Evora

Likes & Dislikes

Likes

Evora - San Francisco Church - Krista photo

Evora - Krista photo

1. Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Graca (Church of Our Lady of Remedies ) from the outside

2. Splendid Old Town with narrow streets, some big squares, great food

3. Chapel of Bones (Capela de Ossos) is gruesome, but at least an exciting, thrilling experience - don't miss it

4. The funny owner of the Taberna Quarta-Feira, a restaurant without a menu - you get what they cook on the day

5. Évora is in the Alentejo region, which is called the Garden of Portugal, for good reason

6. To spend a night in the Pousada of Evora, originally a 15th-century convent.

7. Get my daily portion of pastel de nata in Pastelaria Conventual, a popular pastry shop in Évora

8.The scenic road from Evora to the village of Marvao

9. Bistro Barao Restaurante e Tapas - family atmosphere

Dislikes

1. Parking inside the Walls is almost imposiible
2. Some touristy cafes in the city center charge 2 or 3 times more than others in the region
3. The restoration of the San Fracisco was a failure - lost its original charm
4. The polluted air caused by heavy car traffic and the garbage piles in the streets spoil the image of Evora - what a shame
5. The Chapel of Bones is a must-see but we were not so much impressed

6. Some touristy restaurants are of medium quality

Opinions

Evora - Krista photo

Evora - evening in the main square - Krista photo

Evora - Krista photo

Practicals

Accomodation

Suggested hotels:

M’AR De AR Muralhas (big advantage is its pool)

Food

Evora - the locally famous Pasteleria Conventual Pao de Rala (R. de Cicioso 47) - Krista photo

Evora - Pasteleria Conventual Pao de Rala - Krista photo

Shopping

Suggested souvenir shop: Gente da Minha Terra (Rua Cinco de Outubro 39) - Made in Portugal only

Fun

Evora in the evening - Krista photo

Background

Evora - Krista photo

Destination in brief

Evora poronounced: Ehvvv ora

Population (in 2020): 57,500

Climate

Optimal time for a visit: spring. Summer can be too hot.

History

In ancient Rome, the city was called "Liberalitas Julia" after Caesar granted it special privileges. Since that ancient times, old houses and walls, as well as a beautiful temple of the huntress goddess Diana have been preserved in an almost perfect condition in one part of the city.

During the barbarian invasion, Evora was under the yoke of the Visigoths. In 715, it was captured by the Muslims. A very colorful Moorish quarter is reminiscent of that period. Four hundred fifty years later, in 1166, the liberator Geraldo the Fearless was sent to the city by the first Portuguese king. Evora flourished, becoming one of the most developing cities in the Kingdom of Portugal. For a long time, the city was a royal residence, where many weddings took place, and many important decisions were made. The city also boasts a university (founded in 1551), where many famous European masters studied, such as Clenardo and Molina.