Top Things to do in Evora District
The 10 Best Things to do in Evora District, Alentejo
Discover the best top things to do in Evora District, Portugal including Capela dos Ossos, Igreja de Sao Francisco, Cathedral of Evora (Se Catedral de Evora), University of Evora, Centro Interpretativo dos Almendres, Monsaraz Castle and Walls, Muralhas de Evora, Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Visitacao (Montemor-o-Novo), Centro Historico de Evora, Templo Romano de Evora (Templo de Diana).
Restaurants in Evora District
1. Capela dos Ossos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,483 reviews
The walls and pillars of the chapel, built in the century XVII, are lined with thousands of human bones and skulls. Ceilings with murals realtivas death. Written on a plaque next to the door, the phrase "We bones that are here for your hope", reminds us how fleeting passage through life.
Reviewed By jonahNJ - Pennington, United States
The one place I was really looking forward to visiting in Portugal was the Chapel of The Bones. Once inside this relatively small chapel, it exceeded my expectations! Note that the chapel is small, so there is a staggering of groups admitted to the chapel. However, the visitors moved along well during my visit. Just outside of the chapel is a poem which compels travelers to ponder their existence. If that was not enough of a prompt, just over the entrance to the chapel is the engraved warning “Nós ossos que aqui estamos pelos vossos esperamos” which loosely translates to “We bones that are here, we are waiting for yours." I then entered the chapel and sure enough all of the walls and pillars are covered in a variety of human bones and skulls. Skulls are also used to trim portions of the ceiling. During my visit, I learned that approximately 5,000 skeletons from church cemeteries in Evora were used to “decorate” the chapel. Visiting this small chapel was one of the most surreal experiences of my life and a must see for visitors to Evora.
2. Igreja de Sao Francisco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 457 reviews
Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
You are about to visit "Igreja de São Francisco", a beautiful church at the historic center of Évora. It is considered to be the very first Franciscan Order church in Portugal, dating from the 13th century. Later, between 1475 and 1550, it was remodeled, acquiring Gothic and Manueline architectural characteristics, which are still seen. Along the years, the Portuguese Royal Family chose the church complex as its lodging place while visiting Évora, appointing "Igreja de São Francisco" as the "Royal Chapel". Generous donations from the Portuguese Crown helped creating its refined and luxurious interior, with beautiful altars, gilded sculptureworks and Renaissance and Baroque choir stalls. Ten open chapels, five on each side, reflect the richness of its decoration. Restoration efforts, dating from 2015, brought back its former splendor. Visit the church, altars, baptismal font, side chapels and the adjoining "Capela dos Ossos" (literally, "Chapel of Bones" in English), one of the most famous tourist attractions of Évora. Enjoy!
3. Cathedral of Evora (Se Catedral de Evora)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,119 reviews
Roman-Gothic 12th century cathedral. Guard a valuable treasure. Spectacular visit the cloisters of the cathedral and coverage, with magnificent views of the historic center. Is part of the monumental complex as a Unesco World Heritage
Reviewed By IndySig - Indianapolis, United States
We enjoyed viewing and walking around this old beauty. The cloister area was interesting with the spiral staircase and beautiful vaulted roof. Plus, the Madonna and the crypts were fascinating. The views from the top were great of the city and the cathedral was interesting. A great visit.
4. University of Evora
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 438 reviews
Reviewed By Sightsee538677 - Sibiu County, Romania
Among the tourist attractions of Evora, the building Colégio do Espírito Santo of University of Evora is a place to be seen. It takes only 1 hour to make a visit, and the building will fascinate you with the first steps you take in the inner yard surrounded by a cloister. The tiles that decorate classrooms are true works of art! Look on the ceilings after the image of the dove on a circle, symbol of the Holy Spirit and also of the University. Do not miss the cistern, the room where the Jesuits were accustomed to collecting the rain. Because I did a business visit, I can say that university staff is professional, very welcoming and communicating, real help for my purpose!
