ITD27 Exploring Évora
Welcome to Évora, Portugal, the site of the ITD27 Conference from 31 May – 4 June 2027. Here you can find information about the city of Évora, how to travel within the city, some ideas on where to go and what to do, as well as additional resources and information to help with your stay. There is a unique opportunity in that Évora has been named a European Capital of Culture for 2027, so there will be many cultural activities organized in the city. We encourage you to not only take advantage of them but also learn about the rich cultural traditions in the Antelejo region, many of which are embodied in the way of life known as ‘Vagar’. For information on how to get to Évora and accommodations please check the Plan Your Visit page.
City of Évora
Évora has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986 and is one of Portugal’s most historically rich cities, with over two millennia of continuous urban life. Located in the Alentejo region, it was shaped by Roman, medieval, and early modern periods, all of which are still visible in its remarkably preserved historic center. The city is perhaps best known for its Roman Temple, its vast 12th-century cathedral, and its whitewashed streets lined with Manueline and Renaissance architecture. Once a royal residence and an intellectual center, Évora has long been a crossroads of politics, religion, and learning, giving it a quietly monumental atmosphere that still defines the city today.
2027 European Capital of Culture
Évora has been selected as a European Capital of Culture (ECoC) in 2027, a designation that recognizes its deep cultural heritage while also highlighting its contemporary creative life and future ambitions. The choice reflects Évora’s unique position as a small historic city using culture to drive regional development, sustainability, and international exchange, particularly within the rural Alentejo. The ECoC program emphasizes dialogue between tradition and innovation, with events spanning visual arts, music, performance, literature, heritage, and community-based projects, and you can find the full program here. You can also learn more by checking out the youtube channel, news and updates, or read up on the way of life in the Alentejo region known as ‘Vagar’.
Getting around Évora
Walking is the main mode of transport for central Évora since most of the key sites are relatively close to one another. Bus, taxi, ride sharing, and biking are also common modes of transportation.
Bus
Évora’s bus network connects the historic centre with outlying areas, including the university and stations. Trevo provides information about local bus schedules, routes, and fares in Evora. Tickets can mostly be purchased on the bus, or you can also download the Pick app on your phone.
Taxis & Ride-Sharing
Taxis can be booked by phone (+351 964 085 682) or found near the main square or station. Uber and Bolt are popular ride share apps used within the city.
Bike Rental
If you are interested in renting a bike while in Evora, Galacio bike offers bike rental options.
Parking
If you are using a car to get around, Estacionamento BUS Évora e camiões offers space for public parking.
Food & Drink
Évora is an excellent introduction to Alentejo cuisine, one of Portugal’s most distinctive regional food traditions. Local cooking is hearty, seasonal, and rooted in rural practices, featuring ingredients such as bread, olive oil, herbs (especially coriander), pork, lamb, and game. Classic dishes include açorda alentejana (a garlic-and-coriander bread soup with poached egg), migas (bread-based dishes often served with pork), and slow-cooked stews. The region is also known for its cheeses, olive oils, and wines, many of which are produced nearby. In the city, visitors will find everything from traditional taverns to contemporary restaurants reinterpreting local flavors, making food an easy and rewarding way to engage with the region’s culture.
Listed below are a few that we recommend.
