• Evora - Dominated by a grand cathedral, Évora is spread over a gently rising hill emerging from the vast Alentejo plain. It protects its historic center with a large outer wall and holds a significant cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.

The city, with its narrow Moorish-origin streets contrasting with sunlit squares, boasts two millennia of history. Conquered by the Romans in 59 B.C. and named “Liberalitas Julia,” Évora gained prominence, evidenced by the remains from that era: the ruins of a fine temple from the late second century, parts of the wall, the gateway now called Dona Isabel, and the remains of thermal baths beneath the current Municipal Council building.

Little remains from the Visigoth period (5th - 8th centuries). The Moorish period began with the city’s conquest by Tárique and lasted until the Christian reconquest in the 12th century. Known as Yeborah, the city retained a lasting Moorish influence, especially visible in the Mouraria neighborhood.

After the Reconquest, urban development extended beyond the city’s walls. Évora hosted the court of various Portuguese kings from the first and second dynasties, particularly flourishing during the reigns of João II and Manuel (15th and 16th centuries), who endowed it with numerous palaces and monuments.

Stroll through its streets to absorb the unique soul shaped by diverse cultural influences in this World Heritage city. Enjoy excellent restaurants, bars, esplanades, arts and crafts stores, and the vibrant atmosphere brought by university students, blending the past with the present.

• Templo Romano de Evora (Templo de Diana) - The Roman Temple, over 2000 years old, is Évora’s iconic monument and one of the country’s most important historic ruins.

Built in the first century during Caesar Augustus’s reign, the Roman temple in Évora has witnessed many transformations and uses over the centuries. It was nearly destroyed during the Barbarian invasions in the fifth century and later served as a bank vault and butcher’s shop in the 14th century.

Its original Roman design was restored in the 19th century during one of Portugal’s first archaeological interventions. The temple, part of Évora’s Roman forum and dedicated to the Imperial cult, was long believed to be consecrated to the goddess Diana, hence its name. Recent excavations revealed it was surrounded by a portico and water mirror.

• Igreja de Sao Francisco - The São Francisco Church is one of Portugal’s most beautiful and grandest churches, located in Évora. Built between 1480 and 1510 in Gothic-Manueline style, it was decorated by royal painters Francisco Henriques, Jorge Afonso, and Garcia Fernandes.

The Church of St. Francis is closely linked to Portugal’s history, particularly the maritime expansion era. This connection is evident in the symbols of the magnificent nave with the vault: the cross of the Order of Christ and the emblems of founding kings, King John II and King Manuel I.

• Cathedral of Evora (Se Catedral de Evora) - The Sé! Its silhouette stands out in the urban landscape. Known as Évora Cathedral or Sé Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption, it is the largest medieval cathedral in Portugal, unmatched elsewhere in the country.

The Évora Cathedral “protects” the city from its highest point, alongside other iconic buildings like the Roman Temple of Évora (Temple of Diana), the Évora Museum, and the Eugénio de Almeida Center for Art and Culture.

To reach the cathedral, walk up Rua 5 de Outubro, a great place to buy Alentejo handicrafts. Construction of the Évora Cathedral began in 1186, was consecrated in 1204, and completed in 1250. It is a fascinating and imposing granite monument, marking the transition from Romanesque to Gothic.

Improvements in the 15th and 16th centuries added the high choir, pulpit, baptistery, and the arch of the Chapel of Our Lady of Piety or Chapel of Esporão (1529). This chapel is a unique example of plateresque hybrid architecture.

In the 18th century, the chancel was enriched with Estremoz marbles, blending with the Roman-Gothic lines. The chapel also features a beautiful Crucifix, allegorical statues of St. Peter and St. Paul, and a Renaissance-period pipe organ.

Two medieval towers flank the cathedral’s facade. The south tower is the bell tower, with bells marking the city’s time. The portal is adorned with 14th-century Apostle sculptures by Mestre Pêro.

Outside, the most spectacular element is the lantern cruising tower from D. Dinis’s reign, crowned by a stone scale needle, a hallmark of the monument.

Inside, the grandeur of the Sé de Évora is evident in its three large naves. The central nave houses the altar of Our Lady of the Angel, with baroque carvings and Gothic images of the Virgin Mary and the Angel Gabriel. The central aisle also features the pulpit and a Renaissance pipe organ.

The transept opens to the ancient Chapels of St. Lawrence and the Holy Christ, and the Chapels of the Relics and the Blessed Sacrament, decorated with gilded carvings. The northern top of the transept has the Renaissance portal of the Morgados do Esporão Chapel.

