After an amazing stay in Coimbra, my friends and I hit the road again, heading south to the charming city of Évora. Our girl’s trip through Portugal just kept getting better, with incredible history, cute streets, and memories we’ll be talking about for years. This part of the trip took us to some of the country’s best-preserved Roman ruins and along Portugal’s fantastic highways—perfect for a road trip.
A Stop at the Roman Ruins of Conímbriga
On the way to Évora, we made a stop at the Roman ruins of Conímbriga. It’s one of the largest and most well-preserved Roman settlements in Portugal, and it did not disappoint. We strolled through mosaic-covered floors, ancient baths, and grand villas, soaking in the history and marveling at how advanced the Romans were. It’s crazy to think about what life must have been like there over 2,000 years ago. It was a hot day but we didn’t let that stop us from taking in nearly every square inch of the site!
Smooth Sailing on Portugal’s Highways
The drive to Évora was so smooth, thanks to Portugal’s modern and well-maintained highways. With generous speed limits and barely any traffic, it was an easy drive (albeit a little boring at times). Driving in a foreign country wasn’t as difficult as we expected as it wasn’t hard to pick up on the rules of the road. However, there was one sign that wasn’t immediately obvious to us. There were several times that we approached a warning sign so we reduced our speed and kept a look out for the danger. However, after each encounter, there was never anything obvious to note. After a while, we noticed that the warning was immediately before a turn in the highway! What?! Warning for a turn?! Being used to driving in Newfoundland, it was no wonder it took us a while to put that one together! Having a car made everything so much easier though, and we were loving the freedom to stop and explore whenever we wanted.
Checking In: The Noble House Boutique Hotel
When we arrived in Évora, we checked into the Noble House Boutique Hotel, which turned out to be an absolute gem. It’s right in the heart of the city, along a gorgeous little alleyway, so everything we wanted to see was just a short walk away. The hotel itself is a blend of historic charm and modern comfort, with air conditioned rooms and charming, antique furnishings. The staff were super friendly too, which made our stay even better.
Visiting the Chapel of Bones
One of the main sites on our list in Évora was the Chapel of Bones (“Capela dos Ossos”). This place is equal parts creepy and fascinating, with its walls covered in thousands of human bones and skulls. It’s definitely a little eerie, but also a powerful reminder of how fleeting life is. The craftsmanship in the chapel was amazing, and it’s one of those places you just have to see to believe.
Marveling at the Nativity Collection
As part of the entrance fee to the chapel, we were able to view the nativity collection, with beautifully crafted nativity scenes from all over the world. Each one was so detailed, and it was fascinating to see how different cultures interpret the nativity story. It wasn’t something we expected to find, but it ended up being such a cool part of this stop.
The Iconic Roman Temple
We couldn’t leave Évora without visiting the Roman Temple, also known as the Temple of Diana. The towering Corinthian columns are breathtaking, and it’s amazing how much of the structure has stood the test of time. It felt so unusual to see this towering, ancient structure in the middle of a town in Portugal but it was a great reminder of how societies and cultures evolve over time. The only constant thing about life is change!
Wandering Gorgeous Alleyways and Cobblestone Streets
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