Overview
Monsanto, voted “the most Portuguese village in Portugal” in 1938, is a less visited hidden gem of Portugal – a bit outside of the usual road trip routes, but so worth seeing, if only for a half-day visit! This historic village, perched on a hill, is a living museum where time seems to stand still.
Monsanto is special because it is built around huge boulders – the little cottages are built right into the rock, taking advantage of its protection and shade. The place reminds me of other villages built around rocks, like the Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia in Turkey and Setenil de las Bodegas in Spain, a village of actual historical cave dwellers called “troglodytes”.
What to do
- 1 Explore Monsanto Castle
- 2 Check out the iconic landmarks
- 3 Walk around the boulder houses
- 4 Hike the trail of boulders
- 5 Enjoy scenic vistas
- 6 Eat
1 Explore Monsanto Castle
The castle, a historical fortress from the 12th century, provides breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and a glimpse into medieval times. Its location on a hilltop makes it a strategic point for incredible vistas. The view is especially amazing at sunset and sunrise.
2 Check out the iconic landmarks
The village is home to several significant landmarks, including the Igreja Matriz de São Salvador, a 15th-century church, and the Torre de Lucano, a 15th-century tower with a weather vane rooster atop, symbolizing the village’s accolade. Another must-visit is the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, a 17th-century Catholic temple with a simple yet charming architecture.
3 Walk around the Boulder Houses
Unique to Monsanto, these houses are integrated into the massive granite boulders that dot the landscape. Some of the older houses, like Casa da Gruta and the Petiscos & Granitos restaurant, offer a glimpse into the village’s distinctive architecture.
4 Hike the Trail of Boulders
The Rota dos Barrocais is a 4.5km scenic trail that winds through the village and up the hill towards the castle, offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside. It starts next to the Tourism Office and Gastronomy Museum. From there it’s pretty easy to follow the horizontal yellow and red stripes painted onto rocks, signs and trees.
5 Enjoy scenic vistas
Monsanto has several miradouros (viewpoints) offering stunning views of the village and its surroundings. The Miradouro do Forno and Miradouro da Praca dos Canhoes are particularly noteworthy for their beautiful vistas.
6 Eat
Don’t miss trying the local pastry, pastel de cereja, a cherry-filled delight similar to the famous pastel de nata. For dining, the Petiscos & Granitos restaurant, known for being built around a huge granite boulder, offers traditional dishes and a friendly atmosphere. There’s even a Museum of Gastronomy in town, which says a lot;)
How much time you need
You can visit Monsanto in a day – best if you plan to stay for sunset and then head to a bigger city to sleep, like Castelo Branco. Or you can stay in Monsanto, there are a couple of great hotels here, albeit with smaller capacity, so book ahead in high season! Monsanto experiences cold winters and warm, dry summers. The best time to visit is from spring to summer for more comfortable weather.
How to get there
Unless you are joining a day tour, you need to rent a car to get to Monsanto. If you’re coming from Porto, the journey by car is approximately three and a half hours. From Coimbra, it’s about two hours and 20 minutes by car. The best way to explore Monsanto is on foot, given its mountainous terrain and narrow, stone-paved streets.
