Portugal

To get a full refund, cancellation must be no less than 8 days before the local start time of the experience.

If traveler cancels their booking from 7 to 0 days before the local start time of the experience, no refund is provided.

A full-day expedition from Lisbon to Évora and back in the tradition of a “grand tour”. Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage site, rich in Roman, Gothic, Manueline, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture is a living museum that encapsulates over twenty centuries of Portuguese history. The city blossomed into its golden age as the residence of Portuguese kings during the 15th and 16th centuries and is a showcase of portuguese architectural evolution. Here, you can traverse time, from the enigmatic prehistoric cromlech to the imposing Roman Temple, medieval Évora Cathedral, and the contemplative Bones Chapel. The city harmoniously blends its architecture, with low whitewashed houses adorned with azulejos and wrought-iron balconies, set in narrow medieval streets. This architectural coherence, deeply influenced by significant historical events, makes Évora the Alentejo’s capital and a distinct representation of Portugal's cultural and architectural journey.

Private car from Lisbon to Évora and return. 

Évora's uniqueness stems from its rich tapestry of cultural and architectural influences spanning several eras, each leaving an indelible mark on the cityscape. The Roman Temple, a testament to ancient grandeur, coexists with medieval and Renaissance marvels, symbolizing the city's evolution through time. This city, remarkably untouched by the 1755 earthquake, has maintained its historical integrity, offering a window into the past where you can witness the convergence of various architectural styles and urban planning. Évora’s gastronomical excellence and wine offerings add another layer of uniqueness as a top culinary destination. Tiago's expertise brings to life Évora's history, architectural heritage and cultural significance along with authentic local experiences. The tour includes hidden gems like the Painted Houses and the Aqueduto da Água de Prata. Tiago narrates the tour with vivid descriptions and unique insights, engaging you in Évora's rich history and culture. 

The Roman Temple, a well-preserved 1st-century structure, offers a window into Évora's ancient Roman past. This temple, often mistakenly associated with the goddess Diana, is a significant symbol of Roman influence in the region. Its Corinthian-style columns and the architectural design reflect the city's historical importance and one of the few archeological remains of that period. Surrounding the Roman Temple there are several Palaces from different periods, a small romantic garden with a great view and several cultural institutions, such Évora Museum, the Public Library, the Enoteca and Eugénio de Almeida Foundation.

The Square of Condes de Vila Flor is a time capsule regarding different historic-artistic periods. In the center of the square, there's one of the iconic images of Évora -  the Roman Temple, from 1st century BCE. Surrounding it, some preserved medieval walls from the old castle area, but also, the Cadaval Palace, the Lóios Palace, the Vimioso Palace and the Eugénio de Almeida Foundation -  former Inquisition Palace.

The 1st century Roman Temple, dedicated to Emperor Augustus, reminds of Évora’s antiquity.

Roman Temple and Palaces

Travel in comfort and safety from the historic center of Évora to your accommodation hotel in Lisbon. 

During the journey between Évora and Lisbon, we will observe the Alentejo landscape, with its particular ecosystem called "montado": Iberian Mediterranean forest, consisting of vast grassland, herbaceous species used for grazing cattle, goats, and sheep, and several types of oaks, such the famous cork-tree. The landscape changes during the different seasons of the year.

Évora - Lisbon

The Palácio Dom Manuel I, originally a convent transformed also into a royal palace, showcases a blend of Gothic, Manueline, Mudéjar, and Renaissance styles. It's known for its elegant Manueline porch and Mudéjar-style loggia. Today host the Évora interpretive center, exploring the city rich history through distinct chronological periods.

The palace, a significant late medieval and renaissance structure, played a vital role during the 15th-16th century Portuguese Discoveries Age, hosting cultural and political activities, when Évora was one of the Kingdom main city. It's a living testament to the vibrant intellectual life of Évora during its golden age.

Palace Dom Manuel is inside Évora Public Garden, also with neo-moorish Bandstand and "Fake Ruins" 

Renaissance King Manuel Palace

The Church of Misericórdia founded in early 16th century by the King D. Manuel I, will be rebuilt and enlarged in1554, as we can see today. The church, with a single nave and sober proportions, features a majestic set of baroque decoration, with tiles and gilded carvings from the 17th and 18th centuries, making it one of the most beautiful churches in the city of Évora.

The white church appears austere and simple from the outside, but inside, it's covered in magnificent tile decoration designed by the Lisbon workshop of master António de Oliveira Bernardes, one of the most famous of that time period.  Seven panels of tiles with blue cobalt and white decoration represents the Works of Mercy  and Spiritual Qualities.

The nave has a group of seven baroque paintings by the Eborense painter Francisco Xavier de Castro. On the main altar, we can see one of the largest set of gilded altarpiece in Évora.

The Misericórdia Church has a simple exterior design, but an immensely rich interior decoration.

Baroque Church of Misericórdia

Travel in comfort and safety from your accommodation hotel in Lisbon to the historic center of Évora.

During the journey between Lisbon and Évora, we will observe the Alentejo landscape, with its particular ecosystem called "montado": Iberian Mediterranean forest, consisting of vast grassland, herbaceous species used for grazing cattle, goats, and sheep, and several types of oaks, such the famous cork-tree. The landscape changes during the different seasons of the year.

