Portugal is a country full of history, amazing landscapes and yes, architectonic wonders. Formed out of the granite rock on the mountain, the ancient village of Monsanto stands about 800 meters above sea level and has spectacular views.
Visiting Monsanto is experiencing a place that stood the test of time. There, in the mountaintop, houses were built in and around huge 200-tonne boulders that defined the local architecture and way of life. The enormous boulders have been utilised as walls, floors, and most astoundingly, as roofs for houses that date back to the 16th century.
Arriving to Monsanto is like stepping into Medieval Portugal, a true time-travel experience. Monsanto is one of the most ancient fortified villages in Portugal and is even known as ‘the most Portuguese village in Portugal’ since 1938.
How to Get to Monsanto?
Monsanto is located in the municipality of Idanha-a-Nova, in Eastern Portugal and just 20km from the Spanish border.
Distancing about 3 hours from Porto (and Lisbon) it’s the perfect road trip for those seeking to discover Portugal’s countryside.
The best way to get to Monsanto is definitely by car. You will be crossing the country from one side to the other and experiencing very different landscapes along the way so it’s totally worth it. Alternatively you can travel to Castelo Branco by bus and then get a taxi to Monsanto, but we would definitely recommend to get a rental car and enjoy the drive!
What to do in Monsanto?
The Monsanto Castle
At the very top of the hill, the Monsanto Castle is definitely the village’s main attraction. Built in the 12th century to protect the kingdom borders, it was successively extended during the following centuries. There’s not a lot left from the original castle besides the fortified walls surrounding it, but the views are definitely the main focal point. The castle offers the most outstanding 360º views over the valleys and hills around Monsanto and it’s even possible to see Serra da Estrela, the highest mountain in Portugal.
From the village, there’s a walking path to the castle which is quite steep so don’t forget your comfortable shoes and enjoy the view!
The Village
Besides visiting the castle, we loved to explore the village. Discover its paths trough the narrow stone alleyways and admire the unique boulder houses was a very special experience. We truly felt like stepping into the Middle Ages!
Depending on the time of the year you are going, the village can be very quiet with just a few tourists and friendly locals. The best time to visit is during the Spring or Fall. It can get too warm during Summer and very cold during the Winter months.
Traditional house built between two gigantic boulders! 
Walking through the stone alleyways was amazing
Another high point in our trip to Monsanto was definitely the local food. There are not a lot of options around, since it’s such a small place, but we had great experiences. Having an early morning breakfast at Taverna Lusitana and dinner at O Cruzeiro really made our trip special. Have in mind that most of the restaurants in Monsanto close very early (normally at 9pm). It can get pretty full during high season so don’t forget to book in advance.
Since we stayed for a full weekend, we also had the opportunity to visit the nearby village of Idanha-a-Velha. This ancient roman town was founded more than 2000 years ago and is, along with Monsanto, one of the 12 Historical Villages of Portugal.
Where to Stay?
During our trip to Monsanto, we stayed at the amazing Casa da Pedra, an adorable little stone house. It has an amazing terrace with a breathtaking view over the Clock Tower (or Lucano Tower) and the surrounding landscape. This was the perfect place to stay and explore the village, since all attractions are just a few meters away. You really only need one night here to see it all, but it’s a wonderful relaxing stay for even longer if you are looking to unwind from the city bustle.
Looking for more places to stay in Monsanto? Check here!
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