Background
This museum-city, whose roots go back to Roman times, reached its golden age in the 15th century when it became the residence of the Portuguese kings. UNESCO says its unique quality comes from the whitewashed houses decorated with azulejos and wrought-iron balconies of the 16th to 18th centuries, and that its monuments had a profound influence on Portuguese architecture in Brazil.
Known to the Celts as Ebora and conquered by Rome in 57 BC, Évora keeps its Roman temple, its medieval walls, a Gothic cathedral of 1280 to 1340 and the university founded in 1559. It will be European Capital of Culture in 2027.
- 57 BCThe Romans take and wall the town
- 1st c.The Roman temple is built
- 1280–1340The cathedral is built
- 15th c.The Portuguese kings make Évora their residence
- 1559The university is founded
- 1986Inscribed as World Heritage
Find Your Way Around
The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them
- 1Roman TempleThe Corinthian columns of the 1st-century temple, often called the Temple of Diana.
- 2Évora CathedralOne of Portugal's great Gothic churches; go up onto the roof for the view.
- 3Chapel of BonesThe chapel in São Francisco lined with human bones.
- 4Praça do GiraldoThe main square and the whitewashed lanes.
- 5University CloisterTiled classrooms in the old Jesuit college.
- 6Água de Prata AqueductThe 16th-century aqueduct running into the town.
Know Before You Go
From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides
Temple, Bones and Lanes
From the GoGo Évora guide · Open the Évora Guide ›
- 09:30Roman Temple30 minThe Corinthian columns.
- 10:15Évora Cathedral and Roof75 minThe Gothic cathedral.
- 14:00Capela dos Ossos45 minThe chapel of bones.
- 15:00Praça do Giraldo and Lanes1 hrThe main square.
- 16:30Cromeleque dos Almendres75 minA stone circle in a cork forest outside town.
Best Time to Visit
Best months: Mar–May, Oct. Very hot (highs 34°C+) in Jul–Aug.
Typical highs
Climate: NASA POWER
Pair It With
Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance
