Exploring Évora, Portugal: A Hidden Gem
Évora is arguably the most interesting place in Portugal. While Lisbon and Porto provide ever-favourite weekend getaways, the Douro Valley offers a visually stunning wine escape, and the Comporta coastline remains endlessly beautiful; the town of Évora – just an hour outside Lisbon – has all the components of a dream city break, featuring beautiful architecture, endless history, and memorable cuisine.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986, Évora is the capital of the Alentejo region. It stretches from the Tagus River in the north to the Algarve in the south and is known for its countryside planted with cork trees, hearty food, and wine production. Here, however, there is more to see than nature. Évora boasts a colourful and fascinating history, allegedly dating back to Celtic times. Romans began inhabiting the city in the 2nd century BC, and many ruins – including the Temple of Diana – remain from this period. Since then, various occupants, from the Moors to Portuguese royalty, built palaces and convents in the 15th century that remain, showcasing a mismatch of aesthetic styles that continue to thrive today.
With its cobbled streets within the city walls, typically whitewashed Portuguese houses, and elegant tiles, Évora has inspired cities elsewhere, such as Salvador da Bahia in Brazil. Set to be the European Capital of Culture in 2027, simply strolling around here is endlessly inspiring. Shaped by more than twenty decades of history, there’s nowhere quite like Évora; here’s what you shouldn’t miss.
Best Hotels in Évora
Octant Évora
Best for: families
About a 20-minute drive from the centre of Évora is Octant, a brand making a name for itself in the Portuguese hotel scene with eight properties around the country and on the islands of the Azores. This particular hotel is set on 30 acres. Consequently, it makes the most of what the Alentejo has to offer – four contemplation pools (one heated, a rare treat in Portugal) sit on the edge of the property overlooking the low-lying land, where the hotel’s pony and pigs roam free. The sun sets beautifully over the plain before the stars burn bright.
Simple but beautiful is the best way to describe the aesthetic throughout the property. The hotel’s 56 rooms and 16 villas utilize local wood and cork, with white walls and blue accents, in true Alentejo style. Views are either of the property’s main pool or the vast plain, and villas feature a small private pool on the outside terrace for moments of quiet reflection.
