Medieval castles dot the landscapes of Portugal. Many of these hilltop garrisons were originally built by the Romans and the Moors, and then further fortified by the Christians and Templar Knights in the Middle Ages.
While touring the castles in Portugal, not only will you take a step back in time, but you will also be treated to stunning panoramic views, as most of these castles have a prominent hilltop setting.
If you are traveling through Portugal with kids, visiting a few of these castles may be highlights of the trip for your family.
If you do a little poking around online, you’ll see many lists for the best castles to visit in Portugal. There are literally hundreds of castles in Portugal, although for many of these, all that remains are a short stretch of walls or a tower. However, there are still quite a few castles that remain in excellent condition.
Some of these castles are very easy to get to, such as São Jorge Castle, which sits smack in the city center of Lisbon, and others are much more remote, such as the Castle of Monsanto, which is located in eastern Portugal.
In this guide, we list 15 of the best castles to visit in Portugal. On our 5-week road trip, we visited many more than this, so this list contains what we think are the best overall experiences.
Best Castles in Portugal
The list below contains 15 of the best castles in Portugal.
What this list does not contain are palaces, which other online guides frequently list as “castles.” We agree, Monserrate Palace, Mafra Palace, and Belém Tower are well worth the visit, but since they are not officially castles, they are not listed below.
1. São Jorge Castle
Location: Lisbon
São Jorge Castle sits on top of one of the seven hills of Lisbon.
The fortifications of the castle date back to the 1st century BC. It was built by the Moors and in 1255, when Lisbon became the capital of Portugal, King Afonso III used this castle as his fortified residence. The Great Earthquake in 1755 severely damaged the castle and it underwent a massive renovation in the 20th century.
On a visit here, walk the castle walls, climb the towers for panoramic views of Lisbon, visit the small museum and archaeological site, and see the peacocks that freely roam the castle grounds.
How to Visit São Jorge Castle: Lines to enter the castle can be long. To save yourself the wait, purchase your ticket online in advance. Learn more about the castle in our itinerary 2 Days in Lisbon.
2. The Moorish Castle
Location: Sintra
The Moorish Castle, also called the Castle of the Moors, is located on a hilltop above the town of Sintra. Visiting this castle is one of the best things to do in Sintra.
The Castle of the Moors is the oldest site in Sintra. It was built by the Moors between the 8th and 9th century and taken over in 1147 by Christian forces during the Fall of Lisbon. It is part of the Sintra Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you enjoy panoramic views, this is not to be missed on a visit to Sintra. The best thing to do here is to walk the walls, which lead to the remains of several lookout towers. The views are stunning, as you can see Sintra, Pena Palace, and the Atlantic coastline.
How to Visit the Moorish Castle: It takes about an hour or two to visit this castle. Tickets can be purchased onsite or online in advance. Learn how to plan your visit to the Moorish Castle in our Guide to Sintra ↓
Sintra Day Trip from Lisbon: 3 Ways to Spend One Day in Sintra
Everything you need to know to plan a day trip to Sintra from Lisbon.3. Pena Palace
Location: Sintra
Pena Palace is a Romanticist castle that is located high in the Sintra mountains. On a visit to Sintra, this is the #1 place to visit, with its vibrant colors and whimsical blend of architectural styles.
A chapel and monastery stood on this site until the Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755 leveled the buildings. King Ferdinand II purchased the land in 1838 and turned the remains of the monastery into a castle. This building seamlessly blends Gothic, Islamic, and Renaissance influences into a vibrantly colorful, eclectic castle that is a delight to explore and photograph.
Pena Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal.
How to Visit Pena Palace: This is the busiest place to visit in Sintra. We cover exactly how to visit Pena Palace in our article Best Things to Do in Sintra ↓
13 Amazing Things to Do in Sintra, Portugal (2025 Guide)
Best things to do in Sintra, and exactly how to visit Pena Palace.4. Óbidos Castle
Location: Óbidos
Óbidos is a beautiful small town near the west coast of Portugal, located between Lisbon and Nazaré. It is famous for its castle walls which surround the town and its picturesque city streets. This is one of our favorite towns in Portugal and well worth the visit.
