Small-Group Évora Day Trip from Lisbon with Olive Oil Tastings

Leave Lisbon with your guide – passing over the Vasco da Gama Bridge on the River Tagus – and soak up the stunning scenery of the Alentejo Region, where magnificent plains are filled with vineyards, crops, olive trees and cork trees, which produce the well-known Portuguese cork. After the 1.5-hour drive, you’ll arrive in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Évora.

Shaped by the styles of many periods, the well-preserved city of Evora has a rich culture, history and artistic heritage. You’ll visit many of its important historic sites, first of which is St Francis, a Gothic-Manueline church that is home to the 16th-century Chapel of Bones (Capela dos Ossos), whose walls are covered with human bones, mainly skulls.

Next, see the ruins of the 1st-century Roman Temple and admire the Gothic- and Renaissance-style palace of King Manuel, where Vasco da Gama was told to explore the sea route to India. Then see the famous Cathedral of Évora (Sé de Évora), built between 1280 and 1340, and explore with your guide the picturesque streets and Gothic arches surrounding Giraldo Square (Praça do Giraldo), the city’s main square.

Have free time to grab lunch in one of the local restaurants (own expense) and roam the historical streets on your own, soaking up the atmosphere or browsing through charming souvenir shops. Then meet back up with your guide, who will lead you to an olive oil tasting at a specialist shop where you will savor samples of five olive oils.

The last stop of your day trip is Almendres Cromlech -- a megalithic complex that dates back to 4000 BC and is one of the largest groups of structured menhirs (large stones that stand upright) in Europe. During its thousands of years of existence, this site was used to celebrate the solstice and equinox.