A Quick Guide to Visiting Monsaraz A Stunning Hilltop Village in the Alentejo
I fell in love with the Alentejo region of Portugal the first time I visited, but I had only spent time in Évora, its capital city. When I had the opportunity to travel more slowly by car, Monsaraz was one of the first places I wanted to see.
Tucked away on a hilltop, Monsaraz is a fortified medieval village close to the border of Spain. It sits picturesquely above Europe’s largest artificial lake, the Alqueva Reservoir. While small and maybe a “little too picturesque,” the village itself is a delight to explore.
Scattered among the sun-kissed plains that seem to stretch on endlessly, find fascinating prehistoric megalithic monuments. Many of these stones have been standing for over 5,000 years. These sacred sites can be accessed from Monsaraz, providing a glimpse into the ancient caretakers of the land.
Monsaraz village is also unique as it has been influenced by the Moors and the Christians, and is said to have ties to the Knights Templar.
Here is a quick guide on visiting Monsaraz and why it’s worth visiting.
Table of Contents
- How to Get to Monsaraz
- What to See in Monsaraz
- Where to Sleep in Monsaraz
- Places to See Near Monsaraz
- Is Monsaraz Worth Visiting?
- Conclusion | Overview & Tips for Visiting Monsaraz
How to Get to Monsaraz
There are a few ways to visit Monsaraz. I think the best option is to rent a car. The Alentejo is Portugal’s largest region and makes up about 1/3 of the country. With so much space, a car is almost essential to explore the nooks and crannies of this overlooked and sleepy region.
We spent a few days exploring the Alentejo on a slow and lazy road trip.
Another option is to base in Évora. There are buses to Monsaraz, but the times are limited, and they require a transfer.
However, those staying in Évora can join in on a guided tour. There are also guided tour options from Lisbon.
Monsaraz Tours
This full-day tour from Lisbon spends time in Évora and allows two hours for sightseeing in Monsaraz
Another option is to join a private tour to Évora from Lisbon, which can include a stop in Monsaraz
From Évora explore Monsaraz and learn more about the wine of the region
A Note About Visiting Monsaraz
There are no cars allowed within the fortified walls of Monsaraz. Those with a car can utilize the free parking lots outside. We used this parking lot.
Entrance to the fortified village is via one of the 4 village gates, with Porta da Alcoba being the easiest to access from the parking lots.
What to See in Monsaraz Portugal
Most of the sights can be explored in Monsaraz casually over a few hours. However, it’s easy to slow down and spend the night and see some of the nearby sites.
Wander the Cobblestone Streets
Monsaraz is a fortified hillside village with the surrounding landscapes providing a glimpse into history dating back over 5,000 years. The village was a winner for Portugal’s 7 Wonders contest in the category of villages. It won for being a monument village, with a rich history packed within its walls.
The village itself dates back to around 1167 and has a church, a castle, a cistern, and its visible walled fortification with 4 main entrance gates.
Monsaraz is compact, and with only a few streets within the walls, it’s an easy stroll through the picturesque streets. Find a few cafes, bars, and shops all within the walls of Monsaraz.
A cool thing when we were visiting is there were old photos from the village on display outside many of the houses.
Monsaraz Castle
The most iconic site within the walls is the Monsaraz Castle. The construction dates back to the 14th century. It served as a military fortress until 1830 and can now be visited for free. It is sometimes utilized as a bullfighting ring during festivals.
The Castle provides some of the best views of the village. Even more, it provides stunning vistas of the vastness of the Alentejo countryside. This is one of the best views to appreciate the Alqueva Reservoir.
Outside the Monsaraz Castle is a bar with a nice outdoor space to sit and enjoy a beverage.
Walk to the Town Door (Porta da Vila)
There are four gates of Monsaraz: Porta da Vila, Porta de Évora, Porta do Buraco, and Porta da Alcoba. Most people will enter Monsaraz via Porta da Alcoba.
However, one of the most striking and said to be the “main entrance” gate to the village is Porta da Vila. This entrance gate has two cylindrical towers and is topped with a clock tower. The bell is inscribed with a date of 1692.
