Roman Temple of Évora

Archaeological Site Well-preserved Roman temple in Évora's historic center

In Évora’s historic centre a well-preserved Roman temple of granite columns anchors the Roman-era forum; tourists explore surrounding medieval streets, the cathedral and nearby Évora Museum within the UNESCO-listed old town.

Main image

The Roman Temple of Évora is a well-preserved Roman religious monument in the historic center of Évora, Portugal, dating to the 1st century AD. Its surviving columned façade is one of the most recognizable Roman remains on the Iberian Peninsula.

The site is notable for its standing Corinthian columns and the stone podium that mark the temple’s original layout. The temple is compact and sits within the dense street pattern of Évora’s old town, where it is visible from adjacent public spaces.

The temple was built during the Roman period when Évora was an important urban centre and later survived through re-use and adaptation in the medieval and modern periods. Over time it became incorporated into the urban fabric and was conserved as an iconic antiquity.

The monument sits in central Évora, within walking distance of the cathedral and main squares, and forms part of the city’s UNESCO-listed historic core in the Alentejo region of Portugal.

  • Popular name: Often called the Temple of Diana in popular usage, though there is no firm ancient dedication to that goddess recorded in the evidence.
  • UNESCO setting: Located within Évora's compact old town and easily viewed from adjacent streets and piazzas, it is part of the city's UNESCO World Heritage ensemble.

What to See #

  • Columned portico: A row of well-preserved Corinthian columns standing on a podium that form the most visible remnant of the Roman temple within Évora's historic center.
  • Podium and cella remains: The raised stone platform and cella footprint that mark the temple's original plan and reflect its Roman construction techniques.
Roman Temple of Évora
Roman Temple of Évora (Templo Romano / Templo de Diana), Évora, Évora District, Portugal
38.5726, -7.9073

How to Get to Roman Temple of Évora #

The Roman Temple (Templo Romano / Temple of Diana) is in Évora’s compact historic centre. Évora is served by regional trains and buses from Lisbon (journey about 1.5 hours), and the temple is an easy walk from Évora’s main bus and train stops - expect about a 10-20 minute walk into the old town depending on where you arrive. By car Évora is approximately 130 km east of Lisbon (around 1.5 hours on the main highways); once in the historic centre the temple is on pedestrian streets and short walking distances.

Tips for Visiting Roman Temple of Évora #

  • Visit at sunrise or late afternoon when the granite columns take on strong relief and guided tour groups are smaller, making for better photos and quieter inspection.
  • The temple sits in Évora's historic centre close to the cathedral-approach on foot and circle the monument to view it from several angles, since access to the core site is limited and most close‑up views are from outside the low enclosure.
  • Combine your visit with the nearby Museu de Évora to see archaeological finds from the site; many visitors see only the standing columns and miss the museum context.

Best Time to Visit Roman Temple of Évora #

Visit in spring or autumn to avoid the intense Alentejo summer heat while exploring the Roman temple and cathedral area.

Spring
Mar-May · 12-26°C
Warm, pleasant days ideal for walking Évora's historic centre and Roman remains.
Summer
Jun-Aug · 25-36°C
Often very hot inland - visit early or late in the day to avoid heat and peak visitor times.
Winter
Dec-Feb · 6-15°C
Mild to cool and much quieter, a good time to explore the city without summer heat.

Weather & Climate near Roman Temple of Évora #

Climate

Roman Temple of Évora's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 5°C to 32°C. Moderate rainfall (646 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 32 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
45°
Warmest Month
-5°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

60 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
14°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

89 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.7h daylight

February

February is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

64 Good

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
15°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

71 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.6h daylight

March

March is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

74 Very Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
18°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

51 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
19°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

63 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
13.1h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm).

86 Excellent

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
10° 23°
65%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

54 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.8
UV Index
Very High
14.1h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 13°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

92 Ideal

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
13° 28°
57%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

23 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
14.6h daylight

July

July is mild with highs of 32°C and lows of 15°C. The driest month with just 4 mm and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
15° 32°
52%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

4 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
14.4h daylight

August

August is the warmest month with highs of 32°C and lows of 15°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

98 Ideal

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
15° 32°
51%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

5 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.0
UV Index
Very High
13.5h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 14°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

92 Ideal

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
15° 28°
58%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

29 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
12.3h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

82 Excellent

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
12° 23°
71%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

71 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
11.1h daylight

November

November is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
17°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

84 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.0h daylight

December

December is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (102 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

60 Good

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
14°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

102 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.4h daylight

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