National Castle Day in Portugal: key events and unmissable castles

With National Castle Day on the horizon, picture Portugal’s hilltop fortresses and coastal bastions opening up with special goings‑on behind the gates. A neat excuse to wander ramparts and explore a stretch of the Romanesque Route.

National Castle Day in Portugal explained

Dia Nacional dos Castelos, or Portugal's National Day of Castles, takes place every year on the 7th of October. It was a date set in 2003 to encourage reflection on Portugal’s fortified heritage, alongside the country's many UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The celebration has run every October since 1984 — once fixed to the first Saturday — and most programmes are scheduled on the nearest weekend so people can actually get to them.

National Castle Day 2025 events

Across Portugal, the participating sites typically span castles, fortified towns, coastal bastions and citadels. You can expect a mix of free or reduced‑entry slots, guided visits, family workshops, evening openings and the occasional living‑history moment. 

São Jorge Castle, Lisbon

At Castelo de São Jorge in Lisbon, the Sunset Tour runs on 6th, 7th and 8th October, free by appointment. On 7th October, the tour includes Portuguese Sign Language interpretation by Hands Voice.

The historical recreation 'In the time of King Dinis' runs on 6th, 7th and 8th October from 3 pm to 8 pm, with access via the standard castle ticket. Expect an armoury exhibition, short educational sessions on apothecary and the crafts of men‑at‑arms, plus a chance to try a Medieval fencing training session.

Palmela. AiresSantos, CC BY-SA 3.0 Creative commons

Arnoia Castle, Celorico de Basto

At Castelo de Arnoia, celebrations kick off on Sunday, 5th October, from 2.30 pm. There’s a guided tour of the castle, an open fencing demonstration for visitors, and distribution of Rota do Românico Passports. All activities are free and designed for families.

Palmela Castle Day course

In Palmela, the Castle Day Course, 'War and Fortifications between King John III and King Sebastian', takes place on 10th and 11th October in the Palmela Municipal Library Auditorium. 

Led by architect Luís Costa e Sousa and historian Joaquim Boiça, it explores 16th‑century military treatises, battlefields and the evolution of fortification. It’s aimed at teachers, university students, tourism technicians and anyone keen on architecture, military history and cultural heritage.

São Jorge.Vitor Oliveira, CC BY-SA 2.0 Creative commons

Top castles to visit in Portugal

Get a feel for different landscapes and stories. Think sweeping views, layered history and a few surprises like boat rides and camera obscuras.

São Jorge Castle, Lisboa

Moorish in origin and taken in 1147 during the siege of Lisboa, this hilltop stronghold later served as a royal alcáçova before earthquake damage and 20th‑century restoration. Standout features include wide views over Baixa, Alfama and the Rio Tejo, an archaeological site, the Torre de Ulisses camera obscura and shady gardens with resident peacocks.

Almourol Castle, Vila Nova da Barquinha

A 12th‑century Templar outpost perched on a granite islet in the Rio Tejo, rebuilt around 1171 during the Reconquista and restored in the 1900s. You reach it by boat, which adds to the drama, and once inside you get narrow stairways, Romanesque details and dreamy golden‑hour views that are a gift for photos.

Marvão. Vitor Oliveira, CC BY-SA 2.0 Creative commons

Marvão Castle, Alentejo

Clinging to a ridge above the Serra de São Mamede, this frontier castle grew from medieval defences consolidated under kings Dinis and João IV to watch the Spanish border. Highlights are the vast cistern, long battlements and the hush of the whitewashed village within the walls, with huge horizons in every direction.

Guimarães Castle, Guimarães

Rooted in a 10th‑century fort raised by Countess Mumadona Dias, it’s tied to Afonso Henriques and the early formation of Portugal, which is why Guimarães is called the “cradle of the nation”. Expect a photogenic keep, crenellated walls you can walk on, and easy pairing with the nearby Paço dos Duques de Bragança and the historic centre.

Silves Castle, Algarve

Rising over former Islamic Xelb, this red‑sandstone fortress flourished under the Almohads, was taken in 1189 and definitively in 1249, then rebuilt and studied extensively. It’s one of Portugal’s best‑preserved Moorish castles, with thick ramparts, excavated cisterns and an interpretation centre, all set above orange groves and the Rio Arade.

Guimarães. António Amen, CC BY-SA 3.0 Creative commons

Large estates and historic homes for sale in Portugal

If you’re tempted to actually live in a castle, there’s a niche but steady flow of historic homes in Portugal. You'll find restored or ruin‑grade castles, solares and palacetes (stately homes), stone villas, country quintas and wine estates. 

• Stately homes and palaces for sale in Northern Portugal
• Stately homes and palaces for sale in the Lisbon District

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