In the historic centre of Évora, a distinctive cityscape meets a history stretching far back in time: whitewashed houses with azulejos and wrought-iron balconies characterise buildings from the 16th to 18th centuries. The history of the centre dates back more than twenty centuries, to Celtic times. The preserved historic centre and its characteristic cityscape helped Évora earn its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Buildings with layers of history
The Roman Temple provides a glimpse into an early phase of the city's history. Construction began in the 1st century AD, during the reign of Augustus. The temple was dedicated to the imperial cult, not to the goddess Diana. The cathedral tells a different story of construction: work began in 1186, it was consecrated in 1204, and completed in 1250. Its terrace offers panoramic views across the city.
The Church of São Francisco also makes its own architectural statement. Its single-nave layout ends in a ribbed vault whose span is considered the largest in Portuguese Gothic architecture. The temple, cathedral and church reveal different historical and architectural aspects of Évora, without reducing the city's history to a single period.
The aqueduct and the municipality's landscape
The Água da Prata Aqueduct connects engineering history with specific dimensions: it was inaugurated on 28 March 1537 and extends for approximately 18 kilometres to Herdade do Divor. Its approximate length and named endpoint give an idea of its scale; they do not imply a particular sightseeing route.
Beyond the historic centre, the rural landscape of the municipality of Évora is characterised by extensive cork oak and holm oak forests, pastures, olive groves, vineyards and irrigated farmland. The water for these areas comes from the Alqueva water network. Within the municipality, the historic cityscape and a diverse agricultural landscape thus offer different themes for a trip.
Exhibitions and megalithic history
The Centro Interpretativo da Cidade de Évora is housed in the Palácio de D. Manuel. In addition to rooms for temporary exhibitions, it has a fully equipped conference room. The Núcleo Interpretativo do Megalitismo focuses on something different: its interactive permanent exhibition explores the megalithic phenomenon in the municipality of Évora. Those interested in the area's history can therefore explore a broader archaeological theme as well as the buildings in the centre.
Regional cuisine and getting around
Évora's traditional cuisine combines bread, pork and lamb with herbs such as coriander, mint, pennyroyal and oregano. Olive oil, garlic, onions and bay leaves are also among the ingredients mentioned. The local cheese-making tradition includes a matured cheese with a hard or semi-hard, slightly yellow paste and a barely perceptible rind. It is made using the traditional Alentejo method and is classified as a DOP product.
For getting around the centre, the Linha Azul is useful to know about: this circular minibus service mainly serves the historic centre, with departures from the bus station every 15 minutes. As the frequency may change, check the current timetable before travelling. The bus station is about a ten-minute walk from the historic centre. Évora is also suitable for a relatively accessible walk between various sights, as most streets do not have steep gradients. This can help with planning, but does not mean that every street or sight is accessible.
Discover more destinations: Évora, Azaruja, São Brás Do Regedouro, Canaviais, Torre de Coelheiros, Mourão, Alcáçovas, Redondo.
Go to the main travel overview: Evora.
