Welcome to Évora, the UNESCO world heritage city in Portugal. Évora is the capital of Portugal’s most undiscovered (and arguably most authentic) region – Alentejo. I have just returned from my second trip to this charming, historical city and now that I have my bearings it feels like the perfect time to share this quick travel guide. My favourite travel pass time is wandering and Évora is made for wandering. The city is surprisingly compact but with a maze of cobbled streets to navigate it is the best location to truly ‘get lost’.
WHERE IS ÉVORA?
The city of Évora is nestled neatly in the middle of Alentejo in the southern central part of Portugal. Being in the centre of the quietest region you might expect that it is difficult to get to but, Évora is less than a 90 minute drive from Lisbon. This short distance makes it an ideal day trip or get-away.
HOW TO GET TO ÉVORA
Évora is one of the more accessible parts of Alentejo and is easy to reach from Lisbon. Although there are trains and buses between the capital and Évora I would recommend hiring a car, especially if you have more than a few days in Portugal. The drive from Lisbon to Évora is an experience in itself. Once you leave the cityscape of Lisbon behind you’ll drive past acres and acres of cork forests before reaching the castle walls of Évora.
So now you know how to get to Évora you might want to ask ‘Where should I stay in Évora?’. Luckily for you there is no shortage of accommodation options in Évora. I want to share two places I have personally stayed and can recommend.
Casa Vitória Apartments
If you want to stay in the heart of Évora then Casa Vitória Guest House is your place. You’ll find a collection of basic but comfortable apartments surrounding a traditional patio. At just a 5 minute walk from the roman temple and Praça do Giraldo you couldn’t be more central.
If you are looking for a more relaxing stay away from the bustle then book up at Quinta da Espada. Located a short drive (or Uber) out of the city Quinta da Espada features traditional rooms and a pool – essential for hot summer days!
As I mentioned before Évora is brimming with places to stay. I usually book with BookingCom as I find the platform offers the largest selection of accommodation and best value but always check if you can book direct with smaller businesses.
GASTRONOMY. Évora is a foodie paradise. If you want a taste of Portugal Alentejo can offer some of the very best produce. We’re talking black pork, freshly baked bread and hearty soups. Not forgetting the convent sweets and pastries.
MIND BLOWING HISTORY. I’m the first to admit not being a history buff but even with little interest in past eras it is hard not to be impressed by the 1st century AD (!!) Roman Temple.
AFTERNOON DRINKS AT PRAÇA DO GIRALDO. Get caught up in the bustle at the main square in Évora. The best place for an afternoon drink.
WINE ANYONE? Évora is surrounded by vineyards and is the perfect base for enotourism in Alentejo. Don’t forget to drop into Rota dos Vinhos do Alentejo to plan your wine trip around the region.
WHERE TO EAT IN ÉVORA
If you want to do nothing other than eat and drink in Évora you will not be disappointed. A few foodie delights you should try whilst in the capital of Alentejo include ‘porco preto’, ‘açorda à Alentejana’ and ‘queijinho do ceu’. Here is a selection of restaurants and cafes you need to add to your itinerary right now.
There is a large dirt car-park available with free parking just outside the city walls. Providing it is not during a holiday/market day you should be able to find a spot easy enough.
MONEY IN ÉVORA
Most restaurants will take cash and card but some of the smaller ones will only accept Portuguese bank cards. There are plenty of ATM’s available. Use bank ATM’s rather than ‘Euro’ cash points to avoid crazy fees. I always recommend traveling with a WISE card for the best exchange rates.
TIMINGS IN ÉVORA
Restaurants typically open between 12-3 pm for lunch and 6 pm-late for dinner. Some establishments close completely between lunch and evening service. Some restaurants, bars and museums close on Monday, Tuesday or both but stay open on weekends. Make sure to check before arrival.
