Evora - UNESCO World Heritage in the Alentejo
First stop of our Enjoy a journey along the fishing path through the Alentejo is the city of Evora. It is the largest place we get to know along our route. It is also one of the oldest places we visit on this trip. Evora was settled long before the Romans.
From the airport to Lisbon we need about an hour and a half by car to reach the city. If you want to stay in the capital for a few days before your trip to the Alentejo, you can stay inexpensively in these Lisbon hostels stay.
However, once we arrive, we continue straight from the airport. Evora, with its historic buildings, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We arrive just in time to see them in the light of the setting sun. The path to the cathedral leads us through the narrow Rua Cinco de Octubro. Pottery is sold in the souvenir shops. There are also the blue azulejos that are so typical of Portugal. However, we resist the colorful offer. Instead we rush towards the two church towers. These glow golden in the evening light. The Cathedral is one of the most important Gothic buildings in Portugal. Twelve apostles stand guard at the entrance to the church. However, there is not enough time for a visit.
The Roman temple of Evora
Instead, the dwindling evening light continues to drive us to the square, which immediately adjoins the cathedral. There is the Roman temple from the first century. This was created as a tribute to Emperor Augustus. We are lucky and can photograph the temple in the light of the setting sun. From the Mirador de Jardim Diana we watch as the sun illuminates the medieval palaces with the last light of the day. From the viewing terrace, we also have a view of the city below us.
The Giraldo Square
As soon as the last rays of sunshine on the facades disappear, we turn back to the city. Therefore, we leisurely stroll back to Giraldo Square, The town square of Evora is surrounded by magnificent buildings from the 16. to 18. Century. Wrought iron balconies and azulejos give them a magnificent look. This fits the square with its cobblestones. His paving stones look like polished. On it restaurants set up tables. In the summer, these are sure to attract guests until late at night. In January, it is the passersby at temperatures around ten degrees but too cool. We prefer to enjoy the coffee in the restaurant.
Dinner at the Café Alentejo
Only steps from the Giraldo Square away is the Café Alentejo. There we are already expected. Here we try for the first time fish specialties from the Alentejo. Hai soup is on the menu. One of the typical fish dishes of Portugal, Then we will taste different meat dishes from the Alentejo.
But above all, we get to know the hospitality of the Portuguese for the first time. There is also a Vino Tinto from the region. We drink a red wine from Paulo Laureano, made from Trincadeira, Aragonez and Alicante Bouschet grapes.
A curiosity: the Capela dos Ossos
Before the journey continues the next morning, there is still time to visit the Capela dos Ossos, the chapel of the bones. It is located in a side wing of the Igreja de São Francisco church. The chapel owes its name to the bones with which it is decorated. The chapel dates from the 16th century and dates back to the Counter-Reformation. The Franciscans wanted to encourage their fellow believers to reflect. The chapel was also intended to commemorate the transience of life. This is also the saying above the entrance: "Nós ossos que aqui estamos pelos vossos esperamos“- We bones here are waiting for yours. Macabre? Definitely, but the chapel also encourages thinking.
A Suggested route for a week through Portugal has Julianna Barnaby.
Discover the Alentejo here:
- The Rota Vicentina hiking on the fishing path Portugal
- Discover the Beaches in the Alentejo
- Explore the fishing route, the Rota do Peixe, on a road trip
- Try the regional Alentejo cuisine with fish, shrimp and cilantro
- Rota do Peixe
- Campsites in Portugal
Travel Arrangements:
Check in:
Arrival by plane, bus or train*. The nearest airport is Lisbon (130 km). You can also rent a car there.
Car Rentals:
Accommodation near Evora
Hotels and accommodations in Évora and surroundings * You can also book via booking.com. We have however in the Vitoria Stone Hotel * spent the night.
Excursions
Book here Trips to and in Evora *
Do you already know:
- UNESCO World Heritage in Mechelen
- Sankt Nikolai Church in Stralsund
- Easter holidays
- National Gallery of Art in Ottawa
- Which rain jacket is the best?
