"Monsanto - a beautiful village in Portugal" Top 5 Page for this destination Monsanto by easyoar

Monsanto Travel Guide: 66 reviews and 131 photos

Looking down on Monsanto from the Castle

Monsanto (the name these days has conotations with GM farming!) is a beautiful little village in Portugal that is famous for being Portugals most Portuguese looking village/town.

House between two rocks - Monsanto, Portugal

Another reason it is famous is that it is built around huge rocks that are scattered around, and some houses actually use rocks as walls. These houses can be extremely photogenic!

I visited Monsanto when I was driving between Lisbon and Madrid, I seem to remember that whilst it wasn't necessarily the most direct route, it wasn't a bad way of going either.

The best way of visiting Monsanto is to just park up and wander around the narrow streets, possibly climbing up as far as the castle on the hill, which gives somee stunning views down into the town!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Beautiful, peaceful little village
Cons:A little out of the way - may be too quiet for some!
In a nutshell:Worth a day trip for anyone.

Last visit to Monsanto: Mar 2003
Intro Updated Dec 26, 2004
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Reviews (17)

Monsanto's Pousada Hotels (1)

Whilst we didn't stay here, we went inside for a drink, and found it very pleasant and very friendly inside. The bar... more travel advice

Views from the castle Things to Do (12)

Of course, most people don't climb up to the castle to see the castle, and I certainly didn't either. The only real... more travel advice

Bizarre steps at Monsanto Castle - Monsanto

Bizarre Castle Steps Things to Do (12)

There isn't too much to say about these castle steps really! You have to climb them to go up over the castle wall and... more travel advice

All that is left of Monsanto Castle - Monsanto

What's left of Monsanto's Castle Things to Do (12)

Monsanto has a ruined castle up on the hill above it. It has a great position as you can see down all around you and it... more travel advice

Favorites (2)
See All Monsanto in Spring time

Transportation (2)
See All Walking is the only way to see the town

Comments (17)

Jeanlyon Mar 22, 2009 at 10:29 AM Report Abuse

Thank you - we are going there next year. Very useful. We will stay in the Pousada!
traveldave Aug 1, 2006 at 3:12 PM Report Abuse

I didn't have a car when I was in Portugal, so unfortunately I didn't get to see any out-of-the-way towns like Monsanto. Looks like a fascinating place, but I would agree that it probably isn't the most Portuguese of cities.
RafaelTheSecond May 26, 2006 at 4:09 PM Report Abuse

Portugal has a warm welcome, they treat us like kings, you know, they love brazilians!;)
BluBluBlu Apr 30, 2006 at 1:58 AM Report Abuse

What a weird little place! Great photo's...Blu
Pete.Gibson Apr 10, 2006 at 1:36 PM Report Abuse

What a strange town.. weird the way everything is built amongst the rocks.. Thanks for sharing
cheesecake17 Jul 1, 2005 at 12:40 AM Report Abuse

very interesting place and a must see when going to portugal...thanks ......ursula
Confucius May 30, 2005 at 11:44 PM Report Abuse

I've got just a casual interest in Portugal. VT member Mariazinha has suggested a couple places to me, and I should perhaps include this one as well.
matcrazy1 Apr 18, 2005 at 3:12 PM Report Abuse

Thank you for that page on beautiful, peaceful little village I would never find by myself...
Dabs Mar 1, 2005 at 3:28 PM Report Abuse

The cow story sounds like a fairy tale :-) Or perhaps a Monty Python skit!
LoriPori Feb 14, 2005 at 6:32 AM Report Abuse

Monsanto should definitely be voted "Most Original". I was especially intrigued by the house built around a rock & the one built under a rock. Amazing!! Lori.