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Elvas Tour – A Military History

Tour Details

The historic city of Elvas was distinguished by UNESCO in 2012 as a World Cultural Heritage Site. This distinction was due to the fact that this fortress city, on the border between Portugal and Spain, has the largest defensive structures of the bastioned type, in the world, with its characteristic star-shaped walls. The city’s fortifications, through which the Moorish and medieval periods are crossed, as well as Renaissance innovations and, due to the regular modernization of structures, the advance of time until the 19th century, are “one of the most important cases of overlapping functions and of evolution of strategic and military conceptions throughout history “, referred the proposal then sent to the National Commission of UNESCO.

Stage of countless battles, between Christians and Muslims, between Portuguese and Spanish or between English and Portuguese troops against the French army of Napoleon, visiting Elvas is to know the evolution, strategy, technique and military history in the last 1000 years. A must for lovers of military tourism, 1 hour from Évora.

Main Attractions

Defensive Structures Bastioned

Medieval Walls

Dominican Church

Synagogue

English Cemetery

Tour Themes

Medieval Age

Military History

Art History

Architecture/Urbanism

Religious/Spiritual

Tour Duration

2,5 Hours

Tour Difficulty

Medium. The entire route is done on foot. It is recommended to wear comfortable and suitable shoes and clothes.

Price Starts at

€104

Includes entrance tickets to monuments. The price includes private visits for one or two people. For additional person adds €25. The visit is free for children under 12, when accompanied by their parents. Transfer service is available, price on request.

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What Portugal Cultural Experience Can Offer You

Experienced Guides

All of our guides are carefully selected. They are polite, fun and above all know all aspects of each region like no one else, adjusting and personalizing visits to your interests and giving you excellent tips and suggestions, because they are all local guides.

None of them will give you information based on Wikipedia or tourist brochures. All visits are made based on a search for detailed, rigorous information, thematic books, municipal archives and academic articles. We also add doses of imagination and personal opinions to each visit and we always look for good mood and whenever possible we promote the interaction of the visitor with the patrimonial heritage, with their opinions and knowledge, in the interpretation and the stories told.

All the training of our guides results from a vast knowledge of history, patrimony and universal and local culture as well as training in technical aspects of conducting visits of heritage interpretation in a tourist context. All have higher education in areas as diverse as history, archaeology, biology, cultural tourism, heritage, literature, wine tourism, geology and education.

The languages spoken are Portuguese, English, Spanish and French.

All experiences and guides are coordinated by a master in the development of cultural tourism products, with published thesis and academic articles on safeguarding intangible heritage.

Flexible Cancellation

Our cancellation policy is flexible and adjusted to each client and each contracted experience. Generally, for cancellations up to 24 hours before the event, we will refund the entire payment except for services that include accommodation or for services and experiences for private, cooperative or business groups, which have their own cancellation policy.

Suitable For Large Groups

We also make private visits to groups, whether family, friends, tourist companies, organized by hotels, schools, etc. Prices per group are on request and are adapted to the type of experiences or visits intended, with or without inclusion of entrance tickets to the monuments or integrating lunch, dinner or wine tasting before or after the experiences.

We can do photo or video reports, with or without editing work. We do inclusive tours for people with reduced mobility or meal menus for people with dietary restrictions.

We can add on our visits 2 guides (ideal for very large groups or who want guided tours in 2 different languages). We can adapt guided tours to study visits for children or young people of school age, with themes subordinate to the type of education or to a specific subject or discipline.

We organize fun treasure hunts in the historic centers of the cities, historical recreations with theater actors, period costumes, traditional games, workshops or musical entertainment with traditional groups from Cante Alentejano or Fado (UNESCO Heritage) or musical moments of Portuguese pop music.

Guide Tips

All of our guides are fully knowledgeable to give you the most appropriate tips on aspects or services you want to ensure maximum comfort, safety and make your stay as pleasant as possible. Whether you want a massage or spa service, booking and advice on local restaurants, typical local shops, bars for night out, fado houses, yoga or Reiki classes, medical support or local legal advice, ... you can always count on with us. Even after finishing your visit with us, and during your stay in Portugal, you can always ask for our help and advice in any aspect or situation you need. We will do everything to help you the best we can as true friends.

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what our clients say about us

"We had a unique experience with the guide Paulo. He is a great professional with immense charisma and sympathy. He showed interest and care with us throughout the tour. It is very worthwhile and Évora is beautiful."

"In early December, our group of two couples used the services of Paulo and Portugal Cultural Experience. We visited several Megalithic structures and Escoural Cave. Paulo was incredibly knowledgeable about the history, culture, geology, flora, and fauna of the area. I almost felt badly as the four of us peppered him the whole time with questions that he encouraged and graciously and competently answered. This was unquestionably one of the best tours we have taken and I credit Paulo for that. Our only regret was that we did not have time to take other tours offered by Portugal Cultural Experience."

"This guided walking tour by our guide Paulo, was the highlight of our trip to Évora! His knowledge of the history, architecture, and even plants in the city was truly impressive. (His background is biology and geology). His passion and love for Évora was evident. He was very friendly and answered all our questions. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our tour with him. I enjoyed the wine tasting and snacks provided at the end of the tour. We highly recommend Paulo and the Portugal Cultural Experience. You will not be disappointed."

"We had lunch at a local restaurant, enjoyed a wine tasting at a local winemaker’s storefront, and toured to major sites with Paulo. From start to finish was an awesome experience blending the technical, historical, cultural, and flavor of Evora and the Alentejo region. Our lunch included a personal introduction to and recommendations by the chef and owner of the restaurant, with a great meal and desert. As noted, the walking tour covered a significant amount of history, and some very interesting technical details. The wine tasting was very informative and interesting, and of course included good wine, cheese, and sausage. ..."

"Évora Cultural Experience arranged a dinner at a local restaurant followed by a night tour of the city. The dinner was a great experience in a very nice restaurant. The tour guide gave an excellent presentation of local and Portuguese history. Évora is beautifully lit at night, so the night walk (starting at 21:00) was very nice."