A DIFFERENT CASTLE
Right in the Ribatejo region, in Vila Nova da Barquinha county, you’ll find a castle like no other in Portugal.
The Almourol Castle stands several meters above the water level of the Tagus river, in an granite island only accessible by boat.
The history of Portugal and that of the Knights Templar crosses here, in this military structure that is now a Portuguese national monument.
The boat trip to access this medieval castle is short and you’ll have to pay € 2.50. But there’s no other way to get there. Once on land, a narrow path through the vegetation leads us to the entrance of the walls.
Once inside you’ll find what was a residential area and the Castle Tower. With about 20 meters high and three floors, this tower guards today an exhibition about the castle history.
Be sure to climb to the top of the wall to spot perfectly the course of the river or stroll the paths outside the castle.
If you stay until the last make sure you know the time of the last boat, or you’ll risk to get stranded in the island. 🙂
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Never heard of the Almourol Castle, but I’ll keep it in mind for a future visit to Portugal! Your pictures are beautiful and the castle looks incredibly well-preserved.
Hi Erika. Thanks for you comment. You must visit it if you have the opportunity.
We love castles of Europe and have seen a few in Spain and Wales and England. We have yet to get to Portugal but it is on our list. We will have to check this one out when we get there.
Hi Rob. If you like castles, Portugal is your kind of place. 😉
The last tip that you gave on making sure to check the last boat departure is a good one! Don’t want to get stranded-but then again, staying on a castle might not be too bad 🙂
Hihihi you’re right, but have in mind that they close the castle by the end of the day, so you’d be sleeping in the ground surrounding it. 😉
This looks like such an interesting place to visit! I love exploring old castles and forts!!
If you castles and forts, Portugal is your kind of country. 😉
I would love to get stranded on the island and have to spend the night in a castle. This sounds like my kind of a night.
hihihi Jennifer, be advised that they close the castle doors at the end of the day, so you’d be sleeping in the castle exterior grounds. 😉
Looks like a great place to explore from the boat ride to the history to the view. Hoping to make it to Portugal next year so I’ll have to make a visit. Thanks for sharing.
What a great find. It’s so fun exploring old castles.
Looks like fun! I love that there are so many fascinating castles across Europe – thinking I’m going to start a bucket list just for castles themselves :D!
I’ve not had the opportunity to visit Portugal yet, but I love exploring new castles. I’m glad to hear Portugal has so many – seems like I could plan a “castle trip” there! 🙂
For sure, John. We have lots of castles full of history.
Ahhh I love castles! We visited a few when we were in Spain and I’d love to visit this one next time we are in Portugal. The boat ride sounds pretty easy and reasonable. Enjoyed the pictures!
Thanks for your comment, Kim-Ling. The boat ride is really easy. It’s to bad is so short. 😉