A fortified town in Portugal's Alentejo region, known for its 16th-century walls. Home to a Gothic cathedral and Renaissance palaces, with local cuisine featuring salt cod dishes.
Elvas, a city in eastern Portugal, features attractions such as the star-shaped fortifications, the Amoreira Aqueduct, and the Fort of Santa Luzia. As you walk through the narrow cobblestone streets, you will discover ornate churches like Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Assunção. The city is surrounded by plains with olive groves extending towards the Spanish border.
Exploring the Fortifications
Elvas' star-shaped walls are recognized as the world's largest bulwarked dry ditch fortification system. Walk along sections of the walls to enjoy views of the city and countryside. Visit the outlying Fort of Santa Luzia, which contains a military museum displaying weapons and uniforms from the 17th to 19th centuries.
Amoreira Aqueduct
The 16th century Amoreira Aqueduct stretches for over 7 km, with sections rising up to 30 meters high. Francisco de Arruda, the architect behind Lisbon's iconic Belém Tower, designed this structure to supply water to the fortified city. You can walk alongside portions of the aqueduct as it enters Elvas.
Historic City Center
Praça da República forms the heart of Elvas' old town. This main square is lined with cafes and dominated by the former cathedral, Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Assunção. Duck down the narrow lanes radiating from the square to find hidden plazas and centuries-old churches adorned with azulejo tiles.
Local Flavors
Try regional Alentejo dishes like açorda (bread soup) and migas (fried breadcrumbs) at traditional tascas in the old town. Elvas is known for its plums, which are candied and sold as "ameixas d'Elvas." Pick up a box of these sweet treats to take home as an edible souvenir.
Getting There and Around
Elvas is located about 230 km east of Lisbon. Buses run regularly from Lisbon's Sete Rios station, with the journey taking around 3 hours. Explore the compact old town on foot. To reach the outlying forts, consider driving or taking a taxi.
