*** WE HAVE CHANGED VENUES, WE ARE NOW GETTING MARRIED IN EVORA BUT THE DAY HAS REMAINED THE SAME***
Nicole & Kevin
Nicole & Kevin
Travel
Evora is 1 hour 20 minutes East of the Lisbon airport so we recommend flying into Lisbon which is the largest international airport in Portugal. If you are planning on staying in Portugal longer, the other international airport is in Porto and it's about a 4 hour drive north of Evora.
If you plan on renting a car while in Portugal, note that it is highly recommended to add "Via Verde" (EZ- Pass) to your booking because you will be able to navigate/use the highways much easier. You add this at the counter when you pick-up your rental. Also, a few things to keep in mind when booking your car rental, make sure to select an automatic car (most car rentals in Europe are manual) with unlimited mileage!
In Portugal the law is that you must drive in the right lane except when passing and they take this very seriously. Portugal drives on the same side of the road as the US. They can be speedy drivers so be cautious when switching lanes or just in general! A hot tip, if you are driving on the highways and you see the "Colibri" rest stops, they are great, clean places to grab food/coffee/beer etc. Definitely recommend!
Helpful tips to know about Portugal before your visit!
1. Tipping is not common practice so most places do not expect you to leave a tip! In more tourist-oriented establishments, a tip is more common and usually around 10% but never required.
2. Nothing is free! Servers will often bring bread, butter, olives and even cheese or other appetizers to your table. Keep in mind that these unordered items will always be added to your bill if you choose to partake. If you don't want them, just send them away with a polite "no, thank you" and that should do the job! We always recommend partaking because the bread and olives are worth it and these "appetizers" are usually around 1-2 euros a person.
3. If you have done your research on restaurants and know which ones you'd like to try, make sure to make reservations in advance!
4. Bring walking shoes with good grip! Portugal is one of the most walkable European countries and exploring on foot is usually the best way to see the sights in Lisbon, Porto and Evora! The cities are often hilly and cobblestone-covered streets that could be quite slippery!
5. Don't forget to look down! Portugal is known for beautiful paved stone mosaics called "calcada Portuguesa" and you can find them all over Portugal.
6. Portuguese restaurants are often open from 12pm-3pm and then again from 6pm onward! If you are not in a touristy area it might be difficult to find food outside of those hours. Also, keep in mind that eating is an activity the Portuguese take seriously so don't be surprised if dinner takes 2 hours or more!
PLACES TO STAY
Hilton Garden Inn Evora
The shuttle will depart from this hotel to the church and the venue. Shuttle schedule is to be determined! If interested in staying at this Hotel, please follow the instructions below.
1. In order to take advantage of the discount code all reservations must be made directly on the hotel's website. https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/liseagi-hilton-garden-inn-evora/
2. Enter the dates of stay and number of guests.
3. Click on check rooms & rates
4. Click on special rates
5. Type the code (3472134) in the Corporate Account field and click update
6. Select your preferred room type
7. Enter the details requested on the booking form
8. After completing the process, you will receive the booking confirmation in the corresponding email
Note:
1. The discount code is applicable on rooms with breakfast included, if you do not wish to have breakfast at the hotel, it may be cheaper to book without using the discount code.
2. The discount code is applicable for stays within the following dates.
06/25/25 - 07/04/2025
3. The hotel sleeps maximum three adults per room. If you will be needing adjoining rooms, please contact the hotel and they will be able to assist you.
Octant Hotels Évora
We have stayed at this hotel before and loved our stay! Although it is a bit farther from the venue it's a great place to stay with children if you would like to stay and explore the region for a bit longer! Very child friendly!!
