9 Medieval Portuguese Towns You Could Move To

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A medieval stone castle in Bragança Portugal stands under a clear blue sky. The fortress features a tall rectangular tower with arched windows and crenelated battlements. Two people are positioned near the castle's entrance, highlighting its grand scale.
Written by / Last updated on June 4, 2024

Picture yourself waking up to the sound of church bells, strolling along cobblestone streets, and admiring the quaint architecture of centuries past. These captivating places offer a glimpse into Portugal’s rich history and culture, allowing you to experience a way of life that has remained largely unchanged for generations.

If you’re seeking an escape from the modern world and yearn for a more genuine and timeless lifestyle, these medieval towns are the perfect destination. Far from the high-rises of the Algarve coast or the international bustle of cities like Lisbon and Porto, these hidden gems provide a peaceful and enchanting setting for those looking to call Portugal their new home.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the most postcard-perfect towns and villages you could pick to make your new home in Portugal.

Marvão

Aerial view of a historic stone fortress in Marvão with winding walls perched on a hilltop, surrounded by Portugal's lush green hills and mountains. Inside the fortress, there are pathways, benches, trees, and visitors exploring the area under a partly cloudy sky.

Perched on a craggy plateau high up the mountain, the picturesque village of Marvão offers stunning 360-degree views of Alentejo’s arid plains from its castle. In fact, according to Nobel prize-winning author José Saramago, “From Marvão one can see the entire land.”

Unlike most fortified towns, the entirety of this diminutive town is inside the thick, medieval walls. The main attraction is Marvão’s 13th-century castle, where visitors can explore the serpentine passageways and cavernous cistern, which is still filled with water.

Marvão’s charm lies not only in its historical landmarks but also in the tranquil lifestyle it offers. The slow pace of life and the friendly locals create a welcoming environment that will make you feel right at home.

A white car is parked in front of a historic white church with a bell tower and red-tiled roof, a picturesque scene often found in Portugal. The church sits on a cobblestone path with a stone castle and bright blue sky in the background. Shrubbery and a small tree flank the right side of the church.
A stone castle in Portugal stands atop a steep hill with a stunning panoramic view of the mountains and valleys below. The castle features a large square tower and surrounding walls, partially extending along the rocky terrain. The area around the castle includes a checkerboard-patterned courtyard.
A narrow cobblestone alley in a quaint Portuguese village is bordered by whitewashed buildings with dark wooden window frames. An architectural arch connects two structures above. The scene is well-lit with sunlight, and plants add a touch of greenery.
An old, rusted cannon is mounted on a stone platform within a historical fortress in Portugal. Surrounding the cannon are ancient, weathered stone walls. In the background, a white church with a bell tower stands against a backdrop of rolling hills and a partly cloudy sky.

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Monsanto

Scenic view of the historic village of Monsanto in Portugal with stone buildings and red-tiled roofs nestled among large boulders. Umbrellas cover a seating area below the rocks. The landscape extends into rolling hills under a partly cloudy sky.

Monsanto, a village located high on a hill overlooking the surrounding plain, seems to rise out of huge granite boulders, creating a truly enchanting atmosphere. The eerie remains of a castle and church add to the village’s mystical charm. Monsanto is at the centre of several long-distance hiking trails and gets its name from Monte Santo, the nearby mountain.

Declared “The Most Portuguese Village in Portugal” in 1938, Monsanto was already famous before being granted historical status in 1995. The oldest part of the village is also the highest point, where Knights Templar constructed the keep.

Living in Monsanto would be like living in a fairytale, with its massive boulders and picturesque setting. The village’s charm and tranquility make it an ideal destination for those seeking a peaceful and authentic lifestyle, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the remnants of Portugal’s fascinating past.

A narrow cobblestone path winds between two massive boulders in the historical village of Monsanto, Portugal. Small stone houses with clay-tiled roofs are clustered in the background, with mountains visible under a blue sky dotted with white clouds, epitomizing the charm of rural Portugal.
The image shows an ancient stone structure in Portugal with large, weathered rock formations incorporated into its walls. A few trees are growing on and around the rocks. The sky is clear and blue with some scattered clouds, and the surrounding area is grassy.
A stone building with a red roof sits atop a rocky hill in Portugal, surrounded by ancient stone walls under a partly cloudy sky. The landscape below stretches out with rolling hills and vast plains, creating a scenic and serene view.
A stone fortress wall with an arched doorway stands prominently against a partly cloudy sky in Portugal. Attached to the wall is a large, uniquely shaped rock protruding outward. The ground near the structure is covered with dry grass and a few small stones.
Two massive boulders with rough surfaces are positioned side by side, with a tree growing between them. The scene, reminiscent of Portugal’s rugged landscapes, is set near a paved roadway, with hills and scattered vegetation in the background. A stone bench is placed at the base of the boulders.

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Idanha-a-Velha

A quaint, historic village square in Idanha-a-Velha features a stone pillory in the center, an old stone building on the left, and a small chapel with a cross and bell tower on the right. Three people stand near the chapel entrance under a bright blue sky.

Idanha-a-Velha is an architectural gem, recognised as one of the oldest villages in Portugal. Its heritage reflects Celtic, Roman Classicist, Visigothic, Arabic, Medieval, and Portuguese Manueline influences. As an added bonus, the 16th-century church holds the largest collection of Roman epigraphs in Europe, making it ideal for history and architecture enthusiasts.

While situated close to Monsanto, Idanha-a-Velha doesn’t attract as many tourists and so would offer a more peaceful environment for living.

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Silves

Silves Castle

Silves, a town that once served as the capital of the Algarve, stands out for its stunning Arabic architecture. The most notable attraction is the castle, which is considered the best-preserved in the entire Algarve region. The church and Roman bridge are also popular historical sites that draw visitors from far and wide.