Lisbon - Évora 

Giraldo Square, the heart of Évora, is surrounded by medieval arches, a historic fountain, and 19th-century elite houses. The square's Renaissance white marble fountain, built in 1571, and S. Antão Church symbolizes the once city's richness and political relevance. Giraldo Square has been a focal point for social and cultural activities for centuries, offering a glimpse into the daily life of Évora throughout history, connecting the present to its past.

Praça do Giraldo is an icon of homage to the medieval christian warrior Geraldo Geraldes, the Fearless, who conquered Évora from the Moors in 1167 and became its ruler. The square has architectural references from numerous historical periods: the arcades that adorn it on the side are from the medieval period, the beautiful marble fountain and the Church of Santo Antão, from the 16th century, and the neoclassical and romantic mansions of the Eborense elite are from the 19th century. Nowadays, it's the vibrant center of the city, with its restaurants, cafes, terraces and comercial, religious and cultural activities.

Giraldo Square is the social and commercial heart of Évora, where all the streets converge!

Giraldo Square

The Évora Cathedral, a mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles, is the largest medieval cathedral in Portugal. It stands as a symbol of the Christian reconquest and showcases the architectural transitions of the time. Featuring a huge gothic cloister and a unique rooftop walk, the cathedral showcases the blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles. 

The Medieval Évora Cathedral was built entirely with austere dark granite- including the  Cloister, but will be  altered in different historical periods - from the 12th to the 18th century, resulting in immensely rich and heterogenic colorful decorated interiors.

The Cathedral terrace is the highest point in the city. From there you can see the entire city, whether the historic city within the walls, with all its heritage, or the new city made up of several neighborhoods all around. Furthermore, there is a vast horizon where you can see the extensive plain and some other historical locations.

The Évora Cathedral is one of the oldest and biggest in Portugal, hosting a spectacular Cloister.

Medieval Évora Cathedral

The Convent of São Francisco de Évora,  founded in the 12th century, was the first house of the Franciscan Order in Portugal. In the 15th century it received the title of "Convent of Gold", due to the wealth with which it was decorated by the Royal Family and its proximity to the Royal Palace. In the 17th century, reliving a period of otherness and introspection, the Chapel of Bones is built with the aim of transmitting the message of transience and fragility of human life.

The Bones Chapel, with its interior lined with the bones of monks and common people brought from neighboring cemeteries, offers a contemplative space on human existence. The chapel's design, based on the ossuary of San Bernadino all'Ossa in Milan, leaves visitors in awe with its intricate arrangement of bones and skulls, reflecting on the historical and cultural aspects of mortality and religion. The chapel symbolizes Évora's historical depth and the Franciscans' desire to provide a space for spiritual reflection.

Inside a 12th century Franciscan Convent there's a magnificent Church and the austere Bones Chapel 

Franciscan Chappel with Bones

The University of Évora was founded in 1559 by Cardinal D. Henrique - last portuguese king of 2nd dinasty, being the second university to be founded in Portugal,  after the University of Coimbra (1537). The university - established by the Jesuits, as the nearby Espírito Santo Church, once positioned Évora as Portugal's second city in terms of intellectual prominence. The university's architecture and the church's design reflect the city's academic, religious and artistic significance during different historical periods.

The spectacular building of the Old University of Évora is based on a quadrangular plan that surrounds a grand cloister, also known as Pátio dos Gerais. In the center there's a fountain, surrounded by colonnaded galleries, with the beautiful facade of the former chapel of the Colégio do Espírito Santo rising in the center. The various class-rooms of the school were covered with beautiful baroque tiles alluding to the subjects taught there – Mathematics, Astronomy, Physics and Fine Arts – forming one of the most important Baroque sets with secular themes found in Portugal. But there's also other decorative themes and techniques, such as paintings, inlaid stones and sculptures around the different rooms.

The Old University of Évora hosts a magnificent mannerist cloister and rooms with baroque tiles 

Mannerist Old University

Day Trip from Lisbon to Évora, Alentejo’s capital, with Roman temple, Chapel of Bones, and old town.

1. Lisbon-Évora: 8:00-10:00 AM
2. Palácio Dom Manuel I – Damsels Gallery (10:00 AM – 10:45 AM)
3. Bones Chapel (11:00 AM – 11:45 AM)
4. Church of Misericórdia (12:00 PM – 12:30 PM)
5. Giraldo Square (12:45 PM – 1:15 PM)
6. Lunch in a Typical Restaurant (1:15 PM – 2:15 PM)
7. Roman Temple (2:30 PM – 3:15 PM)
8. Medieval Cathedral + Wine Tasting (3:30 PM – 4:15 PM)
9. Mannerist-Baroque Old University (4:30 PM – 5:00 PM)
10. Évora-Lisbon (5:00 PM-7:00 PM)

The per person price of this experience assumes a minimum number of participants to cover base costs and logistics. The supplemental fee enables us to maintain quality and exclusivity for your smaller than minimum group

Echoes of Evora

This experience accommodates a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 people - in order to make base costs and logistics work. Included are: Transportation from Lisbon to Évora and back, lunch and wine tasting experience.

Comfortable walking shoes, camera, and a spirit of exploration!

Private car from Lisbon to Évora and return.  By car

Born and raised in Lisbon, Tiago Neiva has an extensive background in architecture, and a master's degree in the Teaching of Visual Arts. His expertise includes the art and architecture of al-Andalus and the confluence of Arab, Jewish, and Christian medieval cultures. Tiago's guided tours are known for their depth and insight, covering aspects like architectural heritage, cultural and social context, and vivid and engaging descriptions.