Interesting & Unique Things To Do In Evora

Evora is a city that is located in the Evora district of Portugal. It is very easy to get confused because they both have the same name. A lot of people consider the city as a day trip from Lisbon but there are so many things to do in Evora that we filled the three days that we were in the city easily.

Evora is an aging town and you will instantly note that most of the population that lives in the city is old. They manage the shops and the restaurants and run everything. In 1986, the city of Evora was declared a UNESCO Heritage site which is what really put it on the map as far as the tourists are concerned.

The quaint city is known for its Chapel of Bones, which I will talk about in just a bit. There are plenty of other things to do in Evora that you will love to.

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Where To Stay In Evora

Everyone thinks about taking a day trip to the old city but with the number of things to do in Evora and just its amazing vibe, I recommend spending a couple of days there just like we did. Here are a couple of great places to stay.

M'AR De AR Aqueduto (Central, Luxury)
Convento Do Espinheiro - (Historic Hotel & Spa, Luxury)
CICIOSO boutique hotel - (Mid Range, Central)
Hotel Ibis (Close to the Old City, Budget )

Things To Do In Evora

Evora is one of those cities that looks small but has a ton of interesting stuff. From little cafes and restaurants to fado and museums. There's a lot happening in the city. I'm going to divide the things to do in Evora in different sections so that you can scroll down to the points that interest you very easily.

Religious Structures

Like all Portuguese cities and villages, many of the things to do in Evora revolve around visiting the religious buildings. This is because there are many iconic churches and even a cathedral in the area. Here are the ones that you should visit.

1. Cathedral Of Evora

The Cathedral of Evora is huge and is designed using Gothic architecture. It is one of the things to do in Evora that you really should not miss. It isn't a quick visit in and out either so make sure you keep about an hour to an hour and a half to visit it thoroughly.

You start off by heading up the tower and catching the best panoramic view of the city. You can walk along the roof and see Evora from different directions. This is also one of the best places to take photographs in Evora.

You then walk through the cloister of the cathedral before heading into the main cathedral itself. Do not discard your ticket because you will need it to get in and out of the museum.

2. The Art Museum Of The Cathedral

The Art museum houses some of the important pieces of art that belong to the cathedral and its benefactors. The entrance to this is included in the price of the ticket to the cathedral. There are some priceless artifacts inside here which is why there is so much security to enter and exit it.

3. Church Of St John The Evangelist or Igreja dos Lóios em Évora

The Church of St John the Evangelist is located in the center of the city and is close to the Roman Temple of Evora. While there are many churches in the city, this one stands out because of the beautiful blue tile work that lines the walls in the interior of the church.

The entry is paid so you do need to buy a ticket. If you haven't see the Azulejos in a church in Portugal before then this is one of the must so experiences in Evora. We've seen them before and we still found it fascinating.

4. Chapel Of Bones / Capela dos Ossos

If I had to pick just one of the things to do in Evora then this would be it. The Chapel of Bones which translates to Capela dos Ossos in Portugues is one of the most unique attractions in the city and people come from all over the world to see it. The entrance is paid but it is totally worth it.

Once you enter the first thing that you see is the Chapel. The archway has a saying that translates to 'We are here in the bones, for you we wait.' The inside of the chapel is lined with bones. It is not clear where the bones were brought from but it is thought that it was from somewhere in the vicinity.

5. Museu De Evora

While it is called the Museum of Evora, the art that is inside it belongs to the church and the chapel. You will find a number of paintings, artifacts and even tablets that once belonged to the church. It also chronicles the history that the church went through.

Historical Monuments In Evora

There are a number of historical monuments in Evora that are worth visiting. Not all these are must sees if you are short on time. Some of them like the Roman temple should not be missed.

6. The Roman Temple Of Evora

The Roman Temple of Evora is remarkably well preserved. If you wander the streets of the city, it is easy to forget the influence that the Romans had on it. That is until you take a turn and find yourself staring at a remarkably well preserved temple like this.

There is no entrance ticket to the temple. You can walk around it and admire the columns that still stand but you can't actually enter it. On a hot day, you can sit on the benches in the park next door and just admire the view.

7. Ruínas Fingidas

The Ruínas Fingidas are located in the public garden of Evora and are really pretty. They are actually created from the pieces that were salvaged from ruins found in the surrounding area. Nevertheless, they are very pretty and a nice addition to the park. You will also find plenty of peacocks and peahens here. We even saw a couple of chicks when we visited.

8. The Fortress Walls / Baluarte Do Principe

You can access the fortress walls through the Public garden of Evora. It is a quiet area of the city and it is a nice place to decompress. You can catch a view of the city outside from here. Alternatively, you could also explore the walls from below where you can actually see its magnificence as it towers above you.

9. The Aqueduct

Did you know that Evora has an aqueduct? It is not one of the most popular things to do in Evora but if you have time, you can walk to the edge of the city where the old aqueduct merges with the buildings. It is very unique and interesting to see how the old and the new architecture merges. If you step away from the historical city center, you see the aqueduct crossing over the countryside.

10. Giraldo Square And Its Fountain

The Giraldo square fountain is extremely pretty and it is one of the most iconic spots in the city. Exploring the square is one of the popular things to do in Evora because of how picturesque it is. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes in the area. You can pull up a chair in the square and just enjoy the vibe.

Shopping For Souvenirs In Evora

I've spoken about the souvenirs from Lisbon before but you don't have to wait to head to the capital city to get something to take back home. Evora has tons of cool shops and explore them was so much fun which is why I had to add it to my list of things to do in Evora. Here are some souvenirs from Evora that should pique your attention.

Cork products - wine stoppers, shoes, bags etc.
Magnetic tiles with azulejo patterns or names
Ceramic coasters
Cloth bags
Hats with unique Portugues designs
Clothes - There are so many nice boutique shops here.
Wine - amazing local wine shops to head to.
Cheese
Books

Wine Tasting

There are many vineyards in the area and the Portuguese make really good wine. There are a number of places where you can taste wine in the city. You can then choose to take the wine back home as a souvenir too.

Vineyard Tours

Did you know that one of the best places to head out wine tasting and on a vineyard tour is from Evora. Most people talk about it as the thing to do in Porto but there are many wine regions in Portugal and each region has its own brand of wine. Evora is no different. There are a tours that take your from Lisbon to Evora's vineyards and there are tours from Evora itself.

Monsaraz and Wine guided tour from Évora

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This particular tour takes you to Monsaraz where you get to enjoy the hilltop village. You also get to see how the locals make their potter which is one of the traditional crafts that is kept alive till today. The tour ends with a taste of wine from the region. You get to enjoy these at a local winery.

The reason why I like this tour is because it gives you a glimpse of the Portuguese life. The day to day activities and the local crafts which are so worth preserving. Few people get to see these since most people just head to the popular tourist locations.

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Tours To Consider In Evora

It is absolutely okay if you don't want to cover all the things to do in Evora on your own. Here are some tours that will take you through the city and the surroundings while giving you information about the important landmarks.

From Lisbon

If you are heading in from Lisbon and just for a short while then these tours help you plan your day trip.

As you can see, there are plenty of things to do in Evora. It is an old city with old Roman ruins, intriguing museums, plenty of countryside, music, food and warmth. Its a great weekend away from Lisbon or just a great quite holiday spot to be in!