Evora is one of Portugal’s oldest cities and a truly amazing place to visit. The entire city has been named a UNESCO world heritage site and contains many beautiful ancient sights worth visiting. You can also choose to stay in some of these historical spots. Some of the best luxury hotels in Evora are housed in buildings steeped in history.
You can stay in converted country homes, convents, palaces, and 200-year old farm buildings. You can eat at world-class restaurants located in old wine cellars. And then drink wine in gothic cellars that used to be water reservoirs.
History buffs can wander around castles, royal residences, archeological sights, chapels, cathedrals, and Roman ruins. Or, why not just luxuriate beside the pool at one of these 5-star luxury hotels?
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Pousada Convento de Evora
What better way to experience the past in this historical city than to completely immerse yourself in it? Stay in a converted convent located in the heart of the historical district. Walk through the vaulted corridors and chapel and then sleep in a cell once occupied by a Loios Monk.
But not to worry, within the walls of this ancient building lie all the newly refurbished trappings of a modern 5-star hotel. Enjoy the swimming pool, sun terrace, bar, elegant salons and restaurant specializing in Portuguese dishes.
The Pousada Convento de Evora is located beside the ancient Roman Temple of Diana, the one-time center of the city’s political, judicial, and financial life. On its other side is the Gothic Cathedral of Evora, the largest medieval cathedral in Portugal. You can also visit the Evora museum, the rather macabre Chapel of Bones, and the Royal Palace of Evora all located within minutes from your hotel.
Address: Largo Conde Vila Flor, 7000-804 Évora, Portugal
Best For: People who want to immerse themselves in history.
Rating: 8.5/10
M’AR De AR Aqueduto
From a convent to a 16th-century palace, Evora has no shortage of historical places to lay your head. And once again it’s located right beside one of Evora’s most impressive sights. As the name might suggest, the M’AR De AR Aqueduto is less than 200m meters from the incredible feat of 16th-century engineering, the Silver Aqueduct. Built to ensure that the important city of Evora never ran out of clean drinking water even in the peak of arid summers. These days you can lie by the sparkling pool of your hotel and gaze up at the wonder of it.
Or head to the indoor pool complete with water cannons, waterfall and water massage chairs all under a glass roof offering views of the orange trees. Keep the aqua theme going with a visit to the Turkish or Vichy bath or have an ‘aqueduct massage’ at the full-service spa. It promises both physical and mental relaxation.
Once you’ve dried off, take a second to admire your hotel, with its beautiful chapel space and domed ceilings. Enjoy your spacious, carefully designed bedroom and city-view balcony. Or stroll into the city itself, where the historical sights are less than a kilometer away. Then return to the exquisite Degust’AR restaurant, run by Head Chef and Alentejo flavor specialist António Nobre. Be sure to sample something special from the on-site wine cellar too!
Address: Rua Cândido Dos Reis, 72/78, 7000-582 Évora, Portugal
Best For: Spa lovers and those who want to be in the heart of the city.
Rating: 8.8/10
Convento do Espinheiro, Historic Hotel & Spa
The second convent on our list, this once has incredible cloisters to stroll through, vaulted ceilings to admire, and a chapel that is quite simply breathtaking. Add the fact that this convent stands in 8 hectares of private land, and you’re in for a stay like nowhere else.
But, as with all the best luxury hotels in Evora, it’s not just about the history. The Convento do Espinheiro has a thoroughly modern side too. The bedrooms – which are more spacious than the converted cells of Pousada Convento de Evora – are decorated in the styles of two different eras for guests to choose from, and each with a modern ensuite bathroom. The hotel has all the amenities you could require, including three swimming pools plus a Turkish bath, spa, steam room, and jacuzzi. And should the urge take you, a fitness center and tennis courts. The hotel is child and pet-friendly and located only a ten-minute drive from the heart of Evora city.
But the real reason to visit is the food and the wine. This converted convent offers daily wine tastings located in the Cisterna, a 15th-century granite water reservoir, which has now been converted into an atmospheric wine cellar. Go from there to the old wine cellar (which is now the restaurant) for an elegant dinner of Portuguese gastronomic delights. Or choose to eat in the second restaurant if you prefer an Italian flavor.
Address: Canaviais, 7005-839 Évora, Portugal
Best For: Food, wine, and history lovers.
Rating: 9.1/10
Quinta Da Espada
A traditional Alentejo ‘monte’ or country house, this 19th-century building stands in its own landscaped grounds with the famous Aquaduct running through its estate. With only a few rooms available, a stay at the Quinta Da Espada feels more like a private guesthouse than a hotel experience. The emphasis here is on personal service and a quiet, secluded stay.
Accommodation is of a rustic-regional style with all furnishings in keeping with the country house’s history. You can choose to book just a room or a one, two, or three-bedroom apartment, which come with kitchenettes for a little more freedom on your vacation. You can enjoy a continental breakfast overlooking the aqueduct and request a traditional Portuguese meal in the evening should you wish.
