15 Best Things to Do in Évora: History, Food & Wine

1. Explore the Roman Temple of Évora

Most people who visit Portugal don’t realize how old Évora actually is. To get a better idea, you have to visit the Roman Temple in the city. 

This granite and marble temple was built in the 1st century A.D. and is believed to have been dedicated to the imperial cult of Emperor Augustus. Although it is no longer in its original shape, it is exceptionally well preserved.

Évora and the Alentejo region played a key role in the development of the Roman Empire in the Iberian Peninsula. Thanks to the rich soil and its strategic location, Évora was the most important city in Portugal during Roman times.

The temple is also known as the Temple of Diana, and it is probably the most famous example of Roman architecture in the country. It is classified as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Évora.

The temple is located in a public square, so you can visit it at any time without purchasing a ticket. It is a quick stop, but absolutely a must-visit in Évora.

Fun fact: The temple was supposed to be demolished during the Christian era, but because it was converted into a butcher shop, it escaped demolition.

2. Find the viewpoint of Jardim Diana

Right in front of the iconic Roman Temple of Évora lies Jardim Diana, a small green space where locals come to relax. From the garden, you get a privileged view of the temple, which is a great photo spot.

At the edge of the garden, you’ll find a viewpoint overlooking Évora’s rooftops and the picturesque landscapes of Alentejo. The garden is also home to the fountain Fonte “O Beijo”, a sculpture by João Cutileiro depicting two lovers locked in a kiss.

3. Visit the Cathedral of Évora

Like all major Portuguese cities, Évora has a cathedral with almost a thousand years of history. The Évora Cathedral holds the record for being the largest medieval cathedral in Portugal.

This iconic church is a symbol of the city and one of the most important and visited churches in the country. Built entirely from granite, its architecture reflects the transition from the Romanesque to the Gothic style, with Manueline elements.

If you’ve visited the Lisbon Cathedral before, you might notice a few similarities. Both cathedrals share Romanesque features and a fortress-like appearance that was typical of Portuguese medieval architecture.

One of my favorite parts of visiting Évora Cathedral was climbing up to the rooftop, where you can enjoy an amazing view of the impressive dome and the city itself. If you’re interested in religious relics, don’t miss the cathedral museum. 

🎟 5 euros (includes the church, cloister, rooftop and museum)

4. Visit the University of Évora

While the University of Coimbra often steals the spotlight as Portugal’s most famous university, the University of Évora is a hidden gem that many visitors overlook. 

Founded in 1559 by Cardinal Henrique, it became one of the finest examples of Renaissance architecture in the country. The university was closed in 1779 and remained inactive for almost 200 years before reopening in 1973. 

Today, it is once again a thriving university, but visitors are welcome to explore parts of the historic complex, including the beautiful cloister and several classrooms.

One of the highlights is the collection of azulejos decorating the classrooms. Each room features different tile panels, many illustrating religious, scientific, or historical themes. But depending on the timing, some rooms might be closed.

The elegant cloister, inspired by the Italian Renaissance, is the heart of the university and the place where graduation ceremonies still take place today. This is probably my favorite part of the university.

Make sure to visit the library on the upper floor, hidden away among classrooms and offices. Inside, you’ll find centuries-old books and manuscripts, crafted wooden furniture, and a beautifully painted ceiling.

🎟 3 euros (free for students)

5. Discover the Chapel of Bones

Visiting Évora can surprise you on many different levels, and the Chapel of Bones is definitely one of the biggest surprises. Located in the heart of the old town, this incredible chapel is decorated with thousands of human bones and skulls.

The Chapel of Bones was built in the 17th century by Franciscan monks as a place of worship and reflection on the fleeting nature of life. 

The walls are covered with thousands of human bones and skulls, believed to have been taken from several local cemeteries, including burial grounds once used by the convent.

The ticket also includes access to the museum areas, including the Chapter Room and Évora Nativity Scene, the Museum Centre of Sacred Art, the Royal Tribune Room, the Galilee Terrace, and the Canha da Silva Nativity Scene Collection.

