Planning A Day Trip To Evora In Alentejo Region
On our stay in Beja, we planned a day trip to Evora in Alentejo region of Portugal. We found a lot to see on our visit and could easily have spent more time in Evora.
The UNESCO city of Evora was high on our list of places to visit when we finally visited the Alentejo region. It was even better when we learned that Evora was named as the European Capital of Culture for 2027. We visited the charming town of Matera in Italy before it became the European Capital of Culture in 2019. And we were glad we saw both of these cities before they were discovered by hoards of tourists.
We enjoyed a busy day wandering in Evora. And we saw several of the key big tourist sites – the Temple Diana (Romano), Evora Cathedral and the Chapel of Bones (Capela dos Ossos). One day we will return and explore at a slower pace.
Entering The Walled City Of Evora
There were many gates to enter the city of Evora. When we plotted the drive from our stay in Beja, we wanted to enter by the Roman Aqueduct. Ancient aqueducts still stood in many walled cities we visited. The aqueduct was an impressive site as it ran into the city. And when we were inside the gate, we found other views of the aqueduct up close.
Before we started out we did our research on key sites we wanted to visit. So we had some idea where we wanted to park. But the narrow cobblestone streets with narrow archways soon sent us searching for a parking spot. It reminded us very much of navigating inside the walled city of Obidos in Portugal.
We found a parking spot right in front of the Evora Cathedral and could not believe our luck. But an old man sitting in the shade waved us off. When we looked at the signs carefully we saw that many of the spots were for locals only. So we headed off again. We finally got parked and had no intention of moving the car again until it was time to end our day trip to Evora.
Starting With The Roman Temple (or Templo de Diana)
We parked our car and as we came up the hill we got an amazing first view of the Roman Temple of Évora (also referred to as the Templo de Diana). This was one of the greatest and best preserved Roman temples in the Iberian Peninsula. It was built in Corinthian style in the early 1st century AD. 14 of the original Corinthian columns still remained. It reminded us of the many Roman ruins we found in Athens. We wandered around and saw it from different angles. A stunning first view of Evora.
Across from the Temple was the Diana Garden (Jardim de Diana). We wandered in the quiet tranquil spot and admired the different sculptures in the park.
There was a coffee shop by the garden but it was not open yet. Above the Roman Temple we saw the roof of the Evora Cathedral. That was the next stop on our day trip to Evora in Alentejo. When we got on the roof of the Cathedral, we even saw right back to this spot.
Heading High At The Evora Cathedral
We arrived at the Evora Cathedral very early in the day. It was known as the Sé de Évora, a short form for the Basílica Sé de Nossa Senhora da Assunção (Basilica Cathedral of Our Lady of Assumption). It was the largest medieval cathedral in Portugal.
While we planned to explore the interior, we wanted to get up on the roof terrace before the crowds arrived. We paid the admission price and headed right for the narrow stairs up.
We were delighted to find few people on the top as we wandered along the different wings on the roof. There were no guardrails and the walking was not even. So this was not a place for everyone.
At one end we found the bell towers. While we were on top we were even serenaded by the bells.
From this high spot over Evora we got amazing panoramic views of the city and the countryside in the distance. We even got a view back to the Roman Temple of Évora. A great way to start our day trip to Evora in Alentejo.
We found the spiral stairs and headed down.
Exploring The Cloisters
We came out on the ground level by the Cloisters. The corridors went in a square and the ceiling was formed by gothic arches. As we walked around the Cloisters, we got looked through the columns and saw the inside courtyard.
We found the tombs of previous archbishops of Evora as we walked around the Cloister corridor. In one spot we found 3 decorated sarcophagi. When we went into the small corner room, we found another sarcophagus and wall decorations. It reminded us of sights we found in the Canterbury Cathedral in England.
We followed the signs up another narrow stairway and came out on the roof above the cloister. From this point we got clear views of the Evora Cathedral. And down into the courtyard of the Cloister.
We found the spiral stairs and again descended to the ground level. An interesting addition to our day trip to Evora in Alentejo.
Wandering Inside The Evora Cathedral
After exploring the outer parts of the Evora Cathedral we headed inside. We admired the combination of the gothic and baroque styles we found as we wandered. The main altar drew our eyes first.
As we walked around we took in the different themes of the side altars. The chambers were ornate and varied in design.
We found the ceiling decorated with tiles. And there were more tombs under the floors. Art works and statues were everywhere inside the Evora Cathdral. When we looked up we saw the very rare Iberian organ made of oak. It was the only of its type in Portugal. We understood that it was still played.