LANGUAGE IN ÉVORA
You can get by with English in most towns and cities with tourist infrastructure in Portugal. However, learning a few basic phrases in Português before you arrive will go a long way. The locals will greatly appreciate your effort and I promise you a more authentic experience when you converse in this way. Let’s all do what we can to keep the language and culture of Portugal alive.
So there you go, a quick guide to Évora. Hopefully this travel guide inspires you to include this UNESCO city to your Portugal itinerary.
I am no stranger to car hire in Portugal. After 5 years of living in and driving around Portugal I have discovered how to hire a car successfully. I’ve used hire cars to travel around every region. I have driven around Douro Valley in search of wine experiences, along Algarve’s sunny coastline, through undiscovered Alentejoand navigated roads in both Lisbon and Porto in a hire car.
I even moved house from Lagos to Lisbon using a hire car!
*Some links included in this guide are affiliate links. This means if you click through one of these links and make a purchase I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services I have personally used. Zest is one of a few companies I have used again and again while living in Portugal.
WHY USE A HIRE CAR IN PORTUGAL?
Unless you are hopping in and out of the country very quickly or plan on staying put in a resort for the duration of your holiday then it makes sense to hire a car in Portugal.
There are many reasons to choose to a hire car in Portugal. Of course there are trains, buses and boats in Portugal but as soon as you stray away from the busy hubs of Lisbon and Porto these transport links start to dry up. There is a fantastic rail line that runs between and Algarve and the North but again, the further you travel from that line the harder it becomes to get around. This leaves some of the best parts of Portugal out of reach. Hiring a car enables you to discover everything Portugal has to offer. Alentejo is a great example of a region best explored by car!
One of the most common questions I come across when helping people plan their trip to Portugal is ‘How do I hire a car?’. With an overwhelming number of options and so many horror stories it is understandably one of the least enjoyable parts of planning a trip. I experienced these same challenges over and over again. After a lot of trial and error and many years of driving around Portugal I finally worked out how to hire a car and stay sane while doing it.
HOW TO HIRE A CAR IN PORTUGAL
With so many rental car companies in Portugal it can be overwhelming to find the right fit. So the first bit of advice I can give for ‘how to hire a car in Portugal’ is : use a comparison site.
There are several comparison websites for car hire in Portugal but beware, most are complicated and frustrating to use. Many companies use sneaky tactics to hide prices until the end of the booking process which is infuriating. After many disappointing car hire experiences with other companies I was starting to give up but then I found Zest. I first used Zest to book a hire car in Portugal several years ago and, thanks to an excellent experience, I’ve used them ever since.
Zest is a comparison website so helps you compare vehicles and companies based on your location, pick-up and drop-off, car type and length of hire. Zest enables you to see the prices upfront so you know exactly what you are getting. There are no surprises waiting for you at check-out. The search function is very easy to use and there is no jargon to navigate. Zest also includes FULL COLLISION DAMAGE WAIVER WITH NO EXCESS. I have personally used this after an unfortunate accident involving a broken tail light and Zest took care of everything for me. To top it off the customer service is excellent.
Choose pick-up and drop-off location and age. Click ‘Search’.
Choose any filters such as category, doors, air-con etc
Find a suitable car
Click ‘View Rental Conditions’ to see full condition. Note any mandatory local charges.
Choose optional extras. One extra driver is free. Choose ‘Toll Transponder’ if you plan on going on any motorways.
Review insurance. Full Collision Damage Waiver with no excess comes as standard. I personally add top-up insurance at this point which covers the extra bits like damage to wheels or loss of keys.
Confirm Driver Details
Continue to payment
DONE!
TIPS FOR HIRING WITH ZEST
DON’T BE AFRAID OF SMALLER COMPANIES Some of my best car hire experiences have been with smaller companies. These companies are often more flexible too.
BE FLEXIBLE WITH DATES. Prices are sometimes cheaper when you pick up mid-week.
CONSIDER A LONGER HIRE. Prices are often cheaper when you book for 7 days or longer.
COMPARE PICK-UP/ DROP-OFF LOCATIONS. Airports tend to add a pick-up fee but are usually the most convenient. Picking up from city centres can be more stressful if it is your first time driving in Portugal.
BOOK IN ADVANCE During peak times car hire can and does get fully booked. Booking your hire car in advance saves a lot of stress on arrival.
A common question I see is ‘can I hire a car in Portugal without a credit card?’. Most companies only accept a valid credit card (not pre-paid) when hiring a car. However some companies do exist. When searching with Zest click on ‘view rental conditions’ under the photo of the car to see everything you need.
I hope this post can help ease any of the worries that naturally come with the car hire process. Now you have everything you need to hire a car in Portugal. Boa viagem!
Have you booked your accommodation in Portugal yet?
The Alentejo is Portugal’s most undiscovered region but there are countless reasons to visit this magical landscape. Thanks to the diverse landscape, hilltop villages and many vineyards there is no shortage of unique places to stay in Alentejo. If you want to find the real Portugal spend some time getting to know Alentejo.
WHERE TO STAY IN ALENTEJO
Alentejo is Portugal’s largest region and stretches from the hot south all the way up to the cooler central and north regions so deciding where to stay can be overwhelming.
Alentejo can be split into 3 areas Alto, Baixo and Centro; each with their own landscape, character and charm . Alentejo deserves time to explore. If you have the time I encourage you to experience staying in each area. However, don’t worry if you only have a few days to explore, you’ll still be able to capture the warmth of Alentejo.
*Some links included in this guide are affiliate links. This means if you click through one of these links and make a purchase I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you find my content useful or inspiring please consider using these links.
FINDING ACCOMMODATION IN ALENTEJO
I understand why finding the right accommodation in Alentejo might seem like a chore but it doesn’t have to be.
If possible, I encourage you to book directly with small businesses (guesthouses/ bnb’s etc) so that they can benefit from your booking without loosing a commission to the bigger companies.
Otherwise my go-to search website is BookingCom. I find they have the widest range of best value options. I also check in with Air BnB to compare. I personally prefer self-catering/ apartments when I travel as I find these offer the most unique places to stay. However Alentejo has plenty of different options including hotels, b+b’s, cottages, camping and resorts. Go jump in!
Now let me share my favourite places to stay in Alentejo. I have personally stayed in all the places you see below and can recommend them.
STAY INSIDE THE CASTLE WALLS | MARUAN HEAVEN, MARVÃO
3 bedroom holiday home : Sleeps 6
The perfectly kept Medieval village of Marvão is an essential stop on any Alentejo itinerary. You actually get to drive through the castle walls of this hilltop village to reach your stay at Maruan Heaven. The house still has original features and is equipped with everything you could need for a short or long stay. The best bit about Maruan Heaven though is the sunrise balcony overlooking beautiful Alentejo.
Relax in nature at this traditional Quinta in the serene São Serra Mamede natural park. To reach Quinta da Dourada you’ll drive through some of Portugal’s best scenery and then take a narrow gravel track to your very own slice of tranquility. The Quinta is family-run and you can guarantee owner Nuno will take good care of you during you stay.
This little haven of calm sits just 4km from the bustle of Évora. Stay in the best location in central Alentejo whilst remaining totally chilled. Quinta da Espada features traditional furniture in the bedrooms and alfresco breakfast is served on original Bordello Portuguese ceramics. Every detail and piece decoration at Quinta da Espada pays homage to Alentejo.
Monsaraz is one of Alentejo’s more well-known villages and with good reason. This hilltop village is a beauty to behold and you won’t help but gawk at it’s pretty streets and medieval details. For the ultimate experience in Monsaraz travel back in time and book a stay at Casa Tia Anica.