Despite its incredible artistic and historical relevance, I find the whole chapel a bit “creepy”. At the same time, it is one of the most unique places in Portugal, and you simply can’t miss it when visiting Évora.

🎟 7 euros

6. Admire the churches of Évora

The religious heritage of Évora doesn’t end with its cathedral or the Chapel of Bones. The city is home to several beautiful churches, each with its own architectural style and history.

Igreja da Misericórdia is probably one of my favorites. From the outside, it has a simple whitewashed façade, but once you step inside, you’ll find beautiful azulejos covering the walls. Admission costs 3 euros and includes access to a small museum.

Another church worth visiting is Igreja de São João Evangelista. Located next to the Roman Temple, it hides a beautiful interior behind its plain white façade. 

It is usually visited together with Cadaval Palace, which hosts temporary art exhibitions, and both can be visited with a combined ticket costing 8 euros.

If your time in Évora is limited, I recommend choosing either Igreja da Misericórdia or Igreja de São João Evangelista. Before visiting, check the exhibition program at Cadaval Palace to help you decide which one best suits your interests.

Another church worth seeing is Igreja da Graça e Antigo Convento dos Agostinhos in the heart of the old town. Unlike the other two churches, it stands out for its impressive Renaissance façade.

Also, don’t miss Igreja e Mosteiro de São Francisco when visiting the Chapel of Bones. It is simple, but free and can be easily combined.

7. Wander around Praça do Giraldo

Praça do Giraldo is the beating heart of the city and the largest, and probably the most charming, square in Évora. While normally large squares of European cities are filled with tourists, this one has a surprisingly local feel.

The Church of Santo Antão dominates the square. Right in front of it, you’ll find the beautiful Giraldo Square Fountain. The surrounding architecture is quintessentially Alentejan, with whitewashed façades and yellow trim.

All around the square, you find cozy cafes that invite you to sit in for a drink. When it’s too hot, the ancient Porticoes on the side of the square offer you shelter from the heat and host some of the oldest shops, boutiques, and cafes in Évora.

8. Stroll along Rua Cinco de Outubro

Exploring the historic centre on foot is one of the best ways to experience Évora, as its narrow streets are full of charm and character. 

A great place to start is Rua Cinco de Outubro, a pleasant pedestrian street that connects Praça do Giraldo with the city’s cathedral. The street is lined with small shops and boutiques where you can pick up a souvenir to take home from Évora. 

Crossing Rua Cinco de Outubro, you’ll come across two popular streets, Alcarcova de Baixo and Alcarcova de Cima, both home to plenty of bars and restaurants. 

Just a few steps from Alcarcova de Cima, you’ll also find Livraria Fonte de Letras, a charming bookstore in Évora.

9. Explore Évora’s Jewish Quarter

If you want to escape the busiest streets of Évora for a while, head to the former Jewish Quarter. Its quiet alleys and centuries of history make it one of the most interesting neighborhoods to explore in the city.

As you leave Praça do Giraldo and head down Rua dos Mercadores, you’ll discover a quieter and more intimate side of the city that is often overlooked by day trippers.

At the end of Rua dos Mercadores, you’ll reach the small square of the same name, which was once the heart of the neighborhood. From there, the surrounding area turns into a maze of narrow streets lined with charming whitewashed houses.

10. Relax in Jardim Público de Évora

When it comes to green spaces, Évora has a few small gardens scattered throughout the city, but my favorite is definitely Jardim Público de Évora. 

Located inside the fortified walls, this peaceful garden offers shelter from the Alentejo sun during summer and beautiful colors in autumn and spring.

The garden is not only known for its vegetation but also for its architecture, especially the Palácio de Dom Manuel, one of Évora’s most recognizable landmarks.

Behind the palace, after passing through the white porticoes, you will find the so-called fake ruins of a Portuguese palace. 

These were created using architectural elements from other monuments around the city, mostly remains of twin windows in Manueline and Mudéjar styles.

11. Walk along the Água de Prata Aqueduct

Walk through Évora long enough, and you’ll spot one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks: a line of stone arches quietly running through the historic center. 