There was so much to see when we visited inside the Evora Cathdral. We were glad we started here on our day trip to Evora in Alentejo.
A Stop For Lunch On Our Day Trip To Evora In Alentejo
When we planned our visit to Evora, we had a long list of options for lunch. On our luxury stay in Sintra, our lovely host provided us with her many favourite restaurants in Evora. We navigated to the spot at the top of her list but we found that Tua Madre was closed. On the day we visited, many restaurants were closed. But luckily right beside we found the Tasca Tosca Wine Restaurant and knew we would eat well.
We settled into a table on the cobblestone street and selected a tasty lunch feast. Since we knew we still had hours of walking, in very European style we added a bottle of rosé wine.
We ate slowly and enjoyed the delicious food. It was great to relax for lunch on our day trip to Evora in Alentejo. When we got back up we were energized and continued wandering the city streets.
Heading To The Chapel Of Bones
Our next stop was the Chapel of Bones (or the Capela dos Ossos). We visited bone churches in many different spots in Italy. So we were drawn to visit the one in Evora.
The Chapel was built by Franciscan monks in the 13th century. At the time, the graveyards were so crowded that old graves were exhumed to make way for new bodies. Not wanting to condemn the souls of the people exhumed, the monks chose to build the Chapel and relocate the bones. Over 5,000 corpses decorated the walls of the chapel.
We headed to the Igreja de Sao Francisco. This National Monument was one of the most impressive monuments built in the Gothic and Manueline (Portuguese Gothic) style. We peeked in for a quick look but did not have time to spend more time in the church or the museum.
When we headed inside the door marked for the Chapel of Bones we were in one of the small chapels of the church. A beautiful altar with a stunning gold ceiling was the first thing we saw. And even though it was not the Christmas holiday season, we saw a Nativity scene with intricate detail.
This foyer for the Chapel of Bones was decorated with traditional Portuguese tiles. Some were geometric and other religious in design.
We waited until a group of people exited and went into the Chapel of Bones.
Inside The Capela dos Ossos
We were told that the Chapel of Bones was meant to make visitors meditate about life and death and the undeniable presence of death. This was made clear when we saw the message above the door … “Nós ossos que aqui estamos, pelos vossos esperamos,” or “We bones, are here, waiting for yours.”
We stopped inside the entrance and took in the whole scene. If we did not look closely, the bones and skulls were not immediately obvious. But when we looked close, the macabre design was quite strange.
We saw a small white coffin by the altar. Inside were the bones of the three Franciscan monks who founded the church. On one side we found two mummies. The sign indicated this was a woman and a girl. The woman died between the age of 30 and 50, probably from a tooth infection and the girl was just 2 or 3 years old. We were not sure why these mummies were left here.
On our day trip to Evora in Alentejo the Chapel of Bones was the most unusual thing we saw.
Wandering Around On Our Day Trip To Evora In Alentejo
We wandered from spot to spot on our day trip to Evora in Alentejo. The narrow cobblestone streets provided much to look at. We found local crafts on display. The cork items for sale intrigued us. As we explored the Alentejo region, we found the cork harvesting sights amazing.
We loved to explore the architecture when we wandered in new cities. And we loved the variety we found in the churches and building design in Evora. We were not surprised when we found colourful tile works decorated the buildings in this Portuguese city.
When we literally could not walk anymore, we navigated the twisted path back to our parked car. We were happy we found the car safe and secure. Not so for the man parked on the same street amazed at the damage someone did to his car. A reminder of the challenge with driving inside the gates of the cities in Europe.
A Great Day Trip To Evora In Alentejo Region
We were glad we did a day trip to Evora in Alentejo region of Portugal. It was a full and busy day. But we only got to see some of the main sights. On a return visit to the Alentejo region, we knew that Evora required more time to explore.
Did you enjoy a day trip to Evora in Alentejo or did you stay there and explore at a slower pace? What should be top of our list for a return visit?
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Evora is such a charming place to visit! I love that the Roman temple is still preserved along with the more modern buildings. The Chapel of Bones reminds me of the ossuario in Milan, it’s well known and free to enter. The cathedral towers look like something from a storybook! So cool there were not many people there.
There were so many interesting spots to see on our day trip to Evora. It was great to visit mid-week when it was quieter.
I felt like I was there on the day trip looking at the panorama from the roof terrace of the Evora Cathedral. The chapel of Bones does seem a tad spooky but it does have interesting aspects to it. Thanks for the introduction to the place and I sympathize with your struggles with parking.