Restaurants
¼ Pras 9 | Address: Rua Pedro Simões, 9 | Telephone: A +351 962 931 375 | $$$
5 Amendoas | Address: Vitoria Stone Hotel, Rua Diana de Lis, 5 | Telephone: +351 266 700 094 | $$$
A Choupana | Address: Rua dos Mercadores, 20 | Telephone: +351 266 704 427 | $$$
A Grelha | Address: Rua de Machede, 46 | Telephone: +351 266 702 289 | $$
Dona Ines II | Address: Rua Diogo Cão, 3 | Telephone: +351 962 392 558
Cafes and Pastry
Évora Brunch Café | Address: Praça do Giraldo 84 | Telephone: +351 962 777 205
The Bakery Lounge | Address: R. de Burgos 6 | Telephone: +351 266 707 085
NATA Lisboa – Évora Giraldo – Pastel de Nata | Address: R. da República 15 | Telephone: +351 926 140 600
Fabrica Does Pasteis | Address: Rua Alcárcova de Cima, 10 | Telephone: +351 266 098 424
Pao De Rala | Address: Rua do Cicioso, 47 | Telephone: +351 266 707 778
Violeta | Address: Rua José Elias Garcia, 4 | Telephone: +351 931 898 886
Activities and Sites to Visit
Évora’s compact historic center makes it ideal for exploration on foot. Highlights include the Roman Temple, the Cathedral, and the Church of São Francisco, which houses the famous Chapel of Bones. The University of Évora offers cloisters and historic interiors worth visiting, while the city walls provide a sense of Évora’s medieval scale. Just outside the center, visitors can explore public gardens, small museums, and viewpoints over the Alentejo plains.
Roman Temple of Évora
The Roman Temple of Évora, dating to the 1st century CE, is one of the best-preserved Roman monuments on the Iberian Peninsula and a symbol of the city’s ancient origins. Likely dedicated to the imperial cult, it reflects Évora’s significance within Roman Lusitania.
Address: Largo do Conde de Vila Flor, 7000-863 | Hours: Freely accessible to view at all time
Cathedral of Évora
The Cathedral of Évora is the largest medieval cathedral in Portugal, built between the 12th and 13th centuries and combining Romanesque and Gothic architectural elements. Its interior, treasury museum, and rooftop terraces offer insight into Évora’s religious history as well as panoramic views over the city and surrounding plains.
Address: Largo do Marquês de Marialva 7000-809 | Hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm daily
Chapel of Bones
Located inside the Church of São Francisco, the Chapel of Bones is one of Évora’s most striking monuments, lined with the skulls and bones of thousands of individuals. Created in the 16th century, it reflects early modern religious attitudes toward mortality and the transience of life.
Address: Praça 1º Maio | Hours: 9:00 am- 5:00pm everyday
Évora Museum
Housed in the former Archbishop’s Palace, the Évora Museum presents a wide-ranging collection spanning archaeology, sculpture, painting, and decorative arts. Its holdings provide a comprehensive overview of the city and region’s artistic and historical development.
Address: Largo do Conde de Vila Flor, 7000-804 | Hours: 9:30 am- 1:00pm, 2:00pm- 5:30pm except Monday
Painted Houses
The Painted Houses are a rare set of medieval buildings decorated with frescoes and ornamental wall paintings uncovered during archaeological excavations. They offer insight into domestic life and artistic expression in Évora during the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance.
Address: Praça 1º Maio | Hours: 10:00 am- 5:00pm everyday except Monday (closed)
Center of Arts and Culture
This cultural center hosts rotating exhibitions, concerts, and public events, often linking contemporary artistic practice with Évora’s historical setting. It plays an important role in the city’s current cultural life and is a key venue within broader regional and European cultural programs.
Address: Largo do Conde Vila Flo | Hours: 10:00 am- 1:00pm / 2:00pm- 7:00pm everyday except Monday (closed)
Museum of Sacred Art
The Museum of Sacred Art focuses on religious objects, sculpture, and painting from Évora and the surrounding region, primarily dating from the medieval and early modern periods. It highlights the city’s long-standing role as an ecclesiastical and artistic center.
Address: Largo do Conde Vila Flo | Hours: 9:30 am- 1:00pm / 2:00pm- 5:30pm everyday except Monday (closed)
Useful Information and Resources
The office of tourism is located on Praça do Giraldo 73.
Local Police (PSP) can be contacted at +351 266 760 450
Hospital Espírito Santo de Évora is located at Largo do Sr. da Pobreza, 7000-811, or can be contacted at +351 266 740 100.
For questions regarding the ITD27 Conference, please contact Patrícia Bacalhau of the organising team at itd27@uevora.pt.