5. Centro Interpretativo dos Almendres
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,259 reviews
Reviewed By remcoh127 - Santa Barbara de Nexe, Portugal
The 8,000 year old, Cromeleque dos Almendres near Guadelupe (Évora, Alentejo) dates from the new Stone Age and Bronze Age. The double stone circle is made up of 95 egg-shaped megaliths and is located on top of a hill. There is a rolling landscape with cork oaks all around; the view is beautiful. The standing stones of the Almendres Cromlech are regarded as the finest example of Neolithic structures that remain on the Iberian Peninsula. Thankfully, the local government has not cordoned or fenced off the stones and visitors are free to wander around the entire site and even touch the stones. This relaxed approach extends to the management of the site, there is no entrance fee and the stones are open to visit at any time. You need a car to reach the stones from the visitors centre over a unpaved track of 4 km, walking is not advised because you share the track with cars. The atmosphere is peaceful and you experience a magical sentiment when think this was build 6.000 B.C.
6. Monsaraz Castle and Walls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,282 reviews
Reviewed By martyncymro - Coimbra, Portugal
Monsaraz is one of the gems of Portugal and after the major urban centres of Lisbon and Porto, should be one of the first in the list of places to visit when touring Portugal. Monsaraz has preserved its medieval buildings and town walls, although settlement on the hill dates from prehistory. The walls proved ineffective as the town passes from Christians to Muslims, back to Christians and back to Muslims and once the Muslims were defeated it passed between the Spanish and the Portuguese. These days it's possible to walk along part of the walls and castle and see the splendid views they offer over the surrounding countryside. Well worth a visit and highly recommended. You cannot drive into the town, but there are several carparks outside the walls and then a short walk of 100 metres, or so, into the town.
7. Muralhas de Evora
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 492 reviews
Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
While visiting Évora, in the Portuguese region of Alentejo, it will be impossible to miss the ancient Walls! Nearly untouched after so many centuries ... The "Walls of Évora" are remnants of the Roman years in "Lusitânia", dating partially from the 1st century ... They were later rebuilt by Visigoths and Moors, until Portuguese King Dom Afonso IV, in the 15th century, ordered their enlargement, with the construction of new ramparts, towers and gates, setting the limits of the medieval town. As you will notice, with so many additions, it has characteristics from many different military architectural styles. If time is not a constraint, you can even try to walk the whole perimeter of the awesome "Walls of Évora"! Enjoy!
8. Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Visitacao (Montemor-o-Novo)
9. Centro Historico de Evora
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,508 reviews
The city of Evora is world heritage not only for its monuments. Their culture, their streets, whitewashed houses, the latticed balconies, their uneven sidewalks, its Gothic doors and windows, narrow and irregular streets of the Jewish quarter, its whiteness contrasting with the blue sky, its people , traditions and cuisine, among others make Evora is one of the best preserved world heritage cities. Stroll through its elegant medieval arcades and the unpretentious streets breathe history in Romans, Arabs and medieval manor and detail framed by the picturesque. Get regional crafts, indulge in the cuisine of the area and be sure to enjoy their famous wines. With a good hotel infrastructure, with many good restaurants, with warm people and beautiful monuments, Evora awaits your visit.
Reviewed By Paul7407 - Potsdam, Germany
We loved walking from our hotel, on the outskirts of Évora, through to the centre. The houses are beautiful and streets still have that feeling of old! It has a peaceful atmosphere with a colourful feel to it. Add the historical discoveries on nearly every corner and it's just a fantastic tranquil place to visit. We loved it and wished we could stay a few days longer. ENJOY :)
10. Templo Romano de Evora (Templo de Diana)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 3,804 reviews
The temple, built in the first half of the first century AD. C., which as we can see today, it is completely surrounded by a portico more evident than was the forum of the Roman city, large square that stretched at its greatest extent, in the north-south direction and trace, in following archaeological work done in that area, we know that occupied all the space goes, roughly, the southern boundary of the garden to the Cathedral and the Palace of the Inquisition until Cadaval Palace. Rectangular in plan, with 25x15m, hexastilo (with six columns on its front) and periptero (with free speaker to involve the entire perimeter of the cell), was built in the Corinthian style with use of local materials, marble column bases and in capitals and granite structure of the podium, the pediments and entablature. A wrap it north, east and west in a tank signinum opus (lime mortar, sand and crushed pottery) created a water mirror certainly connected with the cult.
Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
In the 1st century AD, the town of "Ebora Liberalitas Iulia" was one of the most remarkable ones of the Roman Lusitania. At its temple, Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar was worshipped as a god (and not goddess Diana, as oftenly mistakenly believed). Outstanding parts of its marble and granite structure survived to our days and can be easily visited at Évora's historic center, surrounded by impressive buildings, as the beautiful "Sé Catedral de Évora". Unmissable! Enjoy!
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