Spend your days lounging on the spacious sun terrace beside the swimming pool, or take a stroll through the landscaped gardens. The guesthouse provides bikes for cycling tours of the local area and has a personal trainer. Or with the city of Evora only 4 km away, why not take a drive and explore the historic town.
Address: Estrada Évora-Arraiolos 114/4 km4, 7002-501 Évora, Portugal
Best For: Those wanting a peaceful, country house experience.
Rating: 9/10.
L’AND Vineyards
Something a little different from the rest of the accommodations on our list. L’AND Vinyard is no ancient convent or converted palace but a truly unique, architecturally modern, luxury resort. With 30 fully equipped suites and villas offering everything from private pools and fire pits to glass roofs enabling you to sleep under the stars, this is some of the best accommodation available in the luxury hotels of Evora, Portugal.
With an ethos of quality, luxury, and tranquility alongside deep respect for the natural environment in which it stands, this place is for wine and nature lovers, those who crave peace and quiet, and anyone who wants to stay somewhere exquisite. The 5-star resort stands on 6 hectares of functioning vineyards. Guests can wander freely and learn about the certified organic wine-making history and process. Even the spa offers vinotherapy: treatments using products derived from vines and the local grapes.
Offering all the food and wine you could ask for, plus yoga, meditation, hot air balloon rides, and detox programs, you might not want to leave the resort at all. But if you do, you’re only a 20-minute drive from the city of Evora or a cycle ride from nearby Montemor-o-Novo. A visit to this little town is a chance to see beautiful Portuguese buildings, public fountains, and gardens, as well as a picturesque church, convent, and the hilltop Montemor-o-Novo Castle.
Address: Herdade Das Valadas, Estrada Nacional 4, 7050-031 Montemor-o-Novo, Portugal
Best For: Those craving a holistic, secluded retreat in the heart of vineyard luxury
Rating: 8.8/10
São Lourenço do Barrocal
A truly incredible property and easily one of the best luxury hotels in Evora, maybe all of Portugal. Eight generations of the same family have lived in this house for over 200 years. The ethos of history, family, and heritage is prevalent in every element of this stunning property.
A small farming village once lay at the heart of São Lourenço do Barrocal’s 780-hectare estate. This village has been painstakingly renovated into the luxury hotel and retreat that you’ll find there today. But the farm hasn’t been forgotten. This estate still holds a working winery and olive grove. And the vegetable garden’s produce goes straight back into the kitchens and onto your plate.
Guests can choose rooms, suites, or one, two, or three-bedroom cottages. They can sleep by the winery, stay in converted barns, or have their accommodation overlook meadows, vineyards, or farmland. All the houses come with kitchens in case guests would like to cater for themselves.
Every aspect of a stay here can be as peaceful or as active as you like; hike, cycle, or horse ride around the extensive (yes 780 hectares) grounds. Take archeological walks through the estate’s ancient history, go birdwatching, take a hamper filled with local produce for a family picnic or rise above it all in a hot air balloon. Or just stay put and luxuriate in your five-star accommodation, lounge by one of two pools or relax in the spa.
With two bars, a winery, and a shop on-site, you’ll never need to leave the resort. Especially once you’ve sampled the locally sourced food prepared at the world-class restaurant.
Make sure to pick up some of the estate’s signature wines and olive oil to take home with you when you leave.
Address: Herdade do Barrocal, Reguengos de Monsaraz, 7200-177 Monsaraz, Portugal
Best For: Feeling like royalty on this incredible estate.
Rating: 9.6/10
Alentejo Marmòris Hotel & Spa
Every element of the Alentejo Marmòris Hotel & Spa has been designed with style in mind. The swimming pool, sun loungers, bedrooms, common areas, restaurant, and spa are all uniquely elegant and distinctly luxurious. Guests can choose from bedrooms or suites with balconies or courtroom views. Each room comes with a bespoke bathroom made of the superior quality marble that the local region is known for.
Continuing with the marble theme, The Stone Spa at the Alentejo Marmaris was built in a natural marble quarry, and this material is in evidence at every turn. Within this marble temple lies multiple treatment rooms, whirlpool baths, pools, a hammam, and Bruno Vassari treatments that promise guests maximum relaxation.
The best luxury hotels of Evora must also offer the best food in Portugal, and this hotel’s restaurant, Narcissus Fernadesii, does just that. It prides itself on the quality of its locally sourced ingredients and offers a choice of mouthwatering tasting menus paired, of course, with local wines.
The Alentejo Marmoris is located a 45-minute drive away from Evora city with all its attractions. The nearest village is Vila Viçosa which has been described as an open-air museum for its abundance of historic sights. The Royal Palace is a 2-minute walk from the hotel, and the Vila Viçosa Castle is only 6 minutes away.
Address: Largo Gago Coutinho, 7160-214 Vila Viçosa, Portugal
Best For: Soaking in a bespoke marble tub in the lap of luxury.
Rating: 9.2/10