We loved the variety in the things we found to see and do in Evora. A great stop in the Alentejo region of Portugal.
Since I adore history, I can’t wait to see Evora! Anyone who comes here is extremely fortunate because they get to witness these magnificent historical locations. It looks wonderful to amble around the Evora Cathedral because of its incredible interior decoration, features, and structures. Although Chapel of the Bones was highly unusual, it was also fascinating. In the near future, I’m looking forward to exploring these sites and taking in their gorgeous architectural designs.
We were fascinated to wander in Evora and see all the historical sites and beautiful spots. Definitely worth a day trip or more.
You had such an exciting trip! I haven’t been to Evora yet, but this capital of Portugal’s south-central Alentejo region is on my bucket list. I would love to take pictures of the ancient Roman Temple of Evora. I like the name of the Temple of Diana. And your photos from this place are fabulous and make me want to pack and go there. Also, the Cathedral of Évora, a massive Gothic structure from the 12th century, is impressive. I would love to wander inside the Evora Cathedral to see its majesty. I would like to see the Chapel of Bones as well.
We were impressed with how much we saw on a day trip to Evora. But we were sure there were lots of other gems to discover on a return visit.
Evora looks like a great destination, especially for history lovers! I had never heard of this place before, it really sounds like a hidden gem filled with culture.
I hope it does get selected as the European City of Culture. But it might ruin its appeal with too many visitors. But we sure enjoyed our day trip to Evora.
Wow! what a charming city Evora is! You said that many of the restaurants were closed when you visited. May I ask what day of the week you were there?
We were in Evora on a Monday so maybe that was the reason. But we were also a bit early in the season.
Wow, I cannot believe I never heard of Evora – It looks amazing, and it seems there is so much to see/do there! Thank you so much for sharing!
We were glad we finally got to Evora on this trip. A lovely spot in the Alentejo region in Portugal.
I can see why they shortened the name of the cathedral – haha! That was really a mouthful! I’d never heard of Evora before, but you certainly chose an awesome place to return to and explore. The Chapel of Bones is certainly interesting and just a big morbid, right?! Did it smell bad? But so amazing they could work the bones into the details of the architecture. I would also love to see the Temple of Diana — it is truly amazing that so many buildings have survived that long! Strolling the cobblestone lanes and shopping and dining would also be favorites for my husband and I! We really need to get to Portugal!
We were amazed at how much history we found as we wandered in Evora. Well worth a long visit. And no – the Chapel of Bones did not smell. They were placed long ago.
Evora looks like a very interesting place to visit. I love to visit old buildings, temples and museums that have a lot of history. I’ve never been to Portugal, but when I do get there I will be adding Evora to my list of places in Portugal to visit.
This was our first visit to the Alentejo region and we were so glad we got to see Evora.
Indeed that Chapel of the Bones is most unimquely unusual. You are right ..it’s à macabre design! Chilling.
This was not the first Chapel of Bones we saw in Europe so we were a bit prepared. But quite fascinating detail.
Evora looks like a great town to explore if you have a free day around Alentejo. You could easily spend a good few hours just exploring the Cathedral – it seems to have so many different area to see. Interesting that the rooftop doesn’t have rail guards… what if there is a windy day and you get too close to the edge? The Chapel of Bones looks very beautiful, definitely very different from other ossuaries I have seen around Europe. It’s also so unique that you can find Portuguese tiles inside the church, I am used to them on the facade of the buildings.
We too were a bit freaked out that there were no rails on the top of the Cathedral. But that did not stop us. Just one of the interesting things we found to do in Evora in Portugal.
The walled city of Evora is mesmerizing with its heritage sites. The views of the ancient aqueducts as you enter the city takes us back in those times when these fantastic architecture was created to transfer water across the city. The Cornithian columns of Templo de Diana speak volumes about the past glory and I’m spellbound by the amazing architecture of the Evora cathedral, its cloisters leading to spiral staircases, around the courtyards. The views of the city from the rooftop is refreshing.Also the different themes of the side altars and the ornate ceilings makes the Evora cathedral a masterpiece. The Jardem de Diana adds to the beauty of the place. And the sight of Chapel of bones is spine chilling and awesome at the same. Good to see you also got to taste some local wine and snacks at Tasca Tosca restaurant. The cork handicrafts were mind-blowing along with the other items and good to know you saw cork harvesting.
We enjoyed so many different sights when we visited Evora. Such an amazing variety to enjoy on a day trip or a longer visit.
