Monsanto Portugal Travel Guide: Visit the Most Portuguese Village
Monsanto Travel Guide the Most Portuguese Village of Portugal
Perched high at the top of a granite hilltop, Monsanto is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and charming Portuguese villages. Due to its stunning set up and its rich heritage, it has been considered “the Most Portuguese Village of Portugal” and its also one of the Historical Villages in the country. With colossal boulders blending into its traditional architecture and panoramic views stretching as far as the eye can see, you should add Monsanto to your Portugal bucket list. Let me share my Monsanto Portugal Travel Guide.
Monsanto is located at the heart of the country, in a remote area of Castelo Branco district, not far away from the Spanish border. Its privileged location atop a hill at 758 meters, explains why it has been an important defensive stronghold. Throughout the centuries, the village witnessed Roman occupation, Christian reconquest and military sieges and it played a role in the Portuguese history. Each period left its mark on the village’s narrow streets and fortress ruins.
Indeed, this unique and timeless settlement invites visitors to step back in time. Walking around its cobbled stone streets, passageways and alleys surrounded by ancient walls, you will be surrounded by the echoes of the past and its medieval history.
Monsanto really stands out by the way the village seamlessly integrates with the natural landscape. Enormous granite boulders are perfectly embedded in its architecture. Some of them were excavated to be used as part of the houses, replacing the roofs or the walls. The labyrinthine streets lead to stunning viewpoints to the surrounding landscape and red-tiled roofs, hidden chapels and charming stone cottages. It feels almost like a movie set. And it actually became one!
Did you know Monsanto is Dragonstone in House of the Dragon?
Monsanto’s otherworldly setting caught the attention of the producers of House of the Dragon, the Game of Thrones prequel. The village’s dramatic cliffs, medieval ruins and untouched authenticity made it a perfect backdrop for the fantasy series. So it was one of its filming locations, bringing the famous Dragontone to life.
Walking through Monsanto today, you can see some displays with information about the movie set. And it’s easy to imagine dragons flying over the stone towers and the rocky hills!
How to Get to Monsanto?
The easiest way to get to Monsanto is by car, as it’s about 3 hours driving from Lisbon. You can easily include it in a roadtrip around the country and combine it with some other great destinations in the region like Serra da Estrela (Estrela Mountain), Sortelha or Castelo Novo (which I will highlight later in this article). If you are driving from Lisbon, you can also visit during your trip some of the marvels in the region of the Centre of Portugal.
What is the Best Time to Visit Monsanto?
Monsanto is a year round destination, but spring and autumn are ideal. The weather is mild, the light is golden, and wildflowers in spring or leaves in autumn add color to the granite landscape. Summer can be hot, but the dry breeze and stone shade help make it pleasant. Winter is quiet and mystical, especially if the village gets some mysterious fog or a dusting of snow. I visited Monsanto in summer and autumn, and in both occasions I had amazing, but different experiences.
Top Things to Do in Monsanto
Walk around Monsanto’s streets
Every turn in Monsanto is full of history and reveals a story of this very unique Portuguese village. Wandering through the narrow streets, you will encounter stone steps carved into hillsides, doorways framed by rocks and flowers blooming from the crevices of ancient walls.
Stop by some of its fountains and visit the Parish Church at the entrance of the village with a round arch portal and an impressive rose window. Make sure you spend some time to immerse yourself in the village’s timeless atmosphere.
See some very unique buildings
Don’t miss the Casa de Uma Só Telha, a house built beneath a single enormous boulder that is one of the most photographed spots in the village. At Castle Street (Rua do Castelo) stop by the Grotto (Gruta), a rustic open space at the base of various rocks . A bit further in the same street you will find Furdas, a building in a round format with stone walls and covered by a boulder that was used as an animal enclosure.
Hike to Monsanto Castle
There is no doubt that the castle is Monsanto’s jewel of the crown. Located high above the village on a rugged granite hill, Monsanto Castle rewards those who brave the steep, winding trail with a journey through time and breathtaking panoramas to the countryside.
The walk to the top can be challenging, especially under the sun, but it is undeniably worth the effort. As you ascend, the cobbled paths and dramatic rock formations create a cinematic backdrop that feels straight out of a medieval epic.
Built in the 12th century with the influence of the Knights Templar, the castle played an important defensive role in Portugal’s early years as a kingdom. Even if it’s partially in ruins today, the castle walls, arched gateways and remains of ancient buildings offer a fascinating glimpse into the past.
Once you reach the summit, the views are truly unforgettable sweeping across the vast plains of the Beira Baixa region, with distant mountains on the horizon. They are especially magical at sunrise or sunset.
Admire the Views from Monsanto’s viewpoints
There are several viewpoints in Monsanto to admire the spectacular views to the surrounding landscape and the stone houses with red-tiled roofs. At the entrance of the village stop at the Praça dos Canhões Viewpoint to see great views of the whole village.
Don’t miss Forno Viewpoint for some other great perspectives of Monsanto. In the Castle you also have several viewpoints that are absolutely stunning, from where you can see some mountain ranges like Serra da Estrela, Serra da Gardunha or Serra da Malcata.
Visit São Miguel Chapel
At the northeast area of the castle, you will find the isolated medieval São Miguel Chapel. It was built around the 12th or the 13th centuries, but some remains point there was an ancient temple prior to that in the same location. It has a single nave, a facade with a semi-circular arch doorway and a bell tower. The surrounding area is worth to explore with beautiful views to the hill and the castle.
Explore the surrounding nature
The unique location of Monsanto at the top of a hill offers many opportunities to explore the surrounding nature, including the giant granite boulders that are a highlight of this region. Some of them were carved by the erosion throughout the years and they present now unique formats.
Penedo do Pé Calvo crag, located in a gigantic cliff, is a great example of that. Another one is Penedos Juntos, a pair of large rocks separated by a fracture creating a stable balance. For hiking lovers, there are some trails available to explore the region.
Visit some other nearby beautiful villages
Close to Monsanto, Castelo Novo village is nestled at the base of the Gardunha mountains. This historical village features a blend of medieval and baroque architecture, picturesque fountains and a castle with sweeping views. Castelo Novo remains authentic and tranquil and it offers a great opportunity to know Portugal’s rural soul.
Less than hour drive from Monsanto, Sortelha is one of the best-preserved medieval villages in Portugal. Enclosed within granite walls, its cobbled streets, stone houses, and 13th-century castle seem to be frozen in time. The village offers incredible views of the surrounding Serra da Estrela mountains and a peaceful atmosphere that invites reflection. It is a must visit for history lovers and visitors looking for authentic and raw charming villages.
For more travel inspiration at the centre of Portugal visit my articles Travel Guide to Piódão and One Weekend around Lousã.
