paying for a “paid attraction” slot in your budget.

FAQs for Visiting Almendres Cromlech

Getting There

It’s in the countryside outside Évora, near the village of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, set among cork oaks and rural tracks. It’s close enough for a half-day trip but far enough to feel like a true escape from the city.
The simplest option is driving or taking a taxi, since public transport is limited for this route. If you prefer not to self-drive, a guided half-day tour is an easy, low-stress alternative.
Start by getting into Évora’s historic centre, then arrange onward transport from there, as it’s easier to coordinate. A taxi from the station can work, but many drivers are more familiar with pickups in the central area.
Yes, there is typically informal parking close to the site, and driving is the most flexible option. Just take it slowly on the final rural stretch, especially after rain.

Tickets & Entry

Yes, it’s generally free and open access, with no ticket booth at the site. The experience is self-guided, so you can spend as little or as long as you like.
No booking is needed for the site itself. The only reason to reserve ahead is if you’re joining a guided tour or arranging a specific taxi pickup time.
The main thing is respect: avoid climbing or treating the stones like playground equipment, and keep to the natural paths where possible. It’s also worth remembering you’re in a fragile archaeological landscape, not a managed park.

Visiting Experience

Around 45 minutes is enough to walk a loop, see the main clusters, and take photos. If you add the nearby menhir, plan closer to 90 minutes for a calmer visit.
It can be, but only if you’re comfortable trading some city time for a countryside experience. If your priority is Évora’s UNESCO centre, save the cromlech for a second day or an early start.
Pair it with the Almendres Menhir and then return to Évora for a late lunch and a relaxed afternoon walk in the old town. That combination gives you prehistoric landscape and city atmosphere in one day without feeling rushed.
Light rain can be fine, but heavy rain can make the approach and ground conditions unpleasant. If the weather is poor, consider swapping the visit for a city-based museum stop and returning to Almendres when conditions are dry.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

Yes, many megalithic or countryside tours from Évora include it as the headline stop. It’s especially common in half-day itineraries that add the menhir and one or two nearby viewpoints.
Independent visiting is great if you mainly want atmosphere and time to wander. A guided tour adds value if you want help spotting carvings and understanding how the site fits into the wider megalithic landscape.
Do a slow perimeter loop first, then go closer for details and carvings, and finish by stepping back for wide, landscape-focused photos. If you still have time and energy, add the menhir as a second short stop.

Photography

Yes, especially for wide shots that place the stones in the cork-oak landscape. It’s also rewarding for detail photos of carvings if you’re patient with light and angles.
Early morning gives you fewer people and calmer compositions. Late afternoon often provides softer light that brings out texture and makes the scene feel more atmospheric.
Casual photography is typically fine, but treat the site respectfully and avoid disruptive setups in tight spaces. If you’re using a tripod, be mindful of other visitors moving through the circles.
Aim for a wide frame that captures the curve of the circles with open sky behind them, then add one close-up of a carved stone for contrast. That pairing tells the story better than a single image.

Accessibility & Facilities

It can be challenging because the ground is uneven and rural, and conditions vary with weather. If mobility is a concern, consider visiting with someone who can assist and keep expectations flexible.
No, there are typically no on-site facilities, so plan ahead in Évora. Bring water, and treat it as a countryside walk rather than a serviced attraction.
There’s no formal seating, but you can pause on natural ground or nearby clearings. A small foldable cushion or light layer can make breaks more comfortable.
A stroller is possible but not ideal due to rough ground and natural paths. A baby carrier is usually easier and makes the visit more relaxed.

Food & Breaks Nearby

It’s easiest to eat before you go or after you return to Évora, where options are plentiful and reliable. Think of the cromlech visit as a “bring-your-own-water” excursion rather than a meal stop.
A simple plan is to do Almendres in the morning, then head back into Évora for lunch near Praça do Giraldo. That way you get countryside calm first, then city atmosphere when you’re ready to slow down.

Safety & Timing

Yes, it’s generally safe, but it’s rural, so basic precautions matter: tell someone your plan, keep your phone charged, and bring water. Visiting in daylight is the most comfortable choice.
Early morning is best for quiet and cooler temperatures. Later in the day can be more atmospheric, especially when the light softens and the stones feel more sculptural.

Nearby Attractions to the Almendres Cromlech

  • Almendres Menhir: A solitary 4-metre standing stone nearby that completes the megalithic landscape story.
  • Anta Grande do Zambujeiro: One of Portugal's most impressive dolmens, with a monumental chamber and a powerful sense of scale.
  • Roman Temple of Évora: Évora's iconic Roman landmark, ideal to pair with Almendres for a “prehistory to empire” day.
  • Évora Cathedral (Sé de Évora): A fortress-like Gothic cathedral with rooftop views over the Alentejo plain.
  • Capela dos Ossos: The unforgettable Chapel of Bones, a striking and thought-provoking contrast to Évora's outdoor monuments.

The Almendres Cromlech appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Évora!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

24 Hours

Price:

Free

Address: Almendres Cromlech, Almendras, Portugal
Évora: 13 km

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