'''Evora''' is a city and a municipality in the district of Evora, in the Alentejo region of South Portugal.It is an historic/momumental city. thumb|The Cathedral
Get in
You can get to Evora in several ways:
By bus [http://www.rede-expressos.pt/] or [http://www.eva-bus.net/home.php?lang=UK], (from Lisbon the ticket is about 10 euros)
By Intercity train from Lisbon (ticket currently 10 euros in touristic class) [http://www.cp.pt]
By car (distance: 140 Km, from Lisbon take the A2 by either bridge, then A6, then N114 to Evora; tolls)
[http://ttaxi.pt Airport Transfers Faro and Lisbon]
Get around
One of the nicer ways to see the city is by horse carriage ride. You can find them near the Cathedral.
Otherwise there's no real problem in walking between most of the main sights.
See
There are some '''Roman ruins''' you definitely need to check out, there is also the '''Capela dos Ossos''' (Bone Chapel), which is totally ornamented with real human bones, creepy, ''kitsch'', but a must see. Contrarily to what sometimes is said, it is not unique.
The '''old aqueduct''' with houses built into the arches is interesting. It is completely dissimilar from the superbly structured one at Elvas, except that both seem far too much work for the trickle of water they carried.
You must visit the '''Almendres Cromlech''' megalithic complex, an important megalithic monument in the Iberian Peninsula. It is the largest existing group of structured menhirs in the Iberian Peninsula, and one of the largest in Europe. It_Ls situated about 10 km from Evora, going by Guadalupe. Continuing this trip, near Valverde, the '''Anta do Zambujeiro dolmen''', also very unusual by its size.
In less than an hour you can get by car to '''Monsaraz''' (exit via IP2 to Beja, then turn to Reguengos), a nice, well preserved walled town on top of a hill overlooking the Alqueva Dam waters. There's plenty where to sleep (cheap Bed and Breakfast and ''Turismo de Habitacao'', and an Inn) and where to eat. Around it are a couple important ''menhirs'', one of them with engravings (''Balhoa'') and the other about 5 m high, and a ''anta'' (''passage dolmen''). The Xares cromlech is a conjectural reconstruction, and was removed from its original place due to the Alqueva waters.
Do
There is a nice and big park (Jardim Publico) where you can have a nice stroll.
Show yourself and see others at the Praca do Giraldo, the city's social center
'''Roman ruins''' - Templo de Diana
Evora Cathedral and Cloisters
Historic Centre of Evora - UNESCO World Heritage [http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/361].
Evora University [http://www.uevora.pt] main building (on a ancient Convent, founded in 1559)
Do eat and drink.
Buy
Evora, a university town, is expensive. There's nothing typically local for you to buy there, and most certainly there are no bargains.
Eat
There are several traditional dishes:
Acorda
Migas com carne de porco
Carne de porco a alentejana
There are also several traditional desserts, all from conventual origin:
Sericaia
Bolo podre
Pao de Rala
Drink
Drink and carry plenty of water especially in the hotter months (July and August, eventually September). Especially in August, you will be advised not to go out in the sun between 2 pm and 4 pm, unless you are used to it.
Remember that just going in for a drink is a perfectly acceptable way of getting in to see the public areas of a Pousada.
Alentejo wines are some of the best-loved in Portugal, and there's a variety of them. Some can be quite expensive.
Sleep
Pousada de Evora - Loios, Historic Luxury Hotel. argo Conde Vila-Flor
7000-804 Evora" directions="" phone="+351-266 730 070" email="recepcao.loios@pousadas.pt" fax="+351-266 707 248" url="http://www.pousadas.pt/historicalhotels/EN/pousadas/Portugal/Alentejo/Loios/home/" checkin="" checkout="" price=""></sleep>
This luxury hotel is located in the heart of historic the centre of Evora, a city classified by UNESCO as World Heritage. The Pousada de Evora, Convento dos Loios, was originally a convent and one of Evora's most precious architectural buildings.
Pousada de Vila Vicosa - D. Joao IV, Historic Luxury Hotel. onvento das Chagas - Terreiro do Paco
7160-251 Vila Vicosa" directions="" phone="+351-268 980 742" email="recepcao.djoao@pousadas.pt" url="http://www.pousadas.pt/historicalhotels/EN/pousadas/Portugal/Alentejo/DJoaoIV/home/" checkin="" checkout="" price=""></sleep>
The Pousada de Vila Vicosa, D. Joao IV, is set in the former Convent of Chagas de Cristo in the historical village of Vila Vicosa. Very characteristic with its intricate themed rooms, full of legends and tales.
Pousada de Estremoz - Rainha Santa Isabel, Pousada Historica. argo de D. Diniz
7100-509 Estremoz" directions="" phone="+351-268 332 075" email="recepcao.staisabel@pousadas.pt" fax="+351-268 332 079" url="http://www.pousadas.pt/historicalhotels/EN/pousadas/Portugal/Alentejo/RainhaSantaIsabel/home/" checkin="" checkout="" price=""></sleep>
The castle of Estremoz is the result of the restoration of the magnificent Palace that King D. Diniz built for his wife, Queen Isabel, the Saint.
Pousada de Arraiolos - Nossa Senhora da Assuncao, Historic Luxury Hotel. onvento dos Loios
7041-909 Arraiolos" directions="" phone="+351-266 419 340 / 266 419 365" email="recepcao.assuncao@pousadas.pt" fax="+351-266 419 280" url="http://www.pousadas.pt/historicalhotels/EN/pousadas/Portugal/Alentejo/NossaSenhoradaAssuncao/home/" checkin="" checkout="" price=""></sleep>
The Pousada de Arraiolos, Nossa Sra. Assuncao, is an example of perfect harmony between the traditional and modern concepts of Portuguese architecture, adapting the austerity of a 16th century convent to today's standards of comfort and well-being.
There are several hotels and you can get directions in the Tourist Office, which is located in the main city square - Praca do Geraldo.
Casa Palma. ua Bernardo Matos29A. 0 euros for a double (in February 2006, required some haggling).
Hotel Ibis Evora. uinta da Tapada Urbanizacao da Muralha . +351)266 760 700 . ttp://www.ibishotel.com/ibis/fichehotel/gb/ibi/1708/fiche_hotel.shtml.
Casa D. Antonia. urismo Rural Alentejo. ua Direita, 15 Monsaraz. +351)266 557 142. ttp://www.casadantonia-monsaraz.com. nfo@casadantonia-monsaraz.com. +351)266 557 142. urismo rural alentejo, turismo rural, turismo alentejo, turismo rural monsaraz. A simple family environment is a principal characteristic of Casa D. Antonia. It has one suite and six rustic double rooms, all offering air conditioning, cable TV, private bathroom with WC, and a breakfast typical of the region.
It has an Alentejan patio with a garden offering panoramic views to the west. Here you can enjoy the pleasure of looking out over the remarkable landscape of this vast plain. The summers are hot and dry, the winters short, with rain and sun.
Our mission is to combine an enjoyable family atmosphere with the kind of comfort and tranquillity so many seek in this day and age.</sleep>
There's a multitude of Bed And Breakfasts, though most will be fully booked during the high season.
Get out
Lisboa
Setubal
Alcacer do Sal
Santarem
Beja, Serpa, Mertola (then you can exit to Spain or the Algarve)
Portalegre, Marvao, Castelo de Vide (then you can exit to Spain or Castelo Branco)
Castelo Branco