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, the Moorish Castle in Sintra, Guimarães Castle (the birthplace of Portugal), the walled village of Óbidos, the red-stone Silves Castle, Tomar’s Templar Convent of Christ, and fairy-tale Almourol on its river island. Ticket prices change, so check each castle’s official site before you go.

Why visit Portugal’s castles

Portugal’s borders were fought over for centuries: first between Christian kings and the Moors, then with Castile. The result is hundreds of castles, many on high ground with huge views. Most are ruins you can walk around in an hour or less, so they fit easily into a road trip. Many smaller hilltop castles are free to wander, while the big names charge entry.

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. It was a Moorish fortress before Afonso Henriques took Lisbon in 1147. It is Portugal’s most visited monument, usually open daily from 9am to 9pm (7pm from November to February). Allow 1.5 hours and arrive early to avoid queues. See Alfama and the São Jorge Castle guide.

The Moorish Castle, Sintra

Walls zigzagging across the ridge, with views of Pena Palace and the ocean. The Moors built the first castle here around the 9th and 10th centuries; much of what you see was restored in the 19th century. Allow 1 to 1.5 hours, and expect steep steps. Private cars can’t drive up to Pena next door, so most people take the 434 bus from Sintra station or walk up through the woods. See the Moorish Castle guide and visiting Sintra.

Guimarães Castle

The castle linked to the birth of Portugal and its first king, Afonso Henriques. It was first built in the 10th century and later rebuilt. Combine it with the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança next door. Guimarães is about an hour from Porto by train. See Guimarães.

Óbidos

A whole medieval village inside walls you can walk around. The wall walk has no railings in places, so take care with children. The castle is now a pousada hotel. The village hosts a medieval market each July (16 to 26 July in 2026), with taverns, re-enactments and a mock storming of the castle. See Óbidos.

Convent of Christ, Tomar

The Knights Templar headquarters, a castle and convent with a round church, the Charola, and a famous carved Manueline window. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Allow 2 hours. Storm damage closed it for several weeks in early 2026, and it reopened in late February with some areas restricted, so check what is open before you go. See Tomar.

Almourol Castle

A fairy-tale castle on a tiny island in the Tagus, reached by a short boat ride. The Templars rebuilt it in the 12th century as part of their defensive line along the river. The boats don’t run in high water or bad weather, so check before you drive out. The castle usually closes for lunch, and the last boat leaves about 40 minutes before each closing time. It is about 30 minutes by car from Tomar. See Almourol Castle and Tomar.

Silves Castle

The best-preserved castle in the Algarve, in red sandstone, above the old Moorish capital of the region. Allow an hour, then see the cathedral below. See Silves.

Santa Maria da Feira Castle

One of the most complete medieval castles in the country, with a tall keep and pointed turrets, about 30 minutes south of Porto. It is usually closed on Mondays and charges a small entry fee. In summer it is the backdrop for the Viagem Medieval, Portugal’s biggest medieval fair.

Monsaraz

A hilltop walled village with castle walls over the Alqueva lake. Come late in the day for the sunset, then stay for the stars. See Monsaraz.

Palmela Castle

A hilltop castle south of the Tagus, with views over the Arrábida hills and the Setúbal estuary. It is an easy half-day from Lisbon. See Palmela Castle.

Elvas

Not a single castle but a whole fortified town near the Spanish border, with star-shaped walls, outlying forts such as the Forte da Graça, and a long aqueduct. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. See Elvas.

Castles of the historic villages

Sortelha, Almeida’s star fortress, Castelo Rodrigo, Marialva and Trancoso, near the Spanish border. You need a car, and two or three days, to see them properly. 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 Marvão and Peneda-Gerês.

Suggested castle road trip

From Lisbon, drive to Óbidos (about an hour) for the morning. Continue to Tomar for the Convent of Christ, and finish at Almourol in the afternoon. Stay the night near Tomar, then carry on north to Guimarães, or east to Marvão and Monsaraz.

When to go

Spring and autumn are best: the views are clear and climbing walls in the heat is hard work. Summer brings medieval fairs. Óbidos holds its medieval market in July, and Santa Maria da Feira, south of Porto, holds the large Viagem Medieval festival from late July into August (29 July to 9 August in 2026, its 30th edition). Many state-run museums and some castles close on Mondays.

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.

Practical tips

• Shoes: wear shoes with grip. Old stone steps are uneven and slippery after rain.
• Wind: hilltop castles are exposed, so bring a layer.
• Railings: many walls have none. Keep a close eye on children.

FAQ

What is the most famous castle in Portugal?

São Jorge Castle in Lisbon is the most visited. Guimarães Castle is the most symbolic, as it is linked to the birth of the country.

Can you stay in a castle in Portugal?

Yes. Some pousadas are inside castles, including the ones in Óbidos and Estremoz.

Are Portugal’s castles free to visit?

Some are. Many smaller ruins and walled villages are free to walk around, while São Jorge, the Moorish Castle and the Convent of Christ charge entry, and Almourol’s boat is paid.

Which castles can I visit from Lisbon in a day?

São Jorge is in the city, the Moorish Castle in Sintra is under an hour away by train and bus, and Óbidos and Palmela are easy day trips by car.

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

See also: Guimarães and Belém Tower.

Some links in this guide are affiliate or referral links (GetYourGuide, Booking.com, Discover Cars, Welcome Pickups, Airalo, Yesim, Saily, Tiqets, Radical Storage, EKTA, AirHelp, Uber). If you book or sign up through them we may earn a small commission or ride credit at no extra cost to you. It helps keep our groups and this site free.