This is the Água de Prata Aqueduct, which has been classified as a Portuguese National Monument since 1910.

The Renaissance-style granite arches and water channels were most likely built over the remains of an older Roman aqueduct. Completed in 1537, the inauguration was marked by a grand ceremony attended by the king and his court in Praça do Giraldo.

The aqueduct also contributed to the unique character of Évora’s historic center beyond its original purpose. Until 1873, a beautiful Renaissance structure known as Fecho Real do Aqueduto stood near São Francisco Church.

Another unusual feature can still be seen today: the “casas encastradas” (built-in houses), which are homes constructed directly into the arches of the aqueduct. They are one of the most distinctive sights in Évora.

12. Try Pão de Rala at Pastelaria Conventual Pão de Rala

Finding local institutions has been a hobby of mine in every town I visit in Portugal. Restaurants and small cafés are such an important part of Portuguese life, and in Évora, that means Pastelaria Conventual Pão de Rala.

It’s probably one of the best places in town to try traditional convent sweets. These treats are beloved throughout the country, with each convent creating its own specialties, usually based on generous amounts of eggs and sugar. 

Some of Portugal’s most famous desserts have their origins in this tradition, including the Pastel de Nata, which was created by the monks at the Monastery of Jerónimos in Belem, Lisbon.

At Pão de Rala, they have been baking these specialties for decades, and it remains a place where locals come for a sweet treat or a quiet coffee. There’s a cozy terrace outside, but don’t skip going inside. The azulejo tile panel is worth seeing on its own.

13. Taste Traditional Alentejo Cuisine in Évora

Portuguese cuisine ranks among the most loved in the world, and Alentejo is home to some incredible Portuguese specialties, especially when it comes to meat, cheese, and wine. 

What makes Alentejo food special is not only the dishes themselves, but also the quality of the ingredients. The region’s vast landscapes and local farming traditions result in exceptional produce.

The famous “black pig” (porco preto) is at the center of much of the local food culture, providing everything from meat specialties to cold cuts, especially the famous “presunto” (cured ham). Alentejo is also known throughout Portugal for the quality of its lamb.

Another product you must try is the olive oil. Alentejo is also known for its sheep and goat cheeses, best enjoyed with a glass of local wine.

Thanks to the region’s hot, dry climate, Alentejo wines are often richer and fuller-bodied than those from cooler parts of Portugal. I find them closer in style to Spanish wines than to many Portuguese ones.

Here are my restaurant recommendations for Évora:

• Taberna Típica Quarta-feira
• Botequim da Mouraria
• Dom Joaquim
• Cozinha da Catarina
• Restaurante ¼ Para as 9
• Fialho

14. Visit the Cartuxa Winery

After introducing you to the wines of Alentejo, it’s only fair to recommend a place to try them. The most obvious choice is Adega Cartuxa, a true institution in Évora and one of Portugal’s most respected wine producers.

Over the years, it has also become a popular stop for tourists, offering a variety of wine tastings and guided experiences. If you don’t have time to visit the winery itself, Cartuxa also has a restaurant in Évora’s historic center.

However, if you’re like me, you might prefer visiting a smaller, less touristy producer. While my favorite winery, Dona Dorinda, is temporarily not offering visits, there are plenty of other excellent options around Évora, including Quinta de São José de Peramanca.

15. Take a trip to the Almendres Cromlech

Just outside Évora, the Alentejo countryside hides one of Europe’s most remarkable prehistoric sites. 

About 13 kilometers west of the city, the Almendres Cromlech is a circle of granite monoliths rising from open fields. It is older than Stonehenge and considered one of the finest examples of Neolithic megalithic monuments on the Iberian Peninsula.

Nearly a hundred stones make up the site, some carved with faint symbols and geometric patterns whose meaning has been lost to time. 

The monument was built gradually over thousands of years, and its layout is believed to align with the movements of the sun and moon, reflecting how closely early communities observed the skies.

After a morning spent exploring Évora’s churches and museums, it offers a completely different experience.