Elvas

Elvas belongs to the municipality of Portalegre, has twelve kilometers distance from Spain and is separated from it by the Caia and Guadiana rivers. Its foundation got lost in time. When exploring the heritage, you will notice that it is very diversified: dolmens, Roman objects found in excavations, two castles and several churches are some of the local treasures. Between Portuguese and Arab disputes, it was only in 1230 that Dom Sancho managed the definitive conquest of Elvas. Many other political and military stories, that extol this city, are part of its military past. Agriculture has always been the main livelihood of the population and most of the people have large properties. It was possible to adopt an irrigation culture, which came to diversify the endogenous products, thanks to the construction of Barragem do Caia dam. The local trade depends on the Spanish given the proximity to Spain, who in turn take advantage of the weekends to get to know the city and the hotel units in the region. In addition to its heritage, Elvas has cultural spaces for all tastes. Good food is a bit everywhere and includes delicacies such as: the migas (dish made with leftover bread) with spare ribs, lamb stew, carne de porco à alentejana (typical dish made with fried pork meat, fried potatoes and clams), escalda de peixe do rio (fish dish) and the pezinhos de coentrada (kind of soup made with pork feet and flour and served with toasted bread). In sweets, try the famous Ameixas de Elvas (plum jam), which are in every menu; sericaia (kind of cake made with lemon and cinnamon), azevias (sweets made with brandy and with a bean, cinnamon and lemon filling), nogados (sweets made with brandy and soaked in honey), enxovalhada (kind of cake made with lemon and cinnamon) and filhós (fried sweets made with brandy).

What to do in Elvas

Travel Guide

Up to date tourist information about the city's top attractions

Military Tourism: 12 locations not to be missed in Portugal

Portugal has a long tradition of castles, maritime forts and other military constructions. Discover a Military Tourism …

Where to eat in Elvas

Where to sleep in Elvas

SL Hotel Santa Luzia
SL Hotel Santa Luzia

4 star

The SL Santa Luzia Hotel occupies the building that, since 1942, it housed the first Pousada de Portugal. This charming Hotel offers 25 elegant rooms very well…

Monte do Vale
Monte do Vale

Integrated in the village of Agualva, in the Alto Alentejo and seventeen miles from Elvas, the Mount of the Valley conserves itself the neatest features of Ale…

Casa da Ermida de Santa Catarina
Casa da Ermida de Santa Catarina

Homestead located six kilometers from the locality of Santa Eulalia, located on a peninsula washed by the waters of the Albufeira of Caia, in the municipality …

Near Elvas

Sousel

Sousel


Located north of Alentejo Central, the municipality of Sousel does border on the North with the municipalities of Avis and Border, to the East, with …

Crato

Crato


Belonging to the district of Portalegre, the municipality of Crato is located in Alto Alentejo and is characterized for being picturesque and full of…

Arronches

Arronches


Situated in the alto Alentejo, the municipality of Arronches is integrated in Portalegre's district. From the three parishes belonging to the municip…

Gavião

Gavião


The municipality of Gavião belongs to the district of Portalegre, in the North Alentejo, at the confluence of the Alentejo with Ribatejo and Beira In…