I think this is one of the best viewpoints to appreciate the cork fields that look like golden patches. If you follow the road out of the gate, you’ll pass by numerous accommodation options and all the way to São Bento Hermitage with an uninterrupted vista.
Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Lagoa
The main church within the Monsaraz fortified walls is the Church of Our Lady of the Lagoon. It was built in the 16th century and has been rebuilt twice (including after destruction from the Lisbon earthquake of 1755.
We didn’t go inside, but simply appreciated the white-washed building along the schist (slate) streets.
Browse the Gift Shops
The Alentejo region is known for its numerous villages that produce artisanal products. In fact, many artisan villages surround Monsaraz.
Do take the time to wander in one of the many gift shops throughout town. We loved Coisas de Monsaraz near the Castle and Casa Tial, which was more like a gourmet shop with local goodies.
Praia Fluvial de Monsaraz
Those more interested in taking a dip in Europe’s largest artificial lake can head down to the Monsaraz Beach. This lake was created by a dam placed along the Guadiana River when the floodgates were closed in 2002. It stretches all the way across the border into Spain.
The main parking is found here, and there is a little bar located not far from the parking and a restaurant.
Remember, the Alentejo region can be really hot during the summer months.
Where to Sleep in Monsaraz
There are a handful of places to sleep within the fortified walls of Monsaraz.
Here are some of the most popular places to stay within the walls.
Alternatively, just past the main Porta da Vilha gate are quite a few options.
➜ Browse all the Places to Sleep in Monsaraz
Places to See Near Monsaraz
Monsaraz village sits on the hilltop, and with its connection to the Neolithic past, there are plenty of things to see nearby.
Megalithics from the Neolithic Period
This region in Portugal is most famous for its megalithic monuments that are said to date back more than 5,000 years. In the landscape surrounding Monsaraz are more than 150 megalithic structures, from stone circles to dolmens.
By far the two most famous of the region are the Menir of Almendres and the Cromlech of Almendres, which is actually a circular structure. These are closer to Évora.
While we were visiting Monsaraz, it’s easy to visit Cromeleque do Xerez, and we stopped at the Anta 2 do Olival da Pega (Dolmen).
There are also lots of Menhirs around Monaraz, which are tall, single-standing stones.
Interested in knowing more about these sacred sites? Join this tour by local archaeologists from Évora that takes you to the Menhir of Almendres and the Cromlech of Almendres
Observatório do Lago Alqueva (OLA)
The Alqueva Lake Observatory prides itself on being the world’s first “Starlight Tourism Destination.” Located just above the Alqueva Reservoir, this area is part of the protected Dark Sky Reserve. This is one of the best places to observe the night sky.
Observatório do Lago Alqueva provides astronomy observations in English and Portuguese.
São Pedro do Corval
Located only a 15-minute drive away from Monsaraz is the tiny pueblo of São Pedro do Corval. This artisan village is famous for its hand-painted pottery, with more than 20 artisan shops. In fact, this village has the largest concentration of pottery shops in Portugal.
Most of the shops are found on the main street. It’s fun to browse each shop and see the unique style of each handicrafter.
Is Monsaraz Worth Visiting?
Yes, Monsaraz is definitely worth visiting. Although small, this beautiful village is packed with history, beautiful slate streets, whitewashed homes, and historical monuments. The village itself is considered one of Portugal’s most beautiful monument villages. With its rich history and megalithic gems, and a landscape filled with cork, olive, and almond trees, Monsaraz is a must-see in the Alentejo region.
Conclusion | Overview and Tips for Visiting Monsaraz in Portugal’s Alentejo Region
In short, this is a quick overview of what to see in Monsaraz, one of the Alentejo’s most beautiful fortified villages. This guide includes how to get to Monsaraz, things to see within the village walls, and sites worth exploring nearby.
While small, Monsaraz has plenty of worthwhile sites and can be casually explored over a few hours, or is a quiet place to rest on an Alentejo road trip.
Don’t miss this special place when visiting the rolling plains of the sun-soaked Alentejo region in Portugal.
Have you visited Monsaraz? What did you think? Are there any updates I should know about? Let me know in the comments below.
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