The Historical Villages have not change significantly since the medieval times, are an image of the true Portugal, representing our roots, history and traditions, it is a must visit while in Portugal. They are also an off the beaten track, where you will get the soul of the country, where you will be amazed by the landscape, by the gastronomy and by the people.
Each of the visited villages will be an unique and unforgettable experience.
Witnessed by castles and walls often surrounding them, these villages were entrusted with an obvious defensive role, as some of them are situated not far from the Spanish border, the oldest border in Europe.
12 villages are recognized as part of this heritage:
Almeida – The town is inside a military infrastructure with a hexagonal shape and consisting of six bulwarks, each with its own ravelin.
Belmonte – The Castle, Churches, synagogues, and museums give the tone for an intense visit in experiences.
Castelo Mendo – he verracos, protohistorical igures sculpted in stone have been welcoming messengers for centuries. Whether they are boars or pigs, no one knows for sure.
Castelo Novo – Everything in Castelo Novo requires the senses.
Castelo Rodrigo – The ruins of the medieval castle, with its yellow tone, attracts looks. Those who can’t resist this appeal and immerse themselves in the experience, discover a village full of enchantment and mystery.
Idanha-a-Velha – It is a story written in stone and preserved in the Epigraphic Archive. A short walk allows you to enter a monumental universe where you can ind the Roman wall, Sé Cathedral, the Templar Tower, or an oil mill, from a more recent period.
Linhares da Beira – A 12th century medieval village boasting unequalled architectural and artistic diversity, as a legacy from different ages.
Marialva – This village takes you to the deepest roots of the country’s history in a scenario that reveals one of the living relics of Portuguese ancestry.
Monsanto – Perched on a hilltop that oversees all the surrounding horizons, the village of Monsanto has a unique charm that has earned it two titles in the 20th century – the Most Portuguese Village in Portugal in 1938 and Historical Village in 1995.
Piodão – Embedded on the other side of the mountains, the village of Piódão appears unexpectedly, surprisingly, seductively. It’s one of the most iconic images of Portugal.
Sortelha – It produces an ambiguous sense: the visitor knows they are immersed in the past but has the sensation that the village resisted the passage of the centuries unharmed.
Trancoso – The village concentrates a material and immaterial cultural heritage of centuries of history. The castle, the narrow streets, the architecture, and the stories are witness to these times.
The Historical Villages are well organized and for further details please also check the link: https://aldeiashistoricasdeportugal.com
We invite you to join us in visiting this unforgettable region, we recommend two option, but we always ready to hear your proposal:
– On the way between Lisbon to Porto or Douro, or on the other way, with an overnight.
– A multi-day dedicated trip from Lisbon or Porto.
Our offered programs to visit the Historical Villages were set-up in partnership with the Historical Villages of Portugal Association
For further information and customized service, please contact us!