Guidebook for Elvas
Shopping
The closest grocery store. Great wine selection, good seafood, and a pretty decent bread bakery. There are also laundry machines and dryers out front.
Intermarché - Sodielvas - Supermercados, Lda
The closest grocery store. Great wine selection, good seafood, and a pretty decent bread bakery. There are also laundry machines and dryers out front.
While Intermarché is closer, Continente may have a few more specialty items. Not as much as Hipercor or Carrefour in Spain, but some. Both Continente and Lidl can have better produce than Intermarché.
Modelo Continente Elvas
While Intermarché is closer, Continente may have a few more specialty items. Not as much as Hipercor or Carrefour in Spain, but some. Both Continente and Lidl can have better produce than Intermarché.
We shop more at Intermarché and Continente. Lidl often doesn't feel like a full grocery store, though their produce is usually very fresh.
Lidl
1 Avenida de BadajozWe shop more at Intermarché and Continente. Lidl often doesn't feel like a full grocery store, though their produce is usually very fresh.
For a larger selection of ingredients, including organic and gluten-free, we mostly shop at Hipercor in the El Faro mall. But Carrefour has a good selection and maybe better produce. Both also have English, Mexican, and Asian products, all of which we tend to buy lots of.
Carrefour
s/n Av. Jose María Alcaraz y AlendaFor a larger selection of ingredients, including organic and gluten-free, we mostly shop at Hipercor in the El Faro mall. But Carrefour has a good selection and maybe better produce. Both also have English, Mexican, and Asian products, all of which we tend to buy lots of.
For a larger selection of ingredients, including organic and gluten-free, we shop at this Hipercor in the El Faro mall. We also sometimes go to Carrefour in Badajoz. Both also have English, Mexican, and Asian products, all of which we tend to buy lots of.
Hipercor
s/n Av. de ElvasFor a larger selection of ingredients, including organic and gluten-free, we shop at this Hipercor in the El Faro mall. We also sometimes go to Carrefour in Badajoz. Both also have English, Mexican, and Asian products, all of which we tend to buy lots of.
Food Scene
Great place for a splurge. It's very popular, especially on market Saturdays, so best to book ahead.
16 recommandé par les habitants
Mercearia Gadanha
84 Lgo Dragões de OlivençaGreat place for a splurge. It's very popular, especially on market Saturdays, so best to book ahead.
Great game dishes, a beautiful outside courtyard, and a lovely drive to get here.
Restaurante Pompílio
96 R. de ElvasGreat game dishes, a beautiful outside courtyard, and a lovely drive to get here.
We actually like to just have a beer or wine and snacks (great little coriander toasts) here and enjoy the peace of sitting outside at a picnic table in this sleepy village square right next to the church. Best right around dusk, since the tables are in the sun. There are only two outside tables.
Taberna do Adro
1 Largo João Dias de DeusWe actually like to just have a beer or wine and snacks (great little coriander toasts) here and enjoy the peace of sitting outside at a picnic table in this sleepy village square right next to the church. Best right around dusk, since the tables are in the sun. There are only two outside tables.
We think our village restaurant, Casa Alentejo in Varche, is also one of the best places to eat in the area. Casa Alentejo is basically a churrasceria—a place for grilled food—but we've had them provide an excellent dinner for vegetarians too. The food is quite simple but always well prepared and tasty. Our favorites are the salada mista (really well dressed), frango na brasa (the very best grilled chicken), lamb (borrego) chops, and super fresh grilled fish (peixe dorado or peixe robalo), often with a zippy cilantro sauce.
Casa do Alentejo
n 26 e 27 Rua Alto da Boa VistaWe think our village restaurant, Casa Alentejo in Varche, is also one of the best places to eat in the area. Casa Alentejo is basically a churrasceria—a place for grilled food—but we've had them provide an excellent dinner for vegetarians too. The food is quite simple but always well prepared and tasty. Our favorites are the salada mista (really well dressed), frango na brasa (the very best grilled chicken), lamb (borrego) chops, and super fresh grilled fish (peixe dorado or peixe robalo), often with a zippy cilantro sauce.
This is the place we go to for our Chinese food and sushi fix. It is a buffet restaurant (10 euros per person), but the wide variety of dishes and sushi are made each day. If you ask them, they will also make some vegetarian dishes for you. Everyone there is very friendly. They also have a bar with a fun gin and tonic menu.
