I made this trip on April 11th, 2024, from Lisbon. Before visiting Évora, I had no idea or plan of what to see or do. I had some work in Évora, so I went there, but in the meantime, I visited almost all of the main tourist spots. Why not? Évora is a small city, and it’s possible to cover everything in a day. So today, I’ll share my journey to Évora, which can help you plan your trip there.
How to Reach Évora?
From Lisbon to Évora, it’s about 2 hour by bus. There are two bus services available: Rede Expressos and Flixbus. Ticket prices are similar, and you can check them on their websites. I chose Rede Expressos for my journey, and it was just €3.95 for a one-way trip from Lisbon to Évora. The return price was the same. Normally, the price is a little higher, but I got this price due to a discount. You can get a similar price if you book your ticket online and at least one week before your trip.
Keep in mind, I chose the cheaper option when searching on their website. You cannot choose your seat, and you’ll most likely end up near the back of the bus. So, if you want to pay this price, you have to consider this. But normally, ticket prices are not that expensive if you buy them early.
About Évora
Évora is located in the Alentejo region of Portugal. It’s the capital city of Alentejo. Évora is one of the oldest historical cities in Portugal and is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site. Alentejo is an agricultural region, and Évora is surrounded by olive groves, vineyards, and fields with cows. Évora is known to be the hottest city in Portugal, with summer temperatures that can reach over 40°C. However, winters are neither too cold nor too warm, making Évora a great place to visit year-round.
What to See in Évora
Chapel of Bones
I arrived in Évora early in the morning, around 10 AM. I started my journey at the most famous spot in Évora, the Chapel of Bones, which contains over 5,000 bodies that were exhumed from the city’s graves. The bones are stacked in the walls, and the chapel also displays the mummified bodies of a woman and a child. Tickets are just €6 per person, and you can buy your ticket at the gate. After this visit, I explored the nearby Igreja de São Francisco church. I walked here from the bus station so that I could see more of Évora on foot. If you prefer not to walk, you can call an Uber or Bolt, which are available and not very expensive.
Jardim Público (Évora Public Garden)
This garden is just beside the Chapel of Bones museum. You can visit it either right after the chapel or later, as I did, in the afternoon. The garden features a café where you can grab snacks or enjoy a coffee while admiring one of the lakes with ducks and peacocks. There are also fragments of old medieval-style arches, likely remnants from an ancient time. The garden is big enough to roam around, with several different attractions.
Praça do Giraldo
Next, using Google Maps, I made my way to Praça do Giraldo, the city center of Évora. This area is surrounded by other tourist spots and has a charming, old-world atmosphere with beautiful architecture. It’s filled with locals and tourists alike. There are a few restaurants and bars where you can have lunch. From Praça do Giraldo, you can walk to other nearby places of interest. Don’t forget to explore Rua João de Deus, a popular shopping street next to Praça do Giraldo, where you can buy souvenirs, postcards, and local alcohol.
Cathedral of Évora
The Cathedral of Évora is the largest cathedral in Portugal, and you can’t miss it, especially the view from the top. First, climb the narrow circular stairs to the roof, where you’ll get a beautiful view of Évora. The inside of the church is equally stunning, with Gothic columns, golden chapels, and an amazing ceiling. The rich gold ornamentation throughout the church is breathtaking. For €4, you can visit the tower, cloisters, and cathedral—it’s a great deal. For just €1 more, you can also visit the museum next to the church.
Templo Romano de Évora (Temple of Diana)
You’ll also come across the Roman forum in Évora, just a few minutes’ walk from the cathedral. This site has free access and is part of the historic center of the city, which has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Jardim Diana (Diana Garden)
This garden is located right beside the Temple of Diana. It’s a peaceful and beautiful space filled with flowers. I spent an hour sitting here, watching the temple in front of me with a view of the garden. There is also a viewpoint offering an incredible view of the northern side of Évora. Additionally, there’s a traditional kiosk where you can grab snacks or a beer and relax.