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[edit]
By bus[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
It's 200 km from Lisbon.
Get around[edit]
All sights inside the city walls can be easily reached on foot.
See[edit]
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[edit]
Buy[edit]
Eat[edit]
Drink[edit]
Sleep[edit]
- 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
- Camping Os Anjos (campismo rural), Estrada da senhora da saude (20 km from Elvas), ☏ +351 965236625, ✉ info@campingosanjos.com. First campsite in Portugal, over the Spanish border, 14 km from Badajoz.
Go next[edit]
Évora, Portalegre, Campo Maior, Vila Viçosa, Estremoz, Castelo de Vide, Marvão, and Badajoz in Spain.