If you want to find an authentic stay in a traditional village Casa Porfiros is your spot. This cosy well designed studio has a window that opens straight on to the street and looks out towards the church. Redondo is a gorgeous village in central Alentejo just a half an hour drive from Évora. The village is a maze of white buildings with colourful façades and is home to a wine museum. Redondo is a DOC wine region and there are plenty of well-known vineyards close by.
I recently returned from an 10 day road trip around Alentejo, Portugal. I drove 1500km around Portugal’s largest region in search of hidden villages, stunning views and unforgettable experiences. Alentejo delivered. I found all of the above and so, so much more. Alentejo turned out to be one of the best trips I have ever experienced and so I had to share my epic 10 day itinerary with you.
On this particular Alentejo trip I stuck to the interior so you won’t see any coastal areas such as Porto Covo and Vila Nova de Milfontes in this itinerary.
*Some links included in this guide are affiliate links. This means if you click through one of these links and make a purchase I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you find my content useful or inspiring please consider using these links.
WHY VISIT ALENTEJO?
Alentejo is Portugal’s largest yet most undiscovered region. You only have to hop over the border from Lisbon or Algarve to experience the warmth and character of Alentejo. To me Alentejo represents the ‘real’ Portugal and there is plenty of culture to soak up. The region is vast and the landscape changes constantly from north to south. Travel from top to bottom and you can expect mountains and valleys, vineyards and sunflower fields, medieval castles and a wild coastline.
I have always loved living in Portugal but it wasn’t until my return from Alentejo that I really fell in love. Spending 10 days getting to know Alentejo left me with a bigger understanding and appreciation for Portugal than ever before.
If you want to find out more in-depth information about the Alentejo region don’t forget to visit the Visit Alentejo website.
WHERE IS ALENTEJO?
The Alentejo is the largest region in Portugal which is located on the Iberian peninsula. It is bordered by the Algarve, Lisbon and Central regions and despite being the largest region in the country it attracts the lowest number of visitors in mainland Portugal.
Sadly Alentejo slips under most people’s radar when they visit Portugal. Most people choose to spend their time in Algarve, Lisbon or Porto but I’m here to prove why Alentejo deserves just as much (or even more) attention that these longtime favourite destinations.
HOW TO GET TO ALENTEJO?
The region is easily accessible from all of Portugal’s major airports (Lisbon, Porto and Faro). Which one you choose will depend on how long you have in the region and what itinerary you are planning to take.
Although most towns and villages are accessible by train or (more likely) bus the best way to ensure you get the most out of Alentejo is by hiring a car. Having a car ill give you more freedom and flexibility with your itinerary but cruising around in your own four wheels (in my humble opinion) is the best way to experience Alentejo.
I used Zest to book a hire car for my Alentejo adventure and the experience was stress-free from start to finish.
BEST 10 DAY ITINERARY FOR ALENTEJO
I spent 10 days exploring Alentejo and was able to experience the region fully. Of course there is still plenty more I want to see but this 10 day itinerary will show you the absolute best the region has to offer. I spent weeks of research making sure my itinerary included the perfect mix of medieval hilltop towns, castles, vineyards, cute villages and unforgettable experiences. There will always be more to discover but this 10 day itinerary will allow you to really get beneath the surface of the Alentejo.
This itinerary is the exact route I took around the Alentejo and includes overnight stays and day trips. I have included links for accommodation options in each place. I pride myself on only sharing personal recommendations – these are places I actually stayed during my trip to Alentejo.
I drove from Algarve and returned to Algarve. If you are driving from Lisbon or Porto you can switch the itinerary around easily enough. If you only have a short amount of time I recommend basing yourself in central Alentejo and making day trips from Ėvora.
MÉRTOLA
This gem of a medieval village sits proudly on the Guadiana river just a whisper into the region. It is small enough to wander around in a day but if you have the time stay for a few nights and enjoy the picturesque streets without rushing. If you have extra time take a drive to one of the river beaches nearby.
EXPERIENCE | Dinner, wine and sunset at Espaco Casa Amarela on the other side of the river.