Evora has been in my wishlist since forever. I was thinking about the possibility of going to Evora on a day trip from Lisbon but that kinda seemed pointless with the time we had. The Temple of Diana reminds me much of the typical Roman ruins. I’d love to climb atop the cathedral. Thanks for the tip about it being uneven and without guardrails. I’ll be super careful with my kiddo.
A day trip to Evora is a long busy day. Good for a quick overview but I am sure we missed a lot. Definitely a town we would re-visit.
I spent far too little time in Portugal and I knew I had to come back for more. Now, your posts are reminding me of going back asap. Especially this one on Evora shows how much beauty Portugal has is store. The architecture is just amazing – and I see that you guys enjoyed it to the max 😉
We love to find new spots to visit when we return to Portugal. This trip we had a bunch of new discoveries in the Alentejo Region.
Such beautiful history… and what an unique experience to climb across time ROOF! it might be worth the scariness to have those views!
I was not sure what I was in for when we climbed to the roof. But it was sure worth it for the views from the Evora Cathedral.
It’s cool that you were able to explore the Evora Cathedral without the crowd. By the way, your photos are really nice. You definitely got the perfect angles.
The intricate details and the combination of gothic and baroque styles look fascinating. Would love to see that in person.
We loved the variety in the architecture we found as we wandered in Evora. A great reason to explore the Alentejo region in Portugal.
The cathedral is such an unusual and beautiful architecture. Bone churches have always fascinated me, too, even more so when they come with beautiful blue and white Portuguese tiles. Shame I missed out on Evora when I visited the Alentejo region February before last to do the Fisherman’s Trail.
We were glad we finally made it to the Alentejo region of Portugal and got to spend some time in Evora. We hit all the big sites we wanted to on a day trip but one day will visit and just wander more.
Definitely saving this as we plan a visit this year! I’ve been to the vineyards in the area but I wanna see the skull church! Thanks for all other tips. Can’t wait to visit!
We loved that we got the chance to do a day trip to Evora. But you may want a little more time to wander as well.
Your husband and I are pretty similar in our travel photography. I wear my camera around my neck and my cell phone ready too!
We now often have 4 cameras going – one big one for zoom, two cell phones and we just added a GoPro for action stuff. Juggling it all is adding some challenge!
I love all things history. Evora looks like the perfect day trip in the Alentejo region of Portugal. Especially love the cathedral and cloisters.
We were amazed at how much we found to see on our day trip to Evora. Well worth a visit in the Alentegjo region of Portugal.
I have not been to Evora just yet but it is on my bucket list and after reading this post, I definitely need to move the city up the list. The Capela dos Ossos looks so intriguing, I would love to visit. I love places of history so enjoyed reading this post.
You should definitely keep Evora on your travel list. We were sure glad we visited.
Wow! Evora looks absolutely beautiful. Loving all of the architecture shown in your photos! Definitely adding it to my travel bucket list. I’m a sucker for a charming place to visit!
We too are suckers for charming spots to visit. And we sure found it in Evora. Definitely one for a visit to the Alentejo region of Portugal.
Portugal has been on my list. This confirms what I was thinking. The architecture is incredible. Saving this for when I am ready to plan my trip. Thank you!
You will love Portugal when you finally visit. So many great places to visit. This was our first visit to the Alentejo region and we were delighted with stops like Evora.
Wow! What an the Alentejo region looks incredible! The Capela dos Ossos is really quite the site. I really love all of your photos. They really bring your stories to life. I am adding this place to my bucket list. Thank you for sharing!
Glad to bring this great part of Portugal to life for you. A lovely day trip to Evora.
Wow, what an incredible city! I’m always so amazed at the reach of the Roman empire and the Roman ruins in Evora are so well preserved. How cool that the city is not only part of the UNESCO network, but also an upcoming capital of culture. I’ve been to a few cities designated with this title and they never disappoint. Even though you say you only saw the main sights, they were all worth seeing – full of rich culture and history. The chapel of bones was chilling. But, I know what you mean, I wish I could stay every place I visit a little longer. Evora is certainly going on my list of places to visit. Thanks for sharing.
We too are always amazed at how far the Roman Empire went. And great to find ruins like this in great shape. So much to see in this small city. But we know we will be back and explore more.
A very unique place to visit in Portugal with so many layers of history. Love the look of the Roman ruins here!
We were so glad we got to Evora. There was so much more to see than we expected. And Roman ruins too!
We are gathering info for a fall trip to Portugal. This is perfect!
Good to be able to feed into your planning for a visit to Portugal. One of our favourite places to visit.