SOHO-Buffet Restaurante
This is the place we go to for our Chinese food and sushi fix. It is a buffet restaurant (10 euros per person), but the wide variety of dishes and sushi are made each day. If you ask them, they will also make some vegetarian dishes for you. Everyone there is very friendly. They also have a bar with a fun gin and tonic menu.
Drinks & Nightlife
We like to go here around dusk, go to the top (fourth) floor, which has a little roof terrace and a bar, and have a gin and tonic or glass of wine and watch the lights come on across Elvas. There are mostly just nibbles to eat (we haven't tried the restaurant below, which serves fondue). Many gins on the list for G&T, but pick an alternative or two--they often run out of some. (We like the Spanish Gin Mare and the local craft gin, Sharish.)
Acontece
8C Av. de Garcia da OrtaWe like to go here around dusk, go to the top (fourth) floor, which has a little roof terrace and a bar, and have a gin and tonic or glass of wine and watch the lights come on across Elvas. There are mostly just nibbles to eat (we haven't tried the restaurant below, which serves fondue). Many gins on the list for G&T, but pick an alternative or two--they often run out of some. (We like the Spanish Gin Mare and the local craft gin, Sharish.)
Sightseeing
Super romantic ruined fortress with wonderful views of the Guadiana below, great for a picnic. A walking trail along the Guadiana runs past here.
7 recommandé par les habitants
Juromenha
Largo do PostoSuper romantic ruined fortress with wonderful views of the Guadiana below, great for a picnic. A walking trail along the Guadiana runs past here.
The Lady of Help Bridge (Ponte de Nossa Senhora da Ajuda) across the Guadiana was built for King Manuel I in 1510 and partially destroyed in the War of the Spanish Succession. Big flat rocks in the river and the romantic ruins of the bridge make this National Heritage monument a wonderful place for a romantic picnic, or a place to stop on a trip to eat tapas in the pretty Spanish (or Portuguese? It's still disputed) town of Olivenza.
Puente Ayuda
Calle RíoThe Lady of Help Bridge (Ponte de Nossa Senhora da Ajuda) across the Guadiana was built for King Manuel I in 1510 and partially destroyed in the War of the Spanish Succession. Big flat rocks in the river and the romantic ruins of the bridge make this National Heritage monument a wonderful place for a romantic picnic, or a place to stop on a trip to eat tapas in the pretty Spanish (or Portuguese? It's still disputed) town of Olivenza.
We love driving up to this old fortified town high atop a mountain. It is a very small place, so if you are going when they are not having one of their wonderful festivals, it is a great half-day trip from our quinta. We like to go in the afternoon so we can settle down at one of the outdoor cafes (usually the O Castelo Cafe Lounge) and take in the spectacular views during sunset. Though there are some tourist shops and a few foreigners walking about, we are amazed that the town still seems to be off the usual tourist route. Near there is also a place that gives horse riding tours. You can ask us or look up Caballos de Marvao.
59 recommandé par les habitants
Marvão
We love driving up to this old fortified town high atop a mountain. It is a very small place, so if you are going when they are not having one of their wonderful festivals, it is a great half-day trip from our quinta. We like to go in the afternoon so we can settle down at one of the outdoor cafes (usually the O Castelo Cafe Lounge) and take in the spectacular views during sunset. Though there are some tourist shops and a few foreigners walking about, we are amazed that the town still seems to be off the usual tourist route. Near there is also a place that gives horse riding tours. You can ask us or look up Caballos de Marvao.
We usually visit Estremoz on Saturday mornings for the market. You'll find everything here from paperbacks, tools, knickknacks, produce, cheeses, meats, furniture, and everything in between. We buy plants and trees here too.
As the market starts to wind down around noon, we sometimes eat lunch afterwards, usually at Gadanha Mercearia. This place fills up fast though, so if you don't have a reservation you'll want to go early. There really isn't much to the castle, but if you make the climb, you can have something to eat at the lovely posada inside or go up to the top of A Cadeia Quinhentista for lovely views with your drinks and/or meal. The science museum (Centro Ciencia Viva de Extremos) right across the street from the entrance to the large parking lot next to the market is interesting for a short visit perhaps, but it is really geared only to Portuguese speakers. However, they also set up one of the few Scale Solar Systems in the world with markers across Estremoz and the surrounding area. Start at the sun just outside the entrance. The closer planets are nearby but you'll need a bike or car to see them all. If you do find yourself out and around Estremoz, you may want to visit the Herdade Das Servas. You can prearrange for a full vineyard visit and wine tasting or simply go to the restaurant.
