Visit Evora Portugal 2026: monuments, transport and guided tours
Article updated March 2026 – transport prices, opening hours and monuments verified.
Evora is one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal. Walking along its centre, you can undoubtedly feel its history, which was formed under the influence of the Moors and Romans. Numerous architectural monuments, as well as fine wines from one of the best regions of Portugal (Alentejo), cheeses and local sweets, attract tourists from all over the world to Evora every year.
Evora has been the spiritual centre of the country for centuries. The city is located in the south of Portugal, in the province of Alentejo, among olive groves, vineyards and flowery meadows, only 130 km from Lisbon. On the programme: narrow streets, old buildings, arches, squares with fountains glittering in the sun… All this makes Evora a historical and typical Portuguese museum city. The city of Evora was declared a World Cultural Monument by UNESCO in 1986.
Guided tour of Evora in Portugal
Some people will want to visit Evora on their own and will find below some information on how to get there and the places to discover in the city.
For those who prefer to be accompanied and set up a guided tour of Evora without taking any risk on the quality of the visit, you will find below a selection of the best tours. They are all organised by English-speaking guides, have received excellent ratings from a large number of participants and can be cancelled 24 hours in advance.
How to get to Evora?
Evora can be reached by train, bus or car. The railway station is located in the southern part of the city, 20 minutes walk from the centre.
- By train from Lisbon: the direct journey takes about 1.5 to 2 hours with around 8 departures per day. Tickets start at around €13 (single). Book on the official Portuguese railways website.
- By train from Setubal: with a stop at Pinhal Nova, the journey takes just under 1.5 hours. Tickets from €11.
- By train from the Algarve: two trains per day from Lagos and Faro. Expect around 4 hours and €26 for your ticket.
- By bus from Lisbon: Rede Expressos operates services from Sete Rios bus station, taking about 1.5 to 2 hours. Tickets from €12.
- By car from Lisbon: take the A2 motorway, then the A6, then the N114 which leads directly to Evora. Allow about 1.5 hours.
Weather in Evora
The Atlantic affects the climate in Portugal, including Evora. Summers can exceed 35°C while winter nights can drop below 5°C. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit, with pleasant temperatures around 20–25°C. Check the official weather forecast for Evora before you go.
Average temperatures in Evora throughout the year:
- Top line: daytime
- Bottom line: at night
What to see in Evora during your visit?
History buffs will surely linger in Evora. The entire northern part of the Alentejo province is famous for the buildings preserved in excellent condition during the Neolithic period (4000–2000 BC). 16 km west of Evora, near the village of Guadalupe, is the Cromlech of the Almendres: a construction of 95 giant menhir rocks, one of the most important megalithic complexes in Europe. Free access, open 24 hours.
In a city with such a rich past, there are many different monuments, such as the Roman Temple of Diana, dating from the 1st century. It was built in honour of Emperor Augustus. After being rebuilt several times and partially destroyed by conquerors, it miraculously survived for 2,000 years and is now on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Free entry, visible 24 hours a day.
Photo Luis Mata
Even older, you can visit the Água de Prata Aqueduct in Evora, 18 km long and also built in the 1st century for the needs of a Roman colony. This great monument was restored in the 16th century by the architect Francisco de Arruda. Free access.
Praça do Giraldo is the central square of Evora, which has seen much of Portuguese history — from mass executions at the stake in the 15th century to a heated debate on land reform in the 1970s. Today its 16th-century Manueline fountain and café terraces make it a typically Portuguese meeting place. Free access.
Photo Paolo Querci
On the walls of one of the streets overlooking Giraldo Square, called “Rua das Casas Pintadas”, you can see a gallery of fantastic characters: sirens, trees and animals from India, commissioned by Vasco da Gama when he lived in Evora.
Not far from the main square is Evora’s most famous church — Igreja de São Francisco, a Gothic cathedral built around 1510 in honour of St Francis during the reign of Manuel I. Next to it is the Chapel of the Bones, built from skulls and other human bones. The remains of 5,000 buried people show motifs on the walls, and the white brick ceiling has frescoes on the theme of death. The inscription at the entrance reads: “We, the bones, are waiting for you.” Admission 2026: €6 (church only: €4) — open 9:00–17:00.
The Sé Cathedral of Evora, in Gothic style dating from the 12th century, is also worth visiting. Cloister admission: €3 — open 9:00–17:00.
The Portuguese city of Evora offers tourists a one-hour excursion by electric car, accompanied by a certified art history specialist. Itinerary:
- Hotel M’ar de Ar Aqueduto
- Garcia de Resendi Theatre
- Ruins of a Roman temple
- Monastery of Santa Monica
- Holy Spirit College Building
- Portas de Moura Fountain
- Church and Monastery of São Francisco
- Aqueduct
- Giraldo Square
- New City Wall
Note: this tour of Evora is almost certainly only offered in English or Portuguese. For English-speaking guided tours of Evora, please refer to my selection at the top of this page.
It is advisable to visit the university building, founded in the mid-16th century. For a long time, students and teachers from all over Europe came to Evora to study here. The university was closed in the 18th century and only reopened after 200 years, in the 1970s. Admission: approximately €3.
Walking through the streets of Evora, do visit the Monastery of Saint Clara (15th century), where the city museum collection is temporarily displayed while the museum itself undergoes restoration. For a relaxing walk, head to the city garden south of the Igreja de São Francisco, where you will find the remains of Don Manuel’s palace.
For lovers of traditional spectacle, bullfights take place 3 to 4 times a year in a special arena near the city garden from May to October. Tickets: €15–30.
Theatres, restaurants and bars in Evora
The actors of the Garcia de Resende Theatre present a puppet show for children called Santo Aleixo Puppets (tel: 266 703 112, Off Largo de Machede Velho Old Town). A theatre performance, art exhibition or concert can be seen at the Sociedade Harmonia Eborense (Praça do Giraldo 72, tel: +351 (266) 74-68-74).
In Evora you can easily find a wide variety of restaurants, bars and cafes serving traditional Alentejo cuisine. Don’t forget to try the incredible wines, as Evora is also famous for its wine tours throughout the Alentejo region.
- Amas do Cardeal: a popular bar where guest DJs play cool and funky house music. Address: Rua Amas do Cardeal 4A, Old Town.
- Oficina Bar: a calm and pleasant atmosphere with jazz and blues rhythms. Address: Rua da Moeda 27.
- Not far from the Garcia Theatre, there are several bars, restaurants and cafes, including a vegetarian option.
