LISBON CASTLE FIELD GUIDE
Évora and Arraiolos in a Day: UNESCO streets, a chapel of bones and a centuries‑old embroidery workshop
A private, 8‑hour guided day trip from Lisbon that pairs Évora’s Roman and medieval landmarks with a hands‑on Arraiolos rug embroidery workshop.
Évora and Arraiolos in a Day: UNESCO streets, a chapel of bones and a centuries‑old embroidery workshop.
Set in the warm plains of the Alentejo, Évora is a compact museum‑city where Roman columns, a Gothic cathedral and a macabre Chapel of Bones sit within narrow, sunlit streets; after lunch the tour moves to nearby Arraiolos, a village that grew beside its castle and still hand‑stitches the embroidered rugs that made it famous.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Évora’s Roman Temple and Cathedral
Explore Évora’s layered past on visits to the 1st‑century Roman Temple and the imposing cathedral that anchor the city’s UNESCO‑listed core.
The Chapel of Bones and Praça do Giraldo
Walk through Giraldo Square and into São Francisco to see the Chapel of Bones, a striking reminder of the city’s religious and civic history.
Hands‑on Arraiolos rug workshop
In Arraiolos you’ll learn traditional stitched techniques from a local embroiderer and begin an Arraiolos rug using a supplied kit of canvas, wool, pattern and needle.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
You depart Lisbon in the morning for a private drive into the Alentejo, spend the first part of the day with a local guide visiting Évora’s principal monuments and enjoying free time for lunch, then move on to Arraiolos for a focused workshop where a local embroiderer walks you step‑by‑step through beginning your own rug.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this private day trip suits — and who should consider alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Departure is at 8:30 from your hotel or accommodation in Lisbon; the full experience lasts approximately 8 hours and includes private transport with Wi‑Fi, bottled water and air conditioning. Pickup and drop‑off are available within Lisbon; you may request a different drop‑off location in the city.
Bring a willingness to learn—the workshop provides a kit containing canvas, wool, pattern and needle; lunch and monument entrance fees are not included.
The tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible; infant seats are available and service animals are allowed.
Included: private transportation with driver/guide, personal accompaniment, Wi‑Fi on board, bottled water, air‑conditioned vehicle, pickup/drop‑off in Lisbon, the Arraiolos workshop with kit, and liability and personal accident insurance per current law; lunch, monument entrance tickets and extra expenses are not included.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour?
The experience lasts approximately 8 hours.
Where and when does the tour start?
The tour departs at 8:30 from your hotel or accommodation in Lisbon; pickup and drop‑off within Lisbon are provided and you can request a different drop‑off location in the city.
Is the workshop suitable for beginners?
Yes — the workshop walks you step‑by‑step and supplies a kit with canvas, wool, pattern and needle so you can begin your Arraiolos rug.
What is included and what isn’t?
Included: private transport with driver/guide, accompaniment, on‑board Wi‑Fi, bottled water, air‑conditioning, pickup/drop‑off in Lisbon, the Arraiolos workshop with kit, and required liability and accident insurance. Not included: lunch, monument entrance tickets and any additional unscheduled expenses.
What is the cancellation policy?
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
Is the tour accessible for wheelchairs or strollers?
Yes — the tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible; folding wheelchairs are accommodated and infant seats are available.