31 recommandé par les habitants
Estremoz
We usually visit Estremoz on Saturday mornings for the market. You'll find everything here from paperbacks, tools, knickknacks, produce, cheeses, meats, furniture, and everything in between. We buy plants and trees here too.
As the market starts to wind down around noon, we sometimes eat lunch afterwards, usually at Gadanha Mercearia. This place fills up fast though, so if you don't have a reservation you'll want to go early. There really isn't much to the castle, but if you make the climb, you can have something to eat at the lovely posada inside or go up to the top of A Cadeia Quinhentista for lovely views with your drinks and/or meal. The science museum (Centro Ciencia Viva de Extremos) right across the street from the entrance to the large parking lot next to the market is interesting for a short visit perhaps, but it is really geared only to Portuguese speakers. However, they also set up one of the few Scale Solar Systems in the world with markers across Estremoz and the surrounding area. Start at the sun just outside the entrance. The closer planets are nearby but you'll need a bike or car to see them all. If you do find yourself out and around Estremoz, you may want to visit the Herdade Das Servas. You can prearrange for a full vineyard visit and wine tasting or simply go to the restaurant.
The town of Olivenca/Olivenza is a short drive from here, over the Guadiana River and into Spain. We usually combine it with a stop at the Ponte de Ajuda. Mostly we like to walk around the small town square and then stop in at the restaurant Casa Maila for some tapas. You can hang out in the azulejos-filled bar room or sit down for a meal in the back.
The **** Hotel Palacia Arteaga has both a restaurant for fine dining in the 19th century palace and a gastropub with outdoor seating if you want to be more casual.
The town also has two quirky museums to visit, the ethnographic museum and the paper craft museum. They are small but can be entertaining if you are in the mood.
Also, the Capilla de la Santa Casa de Misericordia has a beautiful interior filled with Portuguese azulejos (tiles). And just nearby is the Dulceria La Chimenea for gourmet pastries.
A short drive out of the city is the Restaurant Club Deportivo Embarcadero. Sit out on the deck by the water, have drinks and a cheese plate, and watch the sunset. Across the river to the Portuguese side you can see the ruin castle of Juromenha.
Olivenza
The town of Olivenca/Olivenza is a short drive from here, over the Guadiana River and into Spain. We usually combine it with a stop at the Ponte de Ajuda. Mostly we like to walk around the small town square and then stop in at the restaurant Casa Maila for some tapas. You can hang out in the azulejos-filled bar room or sit down for a meal in the back.
The **** Hotel Palacia Arteaga has both a restaurant for fine dining in the 19th century palace and a gastropub with outdoor seating if you want to be more casual.
The town also has two quirky museums to visit, the ethnographic museum and the paper craft museum. They are small but can be entertaining if you are in the mood.
Also, the Capilla de la Santa Casa de Misericordia has a beautiful interior filled with Portuguese azulejos (tiles). And just nearby is the Dulceria La Chimenea for gourmet pastries.
A short drive out of the city is the Restaurant Club Deportivo Embarcadero. Sit out on the deck by the water, have drinks and a cheese plate, and watch the sunset. Across the river to the Portuguese side you can see the ruin castle of Juromenha.
Entertainment & Activities
This is the stable where we board our two Irish sport horses. They offer lessons (basic, children, longe, dressage, or jumping) or guided trail rides at a very reasonable price. The head trainer, Luis Perreira, speaks English and Spanish.
Centro Hìpico de S. Brás
This is the stable where we board our two Irish sport horses. They offer lessons (basic, children, longe, dressage, or jumping) or guided trail rides at a very reasonable price. The head trainer, Luis Perreira, speaks English and Spanish.
Though you can come here to visit the stud farm, the real draw might be the falconry house and museum. The people working with the birds are passionate about their work. Depending on the season, you can prearrange to go out with them to fly the birds.
Address: Coudelaria de Alter | Vaiamonte, Monforte 7640-052, Portugal
Contact: Carlos Crespo
Phone Number: +(351)969371955
cm.crespo@hotmail.com
8 recommandé par les habitants
Alter do Chão
Though you can come here to visit the stud farm, the real draw might be the falconry house and museum. The people working with the birds are passionate about their work. Depending on the season, you can prearrange to go out with them to fly the birds.
Address: Coudelaria de Alter | Vaiamonte, Monforte 7640-052, Portugal
Contact: Carlos Crespo
Phone Number: +(351)969371955
cm.crespo@hotmail.com