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Castelo de Almourol em Portugal: Como Visitar

September 26, 2024João Petersen
Castelo de Almourol em Portugal: Como Visitar

Almourol Castle, in Portugal

Complete Guide (2025)

Almourol Castle, or “Castelo de Almourol,” sits majestically on a small granite islet in the middle of the Tagus River, offering a unique glimpse into Portugal’s rich history. The name “Almourol” likely comes from the Arabic “Al-morolan,” meaning “high stone,” hinting at its ancient roots. Originally constructed before 1129, the castle was rebuilt by the Templars in 1171, serving as a stronghold during the Christian Reconquest and guarding vital trade routes. This enchanting location is not only a historical gem but also a place of legends and mysteries. Tales of tragic knights and beautiful maidens haunt its stone walls, adding an air of intrigue to your visit. Today, the only way to explore this captivating site is by boat, with a short tour lasting less than an hour. You can also kayak or try stand-up paddleboarding around the castle, making for an exciting day on the water. As the first article in a series highlighting almost 200 castles of Portugal, this post will delve into Almourol Castle’s fascinating past, its architectural wonders, and the magical experiences awaiting visitors. Get ready to embark on a journey through history and adventure!

Table of Contents

Almourol Castle: General Details

Here’s a quick overview of what you need to know about Almourol Castle, including highlights, activities, entrance prices, and opening hours:

For more information please get in touch with the local tourism board on their official website or through the following contacts: Useful contacts: Almourol Templar Interpretation Center (CITA)

Tourism Office in Vila Nova da Barquinha

Jhos at the viewpoint

Jhos at the Almourol Castle viewpoint

Almourol Castle: History & Curiosities

Name Origin:

Location:

Construction Date:

Architectural Style:

Historical Significance:

Legends and Mysteries:

Topography:

Strategic Role:

Evolution Over Time:

Cultural Status:

Restoration and Tourism:

Recent Developments:

The Almourol Castle before sunset

The Almourol Castle before sunset

An aerial view of the Almourol Castle

An aerial view of the Almourol Castle

How to visit Almourol Castle

You can explore on your own by taking a public boat to the castle or just spend time in the area in front of it. You can also head to the other side of the Tagus River, where you can visit the beach or the Miradouro do Almourol. Alternatively, you can join a tour from Lisbon, combining the Knights Templar Tour in Tomar and Almourol, or visit other popular spots like Fátima, Batalha, Nazaré, and Óbidos. No matter how you do it, visiting Almourol Castle is definitely worth it—you’ll only regret it if you miss out when you have the chance.

Making the Most of Your Almourol Castle Trip

What Can I See at Almourol Castle?

At Almourol Castle, visitors can admire the impressive Templar military architecture, including high granite walls, nine circular towers, and a central keep. The views from the top offer a stunning panorama of the Tagus River and the surrounding landscape. While the castle itself doesn’t house a museum, the nearby Templar Interpretation Center (CITA) in Vila Nova da Barquinha provides valuable insights into its rich history and legends.

The Templar Castle standing in the middle of the Tagus River

The Almourol Castle standing in the middle of the Tagus River

How much does it cost to visit Almourol Castle?

Visiting Almourol Castle offers several options to explore this stunning historical site, and the pricing varies depending on the type of tour or activity you choose. Here’s a detailed breakdown: Public Boat Departures From the Castle’s Dock:

From the Castle’s Dock:

Tours with Tritejo Agency: Solar-Powered Boat Tour:

Traditional Boat Tour:

Epic Sunset Boat Tour:

Tours with Aventur Agency: Stand-Up Paddle:

Canoeing:

Payment and Reservations

Where to Park near Almourol Castle

There is a large parking lot next to the Almourol Castle dock, which offers stunning views of the castle itself. This makes it an ideal spot to leave your vehicle while exploring the castle and enjoying the scenery. The parking area is easily accessible

The Almourol Castle at Sunset and the Bar do Castelo, the parking lot and the dock of the castle on the right

The Almourol Castle at Sunset and the Bar do Castelo, the parking lot and the dock of the castle

Amenities at the Almourol Castle

Right by the castle parking lot, the Bar do Castelo restaurant offers food and drinks, along with restroom facilities (WC). In addition to this, the nearby villages of Tancos, Constância, and Vila Nova da Barquinha have a variety of amenities, including restaurants, ATMs, and pharmacies. Whether you need a quick bite, cash, or any essentials, these villages have you covered.

