A small-group day trip from Lisbon pairing Évora with Monsaraz. The group walks the historic centre of the Alentejo capital, then rides on to the hilltop village above the Guadiana plain. A wine tasting is part of the route before the return.
Overview
This full-day trip runs out of Lisbon and pairs the UNESCO-listed historic centre of Évora with the hilltop village of Monsaraz and a regional wine tasting. It lasts about 8 hours, starting at 08:00 from Praça da Figueira in Lisbon, next to the equestrian statue of Dom João the First, and ending at Praça do Marquês de Pombal. Transport is in an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional guide, and the standard group is capped at 8 participants per van, though at certain times a larger vehicle may be used.
The day is built around Évora's headline monuments. The Capela dos Ossos gets a guided visit of about 30 minutes with admission included, while the Templo Romano, the Sé de Évora, the Igreja de São Francisco and the Praça do Giraldo are passed by along the route. Free time in Évora allows for lunch at the traveller's own expense, since meals and drinks are not part of the package.
The afternoon shifts to the Alentejo countryside. After a drive through the Reguengos de Monsaraz area, the tour stops for about an hour at a wine shop in Évora for a regional wine tasting, with admission included. Travellers who want a structured day out of Lisbon that pairs Évora's monuments with a wine tasting are the natural fit here. A minimum of 3 participants is needed for the tour to run, and the guide may work in more than one language depending on the group.
What's Included
Included
- Entrance to the Chapel of Bones with guided visit (if option selected)
- Regional Wine Tasting in Monsaraz
- Évora's Main Monuments in (Roman Temple, Giraldo Square, Évora Cathedral)
- Free time to enjoy and lunch at Évora's Historic Center
- Professional tour guide
- Pick-up and drop-off at selected location (only with private option)
- Pick-up at selected location (only with shared tour option with pick-up)
- Transport in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle
- Travel insurance compliant with Portuguese regulations
Not Included
- Gratuities
- Meals and drinks
- Personal expenses
Itinerary
- Meet In Praça da FigueiraMeet the guide at 08:00 next to the equestrian statue in Praça da Figueira, Lisbon. Look for the blue and yellow flag.
- Drive To ÉvoraTravel to Évora in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle with the tour guide.
- Capela dos OssosA guided visit of about 30 minutes inside the Chapel of Bones, with the admission ticket included.
- Évora Monuments WalkPass by the Templo Romano, the Sé de Évora, the Igreja de São Francisco and the Praça do Giraldo, with free time afterwards for lunch and independent exploring in the historic centre. Lunch is at the traveller's own cost.
- Drive Through Reguengos de MonsarazContinue through the Reguengos de Monsaraz area toward the hilltop village of Monsaraz, where whitewashed houses overlook the Alqueva Lake.
- Wine TastingA stop of about 1 hour at the Ervideira Wine Shop in Évora for a regional Alentejo wine tasting, with admission included.
- Return To LisbonThe tour ends at Praça do Marquês de Pombal in Lisbon.
What To Expect From The Tour
A few practical points shape the day, from seating in the van to what to wear for the walking portions.
- Wear Good Shoes. The tour runs about 8 hours, with a guided visit inside the Capela dos Ossos and free time in Évora's historic centre. Comfortable shoes are the practical choice for a day of this length.
- Plan For Lunch. Meals and drinks are not included, and free time in Évora's historic centre is the lunch window. Travellers choose where to eat and settle the bill themselves, so it helps to browse with an open mind.
- Van Seating. The standard group is limited to 8 participants per van, and the listing says the maximum is 8 travellers. One reviewer found the back row cramped for three adults on a full van, so travellers with long legs may want to board early or ask about seating.
- Fitness And Access. The listing asks for a moderate level of physical fitness and states the tour is not wheelchair accessible. It is also not recommended for travellers with back problems or pregnant travellers.
- Children. Infants must sit on laps, and infant seats are available. Children over 1 and under 12, or under 135 cm, must use a suitable child seat by law, but baby seats for children under 1 year are not provided and must be brought by the customer.
- Bring Cash And Camera. Gratuities and personal expenses are excluded, so anything bought on top of the itinerary, such as the Alentejo honey one reviewer mentioned buying, is paid separately. Monsaraz overlooks Alqueva Lake, so a camera is worth keeping within reach.
Common issues. The tour needs a minimum of 3 participants to operate; if that minimum is not met, travellers are offered a different date or experience or a full refund. Two reviewers reported that the second stop was changed at short notice, with one describing a substitution for Arroiols due to a temporary closure, and one describing a wine and olive oil experience that fell short of expectations. One reviewer said the group was larger than expected and the bus uncomfortable, and another found the pace of driving concerning. The guide may be multilingual depending on the group composition.
Common Questions
Where does the tour meet and end?
The meeting point is Praça da Figueira in Lisbon, next to the equestrian statue of Dom João the First, at 08:00. The guide holds a blue and yellow flag. The tour ends at Praça do Marquês de Pombal in Lisbon.
Is hotel pickup included?
Pickup and drop-off at a selected location is only included with the private option, and pickup at a selected location is only included with the shared tour option that specifies pickup. Otherwise travellers make their own way to Praça da Figueira.
Is the Chapel of Bones entry included?
Yes, the entrance to the Chapel of Bones with a guided visit is included, provided that option is selected. The wine tasting admission is also included.
Is lunch included?
No. Meals and drinks are not included, and gratuities and personal expenses are also excluded. Free time in Évora's historic centre is set aside so travellers can have lunch on their own.
How big is the group?
The standard group is limited to 8 participants per vehicle, with a stated maximum of 8 travellers. At certain times the tour may be run in a larger vehicle with more participants.
What is the cancellation policy?
A full refund is available if the booking is cancelled at least 24 hours before the start time, based on local time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted. If the tour is cancelled because the minimum participant number is not met, travellers are offered a different date or experience or a full refund.