Castelo de Almourol

The Castelo de Almourol stands on a small rocky island in the middle of the River Tagus, surrounded by water and reached by boat. Its walls and towers rise directly from the granite, making it one of the most picturesque castles in Portugal and a stronghold of the Knights Templar.

A Templar stronghold

The island was fortified in the twelfth century, during the Christian reconquest of the Tagus valley, and was granted to the Knights Templar, who rebuilt the castle on older foundations. It later lost its military importance, and was restored in the twentieth century to the appearance it has today.

What to see

• The castle walls and the keep, rising from the rock.
• The island setting, with views up and down the Tagus.
• The boat crossing from the riverbank, part of the experience.
• The nearby town of Constância, and the river beaches of the Ribatejo.

Visiting the castle

The castle is on an island in the Tagus near Constância, and is reached by boat from the bank. Opening hours and boat times are published by the municipality, so check before your visit.

Visitor information: visitbarquinha.pt.

Image credit: Castelo de Almourol, by Marta Magalhaes, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.