Near the entrance, the left nave opens to the baptistery, enclosed by beautiful Renaissance railings. The 14th-century cloisters feature Evangelist statues in each corner and the founder Bishop D. Pedro’s gothic tomb. The cloister also houses the tombs of late 20th-century Archbishops of Évora.

The Manueline-period choir has a valuable 16th-century oak wood chair with carved Flemish designs depicting mythological, naturalistic, and rural scenes.

The Sé Catedral de Évora includes a Museum of Sacred Art with a valuable collection of parliamentary, painting, sculpture, and jewelry. Notable pieces include a 13th-century Virgin (Our Lady of Paradise), the 14th-century Reliquary Cross of the Holy Wood, the Staff of Cardinal D. Henrique, and the Archbishops Gallery. The museum is housed in the former Colégio dos Moços do Coro da Sé, adjacent to the cathedral.

Some monuments leave you speechless, and the Évora Cathedral is one such monument. This rare gem stands high above the city in all its glory. Don’t miss the chance to visit and climb to the terrace for the best view of Évora.

• Capela dos Ossos - When discussing Évora, many think of the Chapel of Bones. Whether due to its eerie nature or its uniqueness among the city’s monuments, it stands out as particularly fascinating.

The Chapel of Bones, perhaps Évora’s most famous monument, is located at Praça 1º de Maio and is part of the Church of San Francisco. It’s an unmissable experience in Alentejo.

Built in the 17th century by three Franciscan friars, the chapel aims to convey the message of life’s transience and fragility. This message is starkly presented at the entrance with the warning: “We bones that are here, for your waiting.” It reflects the Baroque era’s macabre fascination with death.

Constructed on the site of the friars’ dormitory and reflection room, the chapel consists of three naves measuring about 18.70m in length and 11m in width. Natural light enters through three small cracks on the left, creating a dim atmosphere. Be brave…

The walls and eight pillars of the Chapel of Bones are lined with carefully arranged human bones and skulls, joined by brown cement. The white plastered brick vaults are painted with death-related motifs. The chapel also features religious statues and Renaissance and Baroque paintings.

The arches are adorned with rows of skulls, cornices, and white ships. It’s estimated that around 5000 human skulls and countless bones from the graves of the convent church and other city cemeteries are present.

“We bones that are here, for your hope”
In the 16th century, Évora had about forty-two monastic cemeteries, occupying too much space. The monks solved this by using the bones to build and decorate the chapel.

The Chapel of Bones is a monument of penitential architecture, dedicated to the Lord of the Steps, known as Lord Jesus of the House of Bones. This image vividly represents Christ’s suffering on the way to Calvary.

Learn more about our guided tour in Évora and discover the Chapel of Bones with our local guide.

Yes, a chapel full of bones can be sinister, but visiting Évora without seeing the Chapel of Bones makes no sense. This unique experience is worth sharing. We await your visit!

• Tapetes de Arraiolos - Centro Interpretativo - The “Arraiolos Rug,” originating from the village of Arraiolos, holds significant cultural and socio-economic value.

Manufactured in Arraiolos since before the 15th century, these true works of art have a long tradition. The oldest reference to Arraiolos Rugs dates back to 1598, as noted in the Municipal Inventory by Dr. Jorge Fonseca.

Archaeological excavations in Praça do Meguesio in the early 21st century suggest that carpet production in Arraiolos began before the 15th century.

The Municipality of Arraiolos is committed to preserving, safeguarding, certifying, and promoting this craft. The Interpretive Center of the Tapete de Arraiolos is part of this effort, along with the certification process for the Arraiolos Rug, as approved by the Assembly of the Republic.

• Arraiolos Castle - Arraiolos Castle is considered one of the most beautiful and emblematic castles in the world by Port.com magazine.

Arraiolos takes pride in this heritage, which once defended its territory and now serves as a major tourist attraction.

Among the many fortifications built in Portugal from the Middle Ages, the magazine selected 12 castles as the most beautiful and emblematic, including Arraiolos Castle.

Built in 1305, Arraiolos Castle is one of the few with circular architecture. While the interior building has deteriorated over time, the ellipsoidal walls and vast lawn are well-preserved. Located atop São Pedro hill, it offers a 360-degree view of the Alentejo plain.

• Igreja da Misericordia - Belonging to the Brotherhood of the Holy House of Mercy of Arraiolos, established in 1524, this Baroque-style temple was founded at the end of the 16th century.

Located in the village’s historical center, it features an interesting set of 18th-century tile panels lining its walls.

Construction era: 16th century

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
• Private tour
• Driver/escort
• Transport by private vehicle

• Food and drinks
• Lunch
• Gratuities