Portugal’s Evora, in the heart of Portugal and the Alentejo region, spans 2000 years of history with monuments to prove each occupation, from Romans to 16th century aqueducts, medieval churches laden with Brazilian gold, and houses glazed with traditional Portugese blue tiles.
Stay at Evora’s small, intown Casa do Escritor (house of the writer) perfect for this travel writer, witha courtyard and pool, interior parking, all perfectly located near Praca Do Giraldo – the center square.
Or Pousada do Loios if you wish to sleep in a fancy 15th century monastery, small rooms at big prices
Evora is a grand walled city, everything inside the fort is easily on foot, from the Roman Temple and Baths atop the hill, to the largest Cathedral in Portugal nearby – be sure to go up the tower and walk the elaborate tiled rooftop by the belltower.
EXPLORE EVORA…
The lavish Sao Francisco Church is home to the very creepy Chapel of Bones, and the old revitalized 1559 University. Be sure to visit and go in the crypt made entirely of human bones….
Evora outdoor cafes, pastry shops and native cork product shops line the streets, especially Rue 5 Outubro – named for Portugal’s 1910 Republic date. PipaRoza serves delicious tapas with 50+ alentejo wines by the glass. Fialho is a tiny authentic restaurant you must reserve in advanced. Its fun to just sit at a cafe and sip Portuguese wine while watching the blend of retirees and college students, Evora has aa vibrant but relaxed vibe.
Cromeleque is just 15 minutes east of Evora. Here 92 Stonehenge-style oval stones create a celestial calendar and place of mesmerizing solace, dating back to 2000 BC. On your dirt road drive, equally impressive are the cork oak trees, see the red scarred trees stripped of this valuable versatile renewable wine-stopper wood. Who knew Portugal produces 50% of the world’s corks for wine, shoes, bulletin and cutting boards, and flooring? I’ll drink to that.
See more of our reviews of the sensational capital city of Lisbon, journeying up the gorgeous Douro River tasting port at quintas around every bend, the Schist villages, perhaps popping over to Spain and the Pyrenees mountains.
More Portugal Travel Tips:
Lisbon
Porto
Douro River Valley
Evora
Sintra
Schist Villages of Portugal
