Experience in Evora, Portugal by Md Arif

What is it like to live in Evora? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Living Evora is little bit boring, since it's a very small city so there are very few places to move around. It's actually a fort city with many architectural triumph, for what it is announced as a heritage city by UNESCO. Evora was historically a major trading and religious centre, a former importance that is reflected in the sheer variety of tourist sites, all of which are all conveniently contained within the city’s ancient walls.

It's obviously a tourist attractive city. In the city's historic center stands the ancient Roman Temple of Evora (also called the Temple of Diana). Nearby, whitewashed houses surround the Cathedral of Evora, a massive Gothic structure begun in the 12th century.

What is the student lifestyle like in Evora?

Student lifestyle is more or less like the typical student life, It's nothing unique here. Students are used to hangout some common places, likely- Praca do Giraldo (city center) is the common meeting place for students, Barue is the place for drinking and eating in day and night time.

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But, if you would like to stay alone and don't like big groups, then you will find the place very awkward because Portuguese students always hangout in big groups. And the ragging at the beginning of semester is severe in this city, you will have lot of fun to see the sarcastic attitude of group of students while ragging.

How much does it cost to live in Evora?

You can manage to book an accommodation within the range of 180-250 euros. And you can cover the food expenses within the range of 150-200 euros.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Evora? Is there any advice you can give?

It's not much difficult to find accommodation in Evora. You can book a place through the help of ERASMUS students association(ESN) group. Or you can find many places by searching online. Eventually you can find a place by searching on spot while you are staying here. But, it's better to book something before reaching here, since I saw some of the students overpaid to the hotels while looking for the house to rent.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

A large part of the traditional food you can eat in Evora is common to the other areas in Alentejo. But there are some typical dishes in the district which you can taste, almost exclusively, in Evora restaurants. Here are some suggestions.

• Soups: Sopa de toucinho (Lard Soup), Sopa de cação (Dogfish Soup), (Sopa de beldroegas (Purslane soup), Sopa de tomate (Tomato Soup), Açorda à alentejana (Alentejo style Açorda), Gaspacho à alentejana (Alentejo style Gazpacho)
• Fish and meat main dishes: River fishes, different ways to prepare pork and lamb, Ensopado de borrego (Lamb Stew), Cabeça de xara (Head cheese), Pezinhos de porco de coentrada (Pork’s feet with coriander)
• Empadas de galinha (Chicken pot pies), Perdiz à Montemor (Montemor partridge), Hare and other game dishes, Several types of crumbs (migas), Sargalheta de toucinho à moda de Évora (Lard dish Evora style)
• Desserts / Confectionery: Encharcada from Santa Clara Convent, Lard cakes from Arraiolos, Trouxas de ovos, Cernelha de Montemor-o-Novo, Bolo de mel (Honey cake), Queijinhos do Céu de Mora, Granadas de Vendas Novas, Manjar e Porquinho de chocolate de Moura, Tibornas, Pão de rala, Pão de ló (Sponge cake), Bolo Joana do Convento de Santa Clara, Sericaia, Torreão Real de Évora, Bolo Rolão, Queijadas de Évora, Toucinho da Madre Abadessa, Filhós enroladas

What places would you recommend visiting in Evora?

Roman Diana Temple, Cathedral of Evora, Intriguing prehistoric standing stones, the macabre Chapel of Bones, Mesue de Evora.

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Is it good to eat out in Evora? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Tábua do Naldo, Alibaba (for falafel and Kebab), Casa das pitas, Restaurante Páteo, Restaurante Café Alentejo, Restaurante Botequim Da Mouraria etc.

Is the nightlife good in Evora? Where is good to go?

The nightlife is really awesome for students, as they drink more and good at random speaking with loud voice. For drinking you can go to Barue, Harmonia, Tetos and many other street side bars. For disco you can choose between Capitulo and Praxis. There are no several options for disco.

What advice would you give future students heading to Evora?

Try to maintain a group if you want to enjoy the life in Evora. Otherwise you will be very alone and will be considered as a stranger in public places.