We just finished up 3 nights in Evora and loved it. Great walled town, small enough to walk everywhere. It has a nice cathedral, a long aqueduct, a vault where skulls are stored (Cappella do Ossos), the Igreja do Lotos - former Arabian castle and Christian convent with great tile works, and a university. The restaurants are small and wonderful, and there are plenty of little side trip options. We had a car, so we were able to get outside of town to Monsaraz (fairytale walled city) and Vila Vicosa for its marble. We stayed at the Albergaria Do Calvario and thought it was one of the best places we have ever stayed.
Posted by
Laval, Québec, Canada
336 posts
It is a great corner of Portugal indeed.
We stayed 2 nights, eventhough we liked Evora, we saw the same things as you did, I think I even enjoyed Mosaraz and Marvao, another great white hilltown, better than Evora. I just love the vegetation around there, semi desert-like with oak-cork trees(is that the term in english?)
Just a great spot, thanks for sharing your opinion about it.
Claude
Posted by
OP
Atlanta, GA, USA
27 posts
@claudecyr65, we did not have time to see Marvao, but one of the things we most enjoyed about Evora was that it was an actual living, thriving Portuguese town with real Portuguese people living there, working there, going to school there, etc. as opposed to Mosaraz which was wonderful, but basically like a museum - beautiful, well preserved, but the only ones there are the day shop owners for the tourists. Yes, that corner of Portugal is worth spending some time in. Pick a town, spend a few days, and enjoy what the area has to offer! We chose Evora.
Posted by
3 posts
Thanks for the comments/tips about Evora. We are headed to Portugal for a month in mid-June and will be renting a car for the whole time. Any other tips about what not to miss would be most appreciated !
Posted by
OP
Atlanta, GA, USA
27 posts
@ttloyd, when in Evora, check out the peacocks in the Public Gardens. There are about 20 -30 of them, and they make for some nice photos.
Posted by
Arkansas
70 posts
We are using our credit card (visa) for insurance coverage for rental car and going to be in Evora for two nights next week. Any suggestions on safe parking for a rental car while there?
Posted by
OP
Atlanta, GA, USA
27 posts
Our hotel, the Albergaria Do Calvario, had free underground garage parking. There was also a big (free I think) dirt lot just outside the town gate near this hotel. This is near where the aqueduct crosses the wall into the city. It looked safe, but you never know.
Posted by
3 posts
Thanks for the tip on the peacocks and other great ideas Anthony !