The Castle of Óbidos sits on the north end of town. It dates back to Roman times, was later fortified under Arab rule, and then taken over during Christian rule in 1148. It was severely damaged in the 1755 earthquake and renovated the 20th century.
How to Visit the Castle of Óbidos: The Castle of Óbidos is now a 4-star hotel and restaurant (Pousada Castelo de Óbidos). As a visitor, you can enter the castle and see its courtyard, but the remainder of the castle is off limits, unless you are a guest of the hotel or dining in the restaurant. It’s worth climbing the stairs in front of the castle, because from its terrace you get a nice view of Óbidos.
15 Wonderful Things to Do in Óbidos, Portugal
Best things to do in Óbidos, with lots of photos of the castle walls.5. Guimarães Castle
Location: Guimarães (northern Portugal)
Located in the medieval town of Guimarães, a city that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historic city center, sits Guimarães Castle. Guimarães is commonly referred to as the “birthplace of Portugal” because Portugal’s first king, Afonso Henriques, was born here.
Guimarães Castle was built in the 10th century to defend the nearby monastery from attacks by Norsemen and Moors.
How to Visit Guimarães Castle: It only takes a few minutes to see Guimarães Castle from the outside. For a small fee, visitors can enter the castle. Guimarães is one of our favorite small towns in Portugal. Plan your visit with our article Best Things to Do in Guimarães.
6. Castle of Almourol
Location: Central Portugal
This castle has a unique setting, located on a tiny island in the Tagus River.
The foundations for the Castle of Almourol were first laid by the Romans. It was rebuilt by the Knights Templar, as this castle was part of the defensive line controlled by the Knights during the Portuguese Reconquista.
How to Visit the Castle of Almourol: To visit the castle, visitors first cross the river in a small boat and then tour the castle.
7. Castle of Tomar
Location: Tomar, Central Portugal
The Castle of Tomar, also called the Convent of Christ, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which dates back to 1160 and it is the Portuguese headquarters of the Knights Templar.
How to Visit the Castle of Tomar: This entire complex of buildings is a joy to explore. Visitors can walk through the gardens and along a portion of the castle walls for free. For a fee, visit the convent, the cloisters, see the Manueline window, and don’t miss the spectacular Charola (also called the Rotunda or Round Church).
The Castle of Tomar can be combined with Almourol Castle, the Castle of Ourem, Fátima, and/or Batalha and Alcobaça Monasteries.
8. Castle of Santa Maria da Feira
Location: Santa Maria da Feira, Northern Portugal
This hilltop fortress is located in northwestern Portugal, in between Porto and Aveiro. It was an important base for the Christian Reconquista in defending the area from Arab invasions. It is a national monument.
How to Visit the Castle of Santa Maria da Feira: The castle is open to visitors although parts of it are closed for renovation. Check hours on Google before you go.
9. Castle of Monsanto
Location: Monsanto, Central Portugal
This is one of our favorite castles in Portugal.
Monsanto is a medieval village that is located in central Portugal, not far from the border with Spain. It is famous for its colossal boulders, with houses built in and around these giant rocks, as they were far too big to be moved.
Sitting on the highest point in town is the Castle of Monsanto. Walking the walls is the highlight of a visit here, as you get sweeping views over Monsanto and the surrounding countryside.
Monsanto is a bit out of the way from other major towns and sites in Portugal, but that helps keep crowds low. If you have time in your itinerary, Monsanto is well worth the visit, and you can add on a few more castles, such as Sortelha and Marvão, mentioned next.
