Elvas is a city in the Alentejo region of Portugal. The Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Get in
By bus
1 Terminal Rodoviário de Elvas, Rua do Património 1. Just over 1 hour from Évora (11.90€ / 10.00€ students) and around 3 hours from Lisbon (17.60€ / 14.80€ students).
By train
Elvas train station is 3 km outside the city centre. There is one daily train connection from Lisbon by changing at Entroncamento with a total journey time of 4:30 hours (15.60€). The train continues to Badajoz, Spain.
By car
It's 200 km from Lisbon.
Get around
All sights inside the city walls can be easily reached on foot.
See
Elvas is very close to Badajoz, Spain and has been fortified at different times. That makes it worth while to wander round looking at the work of different periods.
- 1 Amoreira Aqueduct (Aqueduto da Amoreira). The 16th-century aqueduct is a great architectural view - five stories in parts - and it's staggering to see how narrow was its channel. Free.
- 2 Castle of Elvas (Castelo de Elvas), Rua da Parada do Castelo 4-8, ☏ +351 268 626 403. Tu–Sa 09:00–18:00. Fortified castle for defense purposes. Provides panoramic views of the city and surroundings.
- 3 Nossa Senhora da Graça Fort (Forte de Nossa Senhora da Graça), Alcáçova (3 km uphill from the city centre), ☏ +351 268 625 228. Tu–Su 10:00–17:00. One of the two fortresses outside the city, with multiple layers of defensive walls. Located on a large hill it provides great views back to Elvas and over to Spain, especially from the balcony of the governor's palace. 5€ (2.50€ reduced).
- 4 Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral (Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Assunção), Praça da República. Manueline-style cathedral on the main square.
- 5 Santa Luzia Fort (Forte de Santa Luzia) (1 km from the city centre), ☏ +351 268 628 357. Tu 13:00–17:00, W–Su 10:00–17:00. One of the two fortresses outside the city walls.
Do
Buy
Eat
Drink
Sleep
- 1 Guest house Garcia de Orta, Avenida de Garcia da Orta 3A, ☏ +351 96 880 9512, reservas@rgarciadeorta.com.
- 2 SL Hotel Santa Luzia, Avenida de Badajoz (Assunção), ☏ +351 268 637 470, +351 268 637 472, fax: +351 268 622 127, reservas@slhotel-elvas.pt.
- 3 Hotel Dom Luis Elvas, Avenida de Badajoz, ☏ +351 268 636 710, geral@hoteldluis-elvas.com. 85 rooms with private bathrooms. Garden, outdoor swimming pool, bar with terrace, 24-Hour front desk, living room, daily newspapers
Campsite : Camping Os Anjos (Campismo Rural) 1,5 km from Campo Maior and 20 minutes drive from Elvas tel 268688138
Go next
Évora, Portalegre, Campo Maior, Vila Viçosa, Estremoz, Castelo de Vide, Marvão, and Badajoz in Spain.