Centred around the beautifully evocative ruin of a Roman temple to the goddess Diana and capital of Portugal’s south central region of Alentejo, Évora is a vibrant university town, veritably bristling with history. Narrow, winding streets, medieval town walls, and architecture from the Neolithic to the golden age of the Catholic church, there’s enough to keep you busy for days, and many excellent restaurants to provide fuel for exploration.
The Moov Hotel Évora (Photo: Moov Hotel Évora Courtesy Booking.com)
Often treated as a day trip from Lisbon, staying over here provides a great opportunity to catch it when the main bulk of tourists have left, and you can explore its delights in relative peace. Fortunately, there are plenty of decent hotels on offer, and few that are really going to break the bank. Here are five of the best.
Moov Hotel Évora
A mostly modern structure built into the town’s former bullring, Moov Hotel Évora is chic, comfortable, and inexpensive. Excellently located for exploring all there is to see in the historic centre, it’s not flashy exactly, but the rooms are well insulated against the heat and bustle of the town itself. All come with flat screen TVs, and have some lovely dark-wood details which add a quiet touch of class. A real bargain, make no mistake.
Patinha Inn
The Patinha Inn (Photo: Patinha Inn Courtesy Booking.com)
If you’re looking for something a little more authentic, head to the Patinha Inn. Located in an old Évora town house, rooms are more modern than you might think from the outside. Some have balconies, all have air conditioning, and best of all, there’s a shared kitchen and terrace, which are perfect for chatting to your hosts and other travellers; swapping tales about the town, and what to see next. There are also some very reasonably priced single rooms with shared bathrooms.
MouraSuites Hotel
The MouraSuites Hotel (Photo: MouraSuites Hotel Courtesy Booking.com)
Pushing into the luxury bracket, MouraSuites Hotel offers some deep comfort in large, very stylish rooms, all located in one of Évora’s beautiful old buildings. Only a 300 metre walk from the town’s cathedral and it has a swimming pool! Perfect for cooling off after a long day on the streets. There’s also a shared lounge area and a 24 hour desk, ready to leap to any and all your up to the minute needs. Of course, all the other mod cons of high end hotel living, from air con to TVs, come as standard.
Hotel Solar de Monfalim
The Hotel Solar de Monfalim (Photo: Hotel Solar de Monfalim Courtesy Booking.com)
Bursting with traditional elegance Hotel Solar de Monfalim has been welcoming guests through its doors since the 19th century. The building itself is even older, dating all the way back to the Renaissance. Rooms are high-ceilinged and airy, but it’s the communal areas, including two terraces, that really sell the place, whispering as they do of a tourism from a different, more cultured, age. This said, modern conveniences aren’t skimped on either, with satellite TV and WiFi throughout.
Convento do Espinheiro
The Convento do Espinheiro (Photo: Convento do Espinheiro Courtesy Booking.com)
Because sometimes, you just need to treat yourself. Situated 4km outside of Évora, the Convento do Espinheiro is a destination in itself. With 8000m2 of its own grounds, this converted convent is a veritable oasis of pleasure with both indoor and outdoor pools, a piano bar, and, as its name suggests, a highly recommended spa. Get yourself a massage, have a cocktail, eat at the excellent onsite restaurant, even play a game of tennis – and all with the wonderful Évero just ten minutes away by car.