How to Visit the Castle of Monsanto: Plan your trip with our Guide to Monsanto ↓
Monsanto, Portugal: Things to Do, Photos & Helpful Tips
How to plan your visit to Monsanto: how to get here, where to stay, things to do, and how to see the castle.10. Castle of Marvão
Location: Santa Maria de Marvão, Central Portugal
This is one of the largest, best-preserved castles we visited in Portugal. It is also located in central Portugal, just a few kilometers from Spain.
The castle was constructed in the 9th century by Ibn Marwan, an Islamic Knight. The castle and town were conquered by Christian forces between 1160 and 1166 and over the next several hundred years, the castle was further fortified and enlarged.
How to Visit the Castle of Marvão: To visit the Castle of Marvão, park in the lot that sits just outside of the city walls of Marvão. From here, walk through the city gate and work your way uphill to the castle. There is a small fee to enter the castle.
The Castle of Marvão is lots of fun to explore. With multiple towers to climb, several section of castle walls to walk, and beautiful gardens inside of the walls, this is a very photogenic castle and well worth going out of your way to visit this part of Portugal, if you enjoy visiting castles and hilltop towns.
11. Castle of Sortelha
Location: Sortelha, Central Portugal
Sortelha is a tiny gem that is tucked away in central Portugal, not far from Monsanto, Belmonte, and Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela. This is another one of our favorite castles in Portugal.
The Castle of Sortelha is rather small, with a tower to climb and small circle of fortified walls.
The best part is the string of walls that wraps around the town of Sortelha. These walls aren’t as well preserved as those in Óbidos or Marvão. In some sections, they lack guardrails and protective barriers and can be quite rugged in spots. However, that is part of the charm, if you like that sort of thing.
A visit to Sortelha feels very off-the-beaten-track. On our visit, Tim and I were the only ones here and we had the castle and the walls to ourselves, which made for an amazing experience.
How to Visit the Castle of Sortelha: If you like the idea of visiting Sortelha, it can be easily combined with Monsanto. Sortelha is one of the places you have the option to visit in our 2 Week Portugal Itinerary ↓
Two Weeks in Portugal Itinerary: With & Without a Car
On this itinerary, visit Portugal’s famous cities (Lisbon and Porto), spend some time in the Algarve, and visit a few off the beaten path towns.12. Castle of Penedono
Location: Penedono, Northern Portugal
This tiny castle is quick to visit. It sits in the center of the town of Penedono and on a visit here, you can climb to walkway around the top of the walls for a very nice view over town.
Like many castles in Portugal, the Castle of Penedono is over 1,000 years old, although it has been partially rebuilt during that time. It underwent a major restoration in the 1940’s.
How to Visit the Castle of Penedono: We visited the Castle of Penedono on the drive from the Douro Valley to Belmonte and Monsanto.
13. Castle of Lamego
Location: Lamego, Douro Valley
This very small hilltop castle is located in Lamego, one of the towns in the Douro Valley. It is free to enter and quick to visit.
How to Visit the Castle of Lamego: On a visit here, walk the walls (which just takes a minute or two) and climb the tower for the best view. This castle isn’t worth going out of your way for, but if you will be in the Douro Valley and have plans to visit Lamego (walking the 686 steps to the Our Lady of Remedies Sanctuary is the #1 thing to do here) then the castle is an easy add-on to your visit. Learn more in our guide How to Visit the Douro Valley.
14. Castle of Silves
Location: Silves, Algarve
The Castle of Silves is one of the best-preserved Moorish castles in Portugal. In 716 AD, the Moors defeated the Romans, taking over the citadel and then expanded it, adding on walls and other fortifications.
How to Visit Silves Castle: On a visit to the castle, you can walk the castle walls, a must do for panoramic views over the city of Silves. You can also visit the remains of ancient palaces, a cistern, and archeological excavations.
We also really enjoyed walking through the town of Silves. It’s one of our favorites in the Algarve, with its beautiful architecture, remnants of the fortress walls running through town, and great restaurants. We recommend dining at Parsley & Thyme, Mosaiko, or Marisqueiria Rui.
