Discover
Évora
Travel 2,000 years back in time to the heart of the Alentejo. A UNESCO World Heritage city where Roman ruins stand beside medieval churches — and mysterious stone circles predate Stonehenge. The Portugal most tourists never see.
2,000 Years of
History
Évora is Portugal's greatest hidden secret — a UNESCO-listed city of 55,000 people that somehow contains a Roman temple, a Gothic cathedral, an ossuary chapel and some of Europe's oldest prehistoric megaliths, all within walking distance of each other. An extraordinary place, and barely an hour and a half from Lisbon.
Your guide Nikolai — licensed under RNAAT n° 512/2025 — brings every layer of this history to life. The stories of the Roman occupation, the Moorish legacy, the medieval university, and the silence of the Alentejo plains. A day that stays with you long after you return.
Your Day
in Évora
Roman Temple of Évora
Standing in the very centre of the city, the Temple of Diana is one of the best-preserved Roman structures on the entire Iberian Peninsula. Built in the 1st century AD — likely dedicated to the Imperial cult rather than Diana, despite the popular name — its fourteen Corinthian columns of local granite have survived two millennia of earthquakes, invasions and revolutions. In the Middle Ages it was used as a slaughterhouse, which is precisely what preserved it. Your guide tells the full story.
Chapel of Bones — Capela dos Ossos
Few places in the world stop visitors in their tracks the way this chapel does. Built by Franciscan monks in the 16th century, the walls, columns and ceiling are entirely lined with the exhumed bones and skulls of approximately 5,000 monks — arranged with extraordinary care as a meditation on mortality and the transience of earthly life. Above the entrance an inscription reads: "We bones that are here, for yours we wait." Unsettling, beautiful and utterly unforgettable.
Évora Cathedral & Historic Centre
The Sé de Évora — begun in 1186 — is the largest medieval cathedral in Portugal, a fortress-like Romanesque and Gothic structure whose towers have watched over the city for eight centuries. Climb to the rooftop terrace for panoramic views across the Alentejo plains. Then wander the lanes of the historic centre with your guide: the Praça do Giraldo, the old university, the Palace of Dom Manuel, and the quiet squares that have barely changed in 500 years. The perfect place for a long Alentejo lunch.
Almendres Cromlech — Portugal's Stonehenge
Drive out into the rolling cork oak landscape of the Alentejo — a landscape of silver light and vast silence — to reach one of Europe's most remarkable and least-visited prehistoric monuments. The Almendres Cromlech is a megalithic stone circle of 95 granite monoliths arranged in two concentric ovals, dating back to approximately 6,000 BC. It is older than Stonehenge, larger than most stone circles in Britain, and almost completely unknown to international visitors. Standing among these ancient stones in the Alentejo silence is an experience unlike any other.
The Alentejo is one of Portugal's most celebrated wine regions — rich, full-bodied reds and fresh whites from estates that have been producing wine since Roman times. We can arrange an optional stop at a local winery for a guided tasting. Just let us know when booking.
- ✦ Private guided tasting at a local quinta
- ✦ 2–3 wines: red, white & regional varieties
- ✦ Additional fee applies — ask us for details
What's
Included
Included
- ✓ Private air-conditioned vehicle
- ✓ Licensed guide Nikolai
- ✓ Door-to-door pickup & drop-off
- ✓ Fuel, tolls & all parking
- ✓ Full travel insurance
- ✓ Bottled water
Not Included
- ✗ Chapel of Bones entry (~€6)
- ✗ Cathedral rooftop (~€4)
- ✗ Meals & drinks
- ✗ Wine tasting (optional extra)
- ✗ Tips (never expected)
Frequently
Asked
Without question. Évora is one of Portugal's most extraordinary and underrated cities. The density of historical and archaeological sites within walking distance of each other is remarkable — and because it receives far fewer visitors than Lisbon, Sintra or Porto, you experience it without the crowds. Many guests tell us it was the highlight of their entire trip to Portugal.
Yes — the Alentejo is one of Portugal's finest wine regions and a tasting stop at a local quinta is a wonderful addition to the day. Just let us know when booking and we will arrange it. An additional fee applies depending on the winery.
Yes. We recommend a lunch stop in Évora's old town, where traditional Alentejo cuisine — slow-cooked lamb, migas, açorda and local wines — can be enjoyed at a fraction of Lisbon prices. Your guide knows the best local restaurants.
The chapel is unusual but not frightening — the bones are arranged decoratively rather than gruesomely. Most children find it fascinating. We leave the decision to parents, and can skip this stop if preferred.
Cash on the day or bank transfer in advance. No deposit required for most bookings. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour starts.
Book Your Évora
Day Trip
Confirmation within 24 hours · Free cancellation · No deposit required