At the horizon Tancos, and after the hill Vila Nova da Barquinha

At the horizon after the castle Tancos, and over the hill Vila Nova da Barquinha

Where to Stay near Almourol Castle

You can either sleep at Constância, Tancos, or Vila Nova da Barquinha. If you prefer larger towns Tomar, Entroncamento or Abrantes are nice options. If you’re just on a day trip from Lisbon then you might find these articles useful:

How to get to Almourol Castle:

From Lisbon: By Car: It takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach Almourol Castle. Start by taking the A1 highway for approximately 100 km, then exit onto the A23 towards Abrantes/Castelo Branco/Torres Novas. After about 20 km, take the N3 exit towards Fonte Santa – Castelo de Almourol. By Public Transport:  There are several trains and buses available to reach the castle. From Santa Apolónia station, take the CP Alpha Pendular or Regional Train towards Porto Campanhã and get off after approximately 1 hour at Entroncamento. From there, catch the Regional Train to Badajoz and get off after two stops (about 10 minutes) at Almourol. The castle is a 17-minute walk from the station. You can also take a Rede Expressos or Alsa bus to Abrantes or Torres Novas, and then get off earlier or transfer to a local bus to Almourol. Each way should cost around 10-11€ - You can buy your train or bus tickets directly at Omio - I personally always book with them because sometimes you can find buses you didn’t know about or get discounts, making it really convenient to use.

View on Google Maps

Other Attractions near Almourol Castle

Here is a short list of what other interesting things you can see around the Almourol Castle. If I’d extend the radio a bit more the list would be endless. Cultural & Religious: Convent of Christ in Tomar Aqueduct Convent of Christ Castles and Fortifications: Torres Novas Castle Abrantes Castle Castle of Belver Nature Reserve - Animal Observatory: Boquilobo Bog Natural Reserve Roman Ruins: Villa Cardilium - Roman Ruins Ruínas da Cidade Romana de Escora Ruínas Romanas de Alcolobre Roman Bridge of Choca Palhas Swimming/Beaches: Porto das Mulheres Beach Neolithic Remains: Dolmen Foz do Rio Frio Anta do Penedo Gordo

The Torres Novas fortification

Check this All-Inlcusive Tour from Lisbon

What clothing should i bring to Almourol Castle?

It really depends on what activity you’re doing there. If you’re just visiting by public boat and taking some photos then:

If you’re doing Kayak or Stand-Up Paddle then you might want to consider some of these items:

Check out my complete guide on What’s in My Backpack - From photography gear, and clothing for Hiking, Mountaineering, Scuba Diving, Rainforest, and City-Street Photography.

The beautiful reflections of the Almourol Castle on the Tagus River

The beautiful reflections of the Almourol Castle on the Tagus River

My Experience on the Almourol Castle

We visited Almourol Castle on a one-day trip from Lisbon. We first drove to Torres Novas to see its castle, and what a treat that was! I was eager to try flying my drone there and capture a bird’s-eye view. Luckily, despite concerns that it might have been damaged during our trip to Greece earlier this summer, after a proper calibration, it worked flawlessly. The plan was to visit Torres Novas Castle, check out the Villa Cardilium Roman ruins, and then head to Almourol Castle at sunset for some epic shots. However, we ended up skipping the Roman ruins to have lunch and relax a bit. We dined in Torres Novas’ main square in front of the castle, then went straight to Almourol. We arrived about an hour before sunset, parked at the lot near the dock, and were amazed by how beautiful and scenic the castle was. It was my first major photography goal in Portugal. We scouted around, found some great compositions with the castle’s reflection in the river, and finally, I decided to fly my drone.

The first shot of the building upon arrival

The first shot of Almourol Castle upon arrival

I was initially worried that I wouldn’t be able to fly it due to the nearby Tancos Military Airfield, but after going through some authorization steps via my phone and drone controller, I managed to get DJI clearance. Hopefully, one day I’ll get the necessary Portuguese ministry authorization, so I don’t have to deal with these issues, but for now, it’s what we have to do. Once in the air, I joined another guy who was piloting his drone from his canoe, and the shots were absolutely stunning. This is one of those places where the aerial perspective alone makes the trip worthwhile. The setting was so remarkable, you can easily imagine how strategically important it was as part of the Templars’ Linha do Tejo defense system against the Moors during the Reconquista. After a while, I brought the drone back down, and we went to the nearby bar to grab a drink. Then, we drove back to Lisbon. What a day! It really makes me wonder how many other amazing places there are to visit. I’m definitely looking forward to returning to Almourol, both to visit the castle’s interior and see the view from the viewpoint on the other side of the river. I’d also love to try kayaking from Constância to Tancos or maybe even some stand-up paddleboarding—sounds like a fun adventure! Have you been to Almourol Castle before? I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! On the lookout for the best perspective of the templar structure The castle's reflection Jhos and the castle Some shots of Jhos and the castle Some more perfect shots of the Castle The surroundings of the castle Chasing Reflections of the fortification The beautiful reflections of the templar Castle on the Tagus River The blue hour on the Almourol Castle The first drone shot of Almourol Castle Castelo de Almourol ao Pôr-do-Sol Vista aérea do Castelo de Almourol Vista aérea ao pôr-do-sol O Castelo ao Pôr do Sol Castelo de Almourol

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