Évora, Chapel of Bones & Megaliths Day Trip from Lisbon with Lunch
- DurationFull day
- Daily
- Group
- Pickup available
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Overview
Discover the Alentejo on a full-day shared tour from Lisbon with hotel pickup. You spend the day in Évora, a UNESCO-listed walled town packed with Roman, medieval and Renaissance sights, including the Roman Temple and the unforgettable Chapel of Bones, and then head into the countryside to see megaliths that are older than Stonehenge. It suits history lovers, couples and families who want a relaxed day away from the city.
Highlights
- Hotel pickup in Lisbon and comfortable transport to the Alentejo
- Évora's UNESCO-listed old town with its Roman Temple and cathedral
- The Chapel of Bones in the Church of São Francisco
- Prehistoric megalithic sites in the Alentejo countryside
- A break for lunch in Évora's historic centre
- Shared full-day tour, easy for first-time visitors
Full Description
Évora's historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Évora is the capital of the Alentejo and one of the best-preserved historic towns in Portugal, listed by UNESCO in 1986. Inside its old walls you find Roman, Moorish, medieval and Renaissance layers side by side, and the whole centre is compact enough to explore on foot, which is why a day trip from Lisbon to Évora works so well.
Giraldo Square is the town's social heart, and from there narrow whitewashed streets lead to the cathedral, the university and the Roman Temple, often called the Temple of Diana, one of the best-preserved Roman monuments on the Iberian Peninsula. There is a break for lunch in the old town, where Alentejo cooking is hearty and simple.
The Chapel of Bones (Capela dos Ossos)
The Chapel of Bones, inside the Church of São Francisco, is Évora's most unusual sight. Built in the 16th century by Franciscan monks, its walls and pillars are decorated with the bones and skulls of thousands of people, arranged as a reminder of how short life is. An inscription above the entrance carries that message.
Many people ask whether the Chapel of Bones is worth visiting, and the answer is almost always yes: it is small, quick to see and unforgettable, and it is remarkably calm rather than frightening. Entry tickets for monuments are paid on the spot unless your option lists them, so please check the booking panel.
The megaliths of the Alentejo
The countryside around Évora holds some of the oldest monuments in Europe. Neolithic communities began raising standing stones here roughly 7,000 years ago, in some cases long before Stonehenge, and the Almendres Cromlech, a large oval of granite stones on a hillside, is the best known.
Seen among cork oaks and olive groves, these megaliths give a very different feel from the churches in town, and your guide explains how they were used to mark the seasons and honour the dead. Wear shoes suited to short walks on uneven ground, and remember that the sites are open-air, so shade is limited.
Itinerary
- Hotel pickup in LisbonMeet your guide and set off for the Alentejo in a shared vehicle.
- Megalithic sitesVisit prehistoric standing stones in the countryside near Évora.
- Évora old townGuided walk through the historic centre, including the Roman Temple and cathedral area.
- Chapel of BonesSee the unusual chapel decorated with human bones.
- Lunch breakFree time to eat in Évora's old town.
- Return to LisbonDrive back and drop-off in the Lisbon area; the exact times are confirmed before the tour.
What's included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Lisbon
- Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking guide
- Guided walk through the historic centre of Évora
- Visit to the megalithic sites near Évora
Not included
- Personal expenses
- Tips
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Families with children — a child price for ages 3–11
- Travellers without a car — hotel pickup is included
- Food lovers
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.7/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
Not suitable for
- Travellers with limited mobility, as Évora has cobbled streets and the megalith sites are on uneven ground
Meeting point
The option offered here includes hotel pickup in Lisbon. Your pickup time and location are confirmed the evening before the tour, so please supply your hotel details when booking and be ready at the hotel entrance. Please have a reachable phone number in case the driver needs to contact you.
Important information
- Wear comfortable shoes suitable for cobbled streets and uneven paths.
- Bring sunscreen, a hat and water in summer; there is limited shade at the megalith sites.
- The Chapel of Bones has quiet, respectful conditions; please be discreet.
- Lunch and monument tickets are paid on the spot unless your booked option states otherwise; check the details in the booking panel.
- Opening hours change by season and day, and some sites close on certain days, so the order of stops can vary.
- Bring some cash or a card for lunch and small purchases.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Évora and megaliths day trip cost?
The price depends on your date and passenger age. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, adult and child.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, the option offered here is a shared full-day tour with hotel pickup in Lisbon.
How long is the day trip from Lisbon to Évora?
It is a full day. Évora is about an hour and a half from Lisbon by road, and we confirm the exact timings before departure.
Is lunch included?
Please check the details of the option in the booking panel. There is a break for lunch in Évora's old town, and where a meal is not listed as included, it is paid separately.
Are the Chapel of Bones tickets included?
Entry tickets are not assumed to be included unless your option says so. Please check the details in the booking panel; tickets can otherwise be bought on the spot.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes for most children, though the Chapel of Bones may unsettle very young ones. The day is long, so consider their stamina.
What should I wear or bring?
Comfortable shoes, sun protection, water and some money for lunch and entrance fees.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Often yes, subject to availability. Choose your date in the booking panel.
Is Évora worth a day trip from Lisbon?
Yes. Its UNESCO old town, Roman Temple and Chapel of Bones make it one of the best day trips from Lisbon.
What are the megaliths near Évora?
They are prehistoric standing stones raised by Neolithic communities thousands of years ago, including the well-known Almendres Cromlech.
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