VILA VIÇOSA
I spent a few hours walking the beautiful streets of Vila Viçosa and loved the spotting the pretty tiles, choosing an alfresco cafe and browsing typical artisan products from the region. This would be a great stay over too! Check out Bookingcom for Vila Viçosa accommodation options.
SERRA DE SÃO MAMEDE NATURAL PARK
I didn’t even know this natural park existed until I stayed at a beautiful Quinta (Quinta da Dourada) just outside Portalegre. The natural park is a dream to drive around; quiet, winding (but not too winding) roads with seriously gorgeous views. You can also visit one of Alentejo’s highest points in São Mamede, this summit gets snow in the winter which is unimaginable when you visit in July! I highly recommend the drive from Quinta da Dourada to Castelo de Vide.
EAT/DRINK | At the Quinta. Contact the owner Nuno in advance and you’ll be able to enjoy delicious Portuguese home cooking during your stay.
EXPERIENCE | Driving through the Mamede Natural Park.
CASTELO DE VIDE
I only spent a matter of hours here but I can confidently tell you it as one of my favourite places I visited in Alentejo. Castelo de Vide feels lived in yet looks beautiful from top to bottom. People shout from windows and Fado music drifts in and out of houses. It is also the most ‘flowery’ place I saw on my trip. Every house was a piece of wild art!
Another big favourite for me was experiencing Marvão. This hilltop village is picture perfect, so much so that it kind of feels like you are in a medieval theme park. It may look like it is geared up solely for tourists but there is still authenticity to be found when you peek around the corners. Don’t leave until you have walked the circumference of the castle walls
The cutest village in central Alentejo you ever did see. White houses beam in the afternoon sunshine, olive groves stretch out from it’s borders and locals remain curious but friendly towards newcomers. Rendondo is also a DOC wine region and pottery centre. The town has a good selection of restaurants and bars and is well worth a stop overnight.
EAT/DRINK | Choose a lively one in the main square.
EXPERIENCE | Drinking with the locals at an authentic snack bar. There is also a wine museum and plenty of vineyards close by!
ÉVORA
The capital of Alentejo and its most well-known asset. Évora is probably the busiest you’re going to get when it comes to Alentejo but with good reason. The city is steeped in history, full of authentic Alentejan cuisine and surrounded by some of the region’s best vineyards. I have to admit I didn’t get a chance to make the most of Évora but I will certainly be back to spend a few days enjoying the city buzz.
EXPERIENCE | Capela dos Ossos (Chaple of bones). Enjoying tapas and cocktails with a view!
MONTE DA RAVESQUEIRA
I’m mentioning this as a must-stop experience on your Alentejo itinerary because Monte da Ravasqueira is one of the most alluring vineyards I have visited in Portugal to date. The experience also introduced me to my new go-to bottle of vinho branco. I have several chilling in my fridge as I write this. Book a tour, tasting or experience and you will be welcomed warmly, invited to sip on some award-winning wines and enjoy time soaking up sun-drenched vineyard views and the real beauty of Alentejo. Of course, Alentejo is not short on wine experiences and I fully encourage you to squeeze in a few if you can; but, if you only have time for one vineyard during your trip make it this one! Located only 5km from Arraiolos and 25km from Évora.
You can read more about my wine travels in Portugal here (coming soon).
ESTREMOZ
Estremoz sits nicely between Évora and Elvas and has an attractive buzz about it. It is obvious that this isn’t a tourist town but there are lots of cute streets and a pretty epic castle view to top it off. Estremoz also has plenty of vineyards within a short distance.
EXPERIENCE | Take a stroll up to the old castle wall and take in the vineyard views.
MONSARAZ
Most people who already know about Alentejo will direct you to Monsaraz as a place to add to your itinerary and with good reason too. Monsaraz is pocket-sized and picturesque (almost to a fault) and a magical introduction to Alentejo. Tiny streets boast restaurants with panoramic views and little nooks host artisan shops filled with ceramics and honey.