15. Castle of Castro Marim
Location: Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Algarve
This castle sits on the far eastern end of the Algarve, just a stone’s throw from Spain. This castle is notable because it hosts a five-day medieval festival each August. In 2023, this festival drew 150,000 visitors!
How to Visit the Castle of Castro Marim: To visit the castle, park at ‘Parking Castro Marim’ on Google Maps, a free parking lot. Then it is a short uphill walk to the castle. There is a small fee to enter the castle, cash only.
This castle feels a bit more rustic and worn than the Castle of Silves. But it also has the feel of an open-air museum, with small museums, stables, and walls you can walk.
A Few More Notable Castles in Portugal
Here are a few more castles in Portugal that often come up on a lot of other lists. In our opinion, these are nice to see but not worth going out of your way to see.
Castle of Tavira
Tavira is a small town in the Algarve. It is popular among tourists for its picturesque city center, its Old Bridge that spans the Gilão River, and its castle. The castle is tiny, really just a series of stone walls that visitors can walk. Overall, it’s a nice experience, but it lacks the characteristic “castle experience,” with towers to climb.
Inside the Castle of Tavira
Castle of Ourem
This off-the-beaten-path castle is located in Ourem, which is in central Portugal, not far from Tomar and Fátima. It’s a good-sized castle that is very well-preserved, but to us it felt rather stark and uninteresting. If you have some extra time and will be in the area, it could be worth a visit, but make sure you see Tomar, Fátima, and the Castle of Almourol first.
Ourem Castle
Castle of Braga
Braga is a top city to visit in northern Portugal, with Bom Jesus do Monte being the #1 thing to visit here. The city was once surrounded by medieval walls and fortifications but now all that stands is Torre de Menagem, a medieval tower. On our visit, the tower was closed. If it reopens, you will get a great view over Braga.
Belmonte Castle
Belmonte Castle is located in Belmonte, a very small town in central Portugal, near Sortelha and Monsanto. This small castle is free and quick to visit but lacks the “wow” factor of the other castles on this list.
Belmonte Castle
Castles in Portugal: Ranked
Here is our ranking of all 15 castles on this list. This list starts with our favorite castle and ends with our least favorite.
- Castle of Monsanto
- Castle of Sortelha
- Castle of Marvão
- Castle of Óbidos (plus the walls the circle the town)
- Moorish Castle
- Castle of Almourol
- Castle of Tomar
- São Jorge Castle
- Pena Palace
- Castle of Silves
- Castle of Penedono
- Castle of Guimarães (but the town is awesome!!)
- Castle of Santa Maria da Feira
- Castle of Lamego
- Castle of Castro Marim
Best Castles to Visit with Kids
What kid wouldn’t love a visit to a few castles while on a trip through Portugal?
A good thing to be aware of is that some castle walls have drop-offs without protective guardrails. On one side there is a wall, but on the side that faces town, there is just a drop-off and this can be as high as 5 meters (16 feet) in some spots. Óbidos, Sortelha, and Monsanto fall into this category, so we didn’t include them in this list.
The Óbidos castle walls: there are a lot of long stretches of these walls without guardrails.
If you are traveling with kids, you can take get an idea of what to expect in our photos.
Here are five castles we recommend visiting with kids:
- Pena Palace
- Moorish Castle
- São Jorge Castle
- Castle of Marvão (there are few places where the walls do not have guardrails)
- Castle of Lamego
Less Visited Castles
If you like the idea of leaving the crowds behind, these were the least crowded castles on our visit:
- Castle of Penedono
- Castle of Sortelha
- Castle of Monsanto
- Castle of Castro Marim
- Castle of Lamego
Most Crowded Castles
And here’s where we saw the biggest groups of people:
- Pena Palace
- Moorish Castle
- São Jorge Castle
- Castle of Óbidos
- Castle of Silves
If you have any questions about the best castles in Portugal to visit, or if you want to share your favorites, you can do so in the comment section below.
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