ÉVORA - Portugal - page 191

With a day in Évora, follow the “Welcome to Évora” walk outlined on here , have a
quick lunch, see the remaining sights, and enjoy a leisurely, top-notch dinner. After din-
ner, stroll the back streets and ponder life, like the retired men of Évora seem to do so
expertly.
Orientation to Évora
Évora's old town, contained within a medieval wall, is surrounded by the sprawling newer
part of town. The major sights—the Roman Temple and early Gothic cathedral—crowd
together at the old town's highest point. A subtle yet still-powerful charm is contained
within the medieval walls. Find it by losing yourself in the quiet lanes of Évora's far
corners.
Tourist Information
Pick up a free map at the TI on the main square at Praça do Giraldo 73 (daily 9:00-19:00,
Nov-March until 18:00, tel. [phone], www2.cm-evora.pt/guiaturistico , cme-
[e-mail] ).
Arrival in Évora
By Bus: The bus station is west of the center, on Avenida São Sebastião. To reach the
town center from the station, it's either a short taxi ride (€5) or a 10-minute walk (exit
station right, and continue straight all the way into town, passing through the city walls at
the halfway point).
By Train: The train station is south of the center, on Avenida Dr. Barahona. To get
from the train station to the center, you can take a taxi (€7), or walk a long 25 minutes up
Avenida Dr. Barahona, continuing straight on Rua da República after you enter the city
walls.
By Car: Drivers will find Évora's old town frustrating because of its tiny one-way
streets. Park in one of the big, free parking lots that circle the town just outside the walls.
Assuming you choose the right lot, you'll have an easy walk to your hotel. The green-
and-white Trevo shuttle bus (see below) serves the parking lots and most hotels.
Helpful Hints
Internet Access: The big place in town is Cybercenter, with 16 computers, Wi-Fi, and
lots of local kids playing games (€2/hour; Mon-Sat 9:30-23:00, Sun 12:00-21:00; just
downhill from Praça do Giraldo at Rua Serpa Pinto 36). The town hall, on Praça de
Sertório, has six free—but often busy—computers (Mon-Fri 9:00-17:00, closed Sat-
Sun; this is a stop on my self-guided town walk, here ) . You can also find free Wi-Fi
at many cafés and on both Praça do Giraldo and Praça de Sertório.