EAT/DRINK | I ate in my apartment during my stay but I had several recommendations for Taverna Os Templários and Restaurante Bar Sem-Fim.
EXPERIENCE | Wandering the cobbled streets early morning.
VIDIGUEIRA
This town usually doesn’t make it on a typical Alentejo itinerary which is exactly why i wanted to visit. Vidigueira is actually a really important town for the history of wine in Portugal and its also delightful to explore by foot.
EXPERIENCE | Adega Cooperativa Vidigueira for a wine tour and unique Talha wine tasting.
So here ends my Alentejo itinerary! I hope this helps you capture at least a small picture of how wonderful this region is to explore. Stay tuned for a complete ‘’Alentejo travel guide’ and ‘unique places to stay guide’.
Don’t forget to check out my other Portugal experience based travel guides.
Tavira is a gorgeous Algarvian town located in the warmest and sunniest corner of Portugal. Tavira has it all – a charming old town, a medieval castle, authentic restaurants, river-side bars, an 11km island with white sand beach and a beautiful natural park.
WHERE IS TAVIRA
Tavira is located in east Algarve on Portugal’s south coast. Just a 30 minute drive from Faro and close to the Spanish border (just two hours from Seville).
WHERE TO STAY IN TAVIRA
There is no shortage of accommodation options in and out of Tavira but during my search I did find it difficult to find good quality rooms. When I finally found Formosa Guest House I was able to celebrate. The photos looks great online but it is even more wonderful in real life. The guest house is right on the Praça da República in the old town and offers bright, well- styled rooms with balconies and a spectacular view over the river. My stay here turned out to be one of my favourites in Portugal to date.
Whether you are staying for a few days or a few weeks you will find plenty to do to keep you mesmerised with this Algarvian town. Here are a few things you should add to your itinerary while you are in Tavira :
Bask in sunshine on Ilha de Tavira
Get lost in the charming old town
Watch sunset from the Ponte Romana bridge
Find backstreet tapas
BEST CAFES TAVIRA
There are lots of cafes to satisfy your coffee/breakfast/brunch needs in Tavira and lots ate open early which can be hard to find in Portugal. Some of my personal favourites :
Flavour Cafe – Everything from eggs and granola to pancakes and waffles. Friendly service too!
There are so many bars in Tavira. Everything from little backstreet dens to busy main square hangouts. I had no problem finding beers, good wine and cocktails during my time in Tavira. Some spots I recommend to check out :
Arcada – Right on the Praça da República. Perfect for a sundowner.
Tasca do Zé André – The cheapest and best Aperol spritz in town plus great tapas)
Rosa e Gianni – Small, cosy Italian with fresh pasta
As always my favourite thing to do while visiting a new place is wandering the backstreets with no plan and seeing what I can find. I recommend doing just that in Tavira; set off on a self-guided tour and breathe in the sights and sounds of the town. While you here there are a few experiences you shouldn’t miss. I find these types of experiences leave you with the best memories of a place.
ESCAPING THE CROWDS ON ILHA DE TAVIRA
Pulling into Ilha de Tavira can be a little overwhelming in summer due to the crowds flocking off the beach. Luckily the Tavira island is 11km long so there is plenty of space for everyone. Take off behind the sand dunes and walk 10 minutes along the back of the beach to find your own private stretch of sand for the day.
FIND A BACKSTREET TAPAS BAR
Tavira has some great hidden tapas bars to be found. Take yourself on a wander around the cobbled streets in search of cheap and tasty tapas.
PRAÇA DA REPÚBLICA AT SUNSET
Tavira’s main square is a pleasure at all times of day but grab a seat for an hour or so before sunset, order a drink of something delicious and soak up the buzz.
Tavira is one of my favourite towns in the Algarve and I’m looking forward to spending some more time getting to know it. Hopefully this mini travel guide to Tavira can help you plan your next trip.
