Evora, Portugal - April 6, 2021

We recently learned that due to Covid, "wild" camping is no longer allowed and that there can be steep fines if you park for a night in an unregulated area. Another small hurdle to travelling by car or camper in Portugal is figuring out the toll system.  After some research, Herman was able to link a credit card to the toll system for 30 days, so we should be good to go. We tend to try and avoid the toll roads simply because they are generally less scenic, but also because the camper does not have that much power, so we cannot drive over 100 kph anyway. 

 We arrived to the outskirts of Évora around noon and easily found the municipal parking area for campers. Évora oozes history. This is the capital city of Portugal's south-central Alentejo region. There is a saying that if you kick a rock in Évora, you may be unearthing an archaeological treasure. The historical center of the walled city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We walked through a green park sandwiched between the massive city walls and then came upon peacocks in the ancient palace. We meandered the cobbled streets without any fixed itinerary and enjoyed seeing people out in cafes. After an 8 week lock down, the energy of everyday life is so exciting! The jumble of architecture and history here is phenomenal. It is possible to come across Roman ruins and around the consecutive corners are Gothic, Moorish, Manueline windows, doorways, or whole buildings. There are numerous large cobbled open plazas each decorated with its own central fountain. 

Wisteria everywhere, look carefully to see the crenelated city walls

In the former palace gardens, there is a peacock ready to impress its mate




People out enjoying the first day easing after 8 week lockdown! 

Looking back at the palace nowadays a museum

Wandering Evora at night

An arcade with a fresco on main shopping street

This is part of the aqueduct! Too low for a car to drive under!

Houses built into the openings of the aqueduct

Roman ruins of the Roman Temple of Evora


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