- Buying a hiking backpack – you should know that beforehand
Find more Slow Travel Tips can be found here. Cities in Portugal you discover here.
Source: own research on site. We were invited to this trip by Aptece, Visit Alentejo and the Rota do Peixe. Our opinion, however, remains our own.
Text: © Copyright Monika Fuchs, TravelWorldOnline
Photos: © Copyright Monika Fuchs, TravelWorldOnline
Again wonderful. We count the days to Portugal. We still have to wait for 6 weeks. How was the weather from the temperatures?
Hi Lisa,
most days, the temperatures (in January) were between 10 and 15 degrees. On a runaway day, they dropped to 7 degrees. For that we had sunshine on the whole trip.
Best regards,
Monika
Hello you two,
WOW! I would visit the city alone for the Roman temple and the "Bone Church"! Thank you for introducing me, thinking about traveling to Portugal this summer and already know what I definitely want to visit :)
Greetings from Holland!
Hello Franzi,
Evora has more to offer: D A city that is a World Heritage Site, good food, very hospitable people. We felt very comfortable there.
Best regards,
Monika
Hello you two,
You read and see how much joy you had on your trip to Portugal.
So I know now, Portugal can also be a winter destination :-)
Best regards,
Katja
Hello dear Katja,
yes, Portugal - or rather the Alentejo - has thrilled us. A region exactly to our taste ... in the truest sense of the word: D.
Best regards,
Monika
Hello you two,
what a nice overview I now have about Portugal. Great pictures and a great city, because it will probably have us once lost.
Regards
Victoria
Hello Victoria,
the Alentejo is really worth a trip for those who like an authentic country with hospitable people.
Best regards,
Monika and Petar
Hello you two - Portugal is already one of the dream destinations and you make with your great report again feel like more.
Hello Anke,
and when does the trip go to Portugal?
Best regards,
Monika
Hey you two,
Evora makes a delightful impression, how nice that you could take the evening sun with you. The chapel of the bones, I think, would not be for me, even if it really makes you think ...
Best regards,
Nicole from the travel blog PASSENGER X
Dear Nicole,
Evora is a nice place, that's right. I also think we were lucky to see him in the evening light - the perfect time for it. The Chapel of the Bones is certainly not for everyone, but it came into being at a time when people were thinking very differently about things like this.
Best regards,
Monika
Hi monika,
that's a nice spot! And I think I have just decided to spend a holiday in Portugal. It is very nice. Your pictures and your text are wonderfully chosen. Thanks for my new trip!
Best regards,
Alex.
Hi Alex,
I am happy if I could convince you of a new destination. The Alentejo also liked us very much.
Best regards,
Monika
Evora? Never heard of the place. He reminds me of the pictures a bit of Valencia and the food looks really delicious.
That did not change, Anja. We also heard about Evora just before this trip. But the place is worth a visit. It offers a lot of sights and is also the perfect starting point for a trip through the Alentejo.
Best regards,
Monika
A wonderful report! A very exciting city that I've never heard of before ... and the Bone Chapel, you can only see that in fantasy films. I am really looking forward to October, then we are going to Portugal.
Kind regards
Sabine
Thank you, dear Sabine. Portugal - or better the Alentejo - we really liked it. Where is your journey going?
Best regards,
Monika
Have never heard of this place, but looks quite interesting - especially the Roman temple I like and the chapel of the bones sounds also interesting. Thank you for the exciting article!
Dear Michaela,
The Chapel of Bones is a strange place. Somehow a tribute to the dead, but also a place that makes you think.
Best regards,
Monika
I have never heard of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. I could like the place. Especially culinary you have convinced me immediately. The video rounds off your article again perfectly. Really nice.
Thank you, dear Daniela.
Evora also surprised us. We had never heard of this place before our trip. When we were there, it was like so often: we had too little time, because he offers a lot more, what we would like to have looked at. But at least the highlights we could look at in the shortness of time.
I am especially pleased that you like Petar's video so much. I also think that it summarizes our trip well.
Best regards,
Monika