Marvao; Shutterstock ID 44947384; Your name (First / Last): Tom Stainer; GL account no.: 65050 ; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial ; Full Product or Project name including edition: Best in Europe 2017

Shutterstock / LianeM


The formidable castle, built into the rock at the western end of the village, dates from the end of the 13th century, but most of what you see today was built in the 17th century. The views from the battlements are staggering. There’s a huge vaulted cistern (still full of water) near the entrance, and it’s landscaped with hedges and flower beds. The torre de menagem (keep) has displays on the castle’s history even pre-dating its 13th-century founding.

Inside the walls there are several craft shops and a cafe. You can walk around the town on the castle walls. Outside posted opening hours, you can wander freely inside the walls, just watch your step after dark.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Museu Municipal

0.11 MILES

Just southeast of the castle, the Igreja de Santa Maria provides graceful surroundings for this one-room museum. Its renovated exhibition hall offers a…

2. Casa da Cultura

0.21 MILES

In a restored building, this cultural centre hosts changing exhibitions. You can also check out the rustic upstairs courtroom, dating from 1809, and there…

3. Cidade de Ammaia

1.81 MILES

This excellent little Roman museum lies between Castelo de Vide and Marvão in São Salvador de Aramenha. From São Salvador head 700m south along the…

4. Casa da Inquisição

4.32 MILES

Under construction at research, this museum will delve into the dark era of the Inquisition. It's set inside a restored 17th-century mansion.

5. Fonte da Vila

4.33 MILES

In a pretty square just below and east of the judiaria (Jewish quarter) is the worn-smooth 16th-century marble Fonte da Vila, with a washing area. This,…

6. Judiaria

4.39 MILES

By the castle is a small judiaria – the former Jewish district. A sizeable community of Jews settled here in the 12th century, then larger waves came in…

7. Synagogue & Museum

4.4 MILES

Reopened in 2009 after being converted into a museum, the site comprises the original synagogue – two rooms (one for women and one for men), a wooden…

8. Castelo

4.47 MILES

Originally Castelo de Vide’s inhabitants lived within the castle’s sturdy outer walls; even now there remains a small inner village with a church, the…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "portugal/marvao/attractions/castelo/a/poi-sig/1374174/1300067",
      "position": "superzone"
    }