The Best Castles in Portugal

Portugal is a land of castles: Moorish fortresses on hilltops, Templar strongholds, a fortress on an island in the Tagus, and walled villages along the Spanish border. Here are the most beautiful castles in Portugal, and how to visit them.

Quick answer: don’t miss São Jorge Castle in Lisbon (€17), the Moorish Castle in Sintra (€12), Guimarães Castle (the birthplace of Portugal), the walled village of Óbidos, the red-stone Silves Castle (about €2.80), Tomar’s Templar Convent of Christ (€15), and fairy-tale Almourol on its river island.

The best castles

São Jorge Castle, Lisbon

The castle on Lisbon’s highest hill, with walls to walk, peacocks and the best views of the city. €17. See Alfama.

The Moorish Castle, Sintra

Walls zigzagging across the ridge, with views of Pena Palace and the ocean. €12. See visiting Sintra.

Guimarães Castle

The 10th-century castle linked to the birth of Portugal and its first king. Combined ticket with the Palace of the Dukes, €8. See Guimarães.

Óbidos

A whole medieval village inside walls you can walk around. The castle is now a pousada hotel. See Óbidos.

Convent of Christ, Tomar

The Knights Templar headquarters, a castle and convent with a round church. €15. See Tomar.

Almourol Castle

A fairy-tale castle on a tiny island in the Tagus, reached by a short boat ride. See Tomar.

Silves Castle

The best-preserved castle in the Algarve, in red sandstone. About €2.80. See Silves.

Monsaraz

A hilltop walled village with castle walls over the Alqueva lake. See Monsaraz.

Castles of the historic villages

Sortelha, Almeida’s star fortress, Castelo Rodrigo, Marialva and Trancoso, near the Spanish border. See the historic villages.

Bragança, Marvão and Lindoso

Further afield: the citadel of Bragança in the far northeast, the eagle’s-nest village of Marvão in the Alentejo, and Lindoso’s castle among granaries in Peneda-Gerês. See Peneda-Gerês.

Sleeping in a castle

Portugal’s pousadas include castles you can stay in, like the Pousada Castelo Óbidos and the Pousada Castelo de Estremoz. See a romantic trip to Portugal.

More: the best palaces in Portugal and a quick history of Portugal.

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