Monsanto Portugal: A Unique Historical Boulder Village

I still remember it vividly as we approached Monsanto, Portugal after driving through vineyards, and stunning Portuguese landscapes. The sight of what appeared to be a huge mountain speckled with homes built right within it. They were almost hard to see until we got closer. Perfectly blended into the natural landscape around. It’s truly one of the most unique places we have ever been. And as you continue to read you’ll easily see why.

This was the third stop on our 10 day journey through Portugal and makes a perfect road trip. You really only need one night here to see it all, but it’s a wonderful relaxing stay for even longer. Discover this overnight guide and see why we fell in love with “The Most Portuguese Village in Portugal.”

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Monsanto Portugal One-Day Guide

In This Article
History of Monsanto
How to Get to Monsanto
When to Go to Monsanto
Where to Stay in Monsanto
What to Do in Monsanto

Walking the path to the Castle of Monsanto ruins

A Brief History of Monsanto

Monsanto, Portugal is located within the area of Idanha-a-Nova in the central part of the country bordering Spain. It rises on a mountain called Mons Sanctus almost 800 feet above sea level. Granite cottages with burnt orange roofs exist in harmony between and around large boulders which makes for a unique sight. The homes run along a network of irregular tiny stone alleyways, some of which are connected by stairs and go uphill as you ascend the mountain. It is eerily quiet and feels like you’ve stepped back into the early ages.

The village is one of twelve Historical Villages of Portugal which helped to defend the country. It traces back to the Early Stone Age, with presence from Romans, Visigoths and Arabians in the area. In 1165, King Alfonso I gave ownership of the city to Order of Knights Templar, and then the Order of Santiago. Eventually a fortress was built on the top of the mountain called the Castle of Monsanto and was used to protect during invasions in the Middle Ages. However it was destroyed in the nineteenth century due to an explosion from within.

Sunrise over the village and a view of a large boulder home.

How to Get to Monsanto

The best way to get to Monsanto is by car. We rented one from Amoita and had a wonderful experience. They delivered the car to us in Lisbon, and also offer pickup service as well.

You can also take a bus from Lisbon or Porto. Check this site to see if there’s a route from where you’re staying.

Apparently there’s also a train as well, but a car offers the quickest and most convenient way there. You can also stop at other sites along the way as you wish.

Discover more places in our Portugal Road Trip Guide

The beautiful stone streets were empty most of the time

When to Go

The best time to go to Monsanto is during the spring or fall, which are the shoulder seasons. We went during summer and it was pretty hot during the day, so it depends on what you prefer. If you’re into cultural experiences, the Festival of the Holy Cross happens in early May. Women carry rag dolls and flower pots to the castle on top of the mountain, and toss the pots over the walls. Overall, it’s generally not very crowded there, so even in summer we had the streets to ourselves at times.

Where to Stay

Monsanto can easily be done in a day trip, but staying overnight allows you to really slow down and enjoy the village. You can stroll the quiet streets at sunset, or wake up before everyone else and watch the sunrise from the mountain. Although we only stayed one night, you can certainly stay longer and explore some of the parts around.

Within the village there are a few great choices of places to stay. We recommend experiencing one of the boulder houses, which will also mean you’ll be right within the main part of the village. We stayed at Casa de David and really enjoyed it. The owners were very friendly and accommodating. A fresh homemade breakfast is served and included with your stay. The room was comfortable and quite unique with the stone walls all around. There is also a small shop here with a tasteful selection of clothing and accessories.

For those who want to stay in a private home, the Casa Mont’santo gets great reviews and has a private garden for relaxing. Sun Set House is a smaller one very close to the castle with beautiful views.

There are so many wonderful options here, but some do sell out quick with limited availability. So we suggest booking well in advance in order to have more to choose from.

Walking within the walls with Chapel of Santa Maria behind

View from within the castle walls

What to Do in Monsanto

Castle of Monsanto

Although the village is quite small, there is still plenty to keep busy with. One of the main sights is the Monsanto Castle which sits at the very top of the mountain. There’s a walking path which leads up, and you’ll need comfortable shoes for the journey. Aside from the ruins of the castle and its walls, there are other sites to see as well. The Chapel of Santa Maria, Chapel of São João, The Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Castelo, and Church of São Miguel. As you walk from site to site there are gorgeous views of the towns and valleys below, and even of the Serra da Estrela mountain range in the distance. Here’s a helpful outline of all the main sites in the area.

The nearly empty streets were so refreshing!

There were several spots around the village with stunning views

Explore and Shop

One of our favorite things to do here was simply to walk around and explore. During sunset a gorgeous orange sun-kissed glow covers all the stone and is worth the visit alone. It’s fun to walk around the alleyways and see where they lead. Along the way you’ll discover little shops to grab some souvenirs and treasures. We noticed a lot of shops selling ribboned drums and marafona rag dolls, the traditional items from the area. It took us a few hours to explore the streets and little nooks and crannies between the boulder homes. Spending time here makes you feel as if you’re in another era, with the rich history well-preserved.

Watch the Sunset

Watching the sunset is always a must while traveling. But the orange glow on the granite homes with views of the landscapes beyond is stunning. We walked around the streets as the sun was setting and truly enjoyed it. You could also sit and relax at one of the viewpoints, or admire it from Monsanto Castle on top of the mountain.

Pork dish at Petiscos e Granitos

Try the Local Food

There aren’t many choices of restaurants in Monsanto, but it’s always nice to try some local food. We ate at Petiscos e Granitos which was probably one of the better options in the area, but still not that great. The food was ok, but service was quite slow. We wanted to sit outside, but there was no space. So we ended up having to choose one of the inside tables, which was a bit more private. Apparently there are lovely views from the terrace, so consider going early. The restaurants may be closed, so call ahead or ask your guesthouse to recommend one that is open.

A Must-See Historical Village

After being in Lisbon for 3 days, we wanted to see more of the country. Monsanto is definitely one of the unique and less known spots to see. It’s one of the most fascinating places we’ve been and definitely worth checking out. It makes for a wonderful road trip from Lisbon or Porto, and an easy stop on the way to Douro Valley. You can even combine with other sites and do a complete Historical Villages of Portugal tour. These villages are just one of many hidden gems to see in this beautiful country.

Have you been to Monsanto? If so, we’d love to hear more!

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