Every year, Silves hosts a week-long Medieval Fair around the castle, with dates varying but usually falling in the second week of August. During this event, the town transforms into a vibrant recreation of life in the 11th to 13th centuries.

Silves offers a unique experience in the Algarve, combining the benefits of living in this beautiful region with the charm of residing in a medieval town. It’s a perfect destination for those seeking a distinctive and historically rich lifestyle that sets it apart from other towns in the area.

A historic stone bridge with several arches spans across a calm river in Portugal. The left side features a tree and empty benches along a paved walkway, while the background consists of green hills and a few buildings under a lightly clouded, blue sky.
A man in a pink shirt and jeans stands on the stone pathway of a red brick medieval castle in Portugal, resting his arm on the wall and looking into the distance. The background shows a green hilly landscape with buildings.
A large, historic church in Portugal with a weathered white and brown facade features a prominent arched entrance and a clock tower on the right. Several people are gathered on the steps leading up to the entrance. The sky is clear and blue, with a few clouds in the background.

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Monsaraz

Aerial view of a historic village with white buildings in Monsaraz, Portugal. The village is perched on a hill with a large church and a stone fortress. In the background, there's a body of water and expansive, scenic landscape under a clear sky.

Monsaraz, one of the oldest settlements in Southern Portugal, is a magical hilltop village with cobblestone streets lined with 15th and 16th century whitewashed buildings. The fortified city was once guarded by the Knights of Templar, who were fearful of more Arab attacks.

The remarkable 13th-century castle offers sweeping views of the surrounding countryside and was once used for bullfighting. In the main square, across from the church, stands an ornate 18th-century pillory made from local white marble and topped with a sphere of the universe.

With its location right next to the Portuguese-Spanish border, this is an ideal consideration for those that want to experience both Spanish and Portuguese culture.

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Óbidos

A photograph of a medieval castle in Obidos, Portugal with high stone walls and cylindrical towers against a partly cloudy blue sky. The foreground features leafless trees and tall grass. The castle has a rugged, weathered appearance, indicating its age and historical significance.

Óbidos is renowned for its picturesque charm and well-preserved architecture. Within the town’s walls, there is a stunning castle and a maze of streets lined with white houses.

Óbidos was gifted to Queen Isabel in 1282 after she fell in love with its charming little yellow, blue, and white cottages, labyrinthine streets, and the imposing bastions and crenelated city walls.

This is also an ideal location for bibliophiles, with 14 bookstores within the city walls. Perhaps the most surprising is Livraria de Santiago, located inside a historic church. Another noteworthy bookstore has taken over an old vegetable market and sells produce alongside glossy volumes on wine and travel. In 2015, UNESCO named Óbidos a City of Literature.

Although the town can be touristy due to the historical attractions, most of this takes place during the day. After hours, it’s quiet, relaxing, and feels very much like you’ve stepped back in time.

The image shows a historic stone fortress with crenellated walls next to a white building with ornate windows and a small balcony. The scene, reminiscent of Portugal's architectural charm, includes an outdoor area with greenery and a backdrop of a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.
A quaint cobblestone street in a historic Portuguese village features a small, ancient chapel with a stone archway on the left and colorful buildings with flowerpots and balconies on the right. Several people are walking and relaxing in the picturesque setting under a bright blue sky.
A couple stands outside a small wine shop on a cobblestone street in Portugal. The shop has a narrow entrance with shelves filled with wine bottles. The man and woman are talking to the shop attendant, who is standing inside. A large pottery jug is on the ground to the left.
A historic white church with a tall steeple and a cross on top, featuring ornate architecture and wooden doors, stands under a bright blue sky in Portugal. A large tree with lush green foliage is in the foreground, partially shading the building.
A narrow, cobblestone street in Portugal, lined with historic buildings, extends into the distance under a blue sky with scattered clouds. The left wall is made of stone, while the right wall is white with a red base, adorned with plant pots and greenery.
A narrow cobblestone street in the quaint village of Obidos white and blue-painted houses. Colorful flowers and green plants adorn the sides. The sky is clear and blue, adding a vibrant backdrop to the charming, idyllic scene.

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Sortelha

A medieval stone courtyard under a blue sky with scattered clouds. It features a tall stone column with a sculpture on top, situated on stepped circular platforms. Surrounding buildings showcase old stone architecture with arched openings and shuttered windows.

As the oldest fortress town on Portugal’s frontier with Spain, Sortelha is a fortified hilltop village with massive medieval stone walls, squat granite buildings topped with red, barrel-tiled roofs, and spectacular views of the surrounding countryside (Spain’s border is less than 30 miles away).

The ruins of Sortelha’s Romanesque-Gothic rock castle, dating back to the 12th century, are easily the most impressive sight in town. Visitors enter the city through an impressive Gothic gate, where openings can still be seen from where boiling oil and rocks were thrown down on invaders. Looking down at the boulder-strewn landscape, one can well imagine Napoleon’s troops marching through town and blowing up the castle.

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Piodão

A scenic view of Pidão hillside village with numerous brick and stone houses, some with red-tiled roofs, nestled among terraced green fields. A compact cluster of buildings sits amidst lush vegetation and trees. The village has narrow winding roads and pathways.

Nestled up in the mountains of the Serra do Açor, the small village of Piodão looks like it is straight out of a fairytale. It is one of 12 villages classified as Aldeias Históricas de Portugal (Historical Villages of Portugal) and has been featured in historical accounts since the 14th century.

Almost abandoned until a few decades ago, it was only accessible by horseback or on foot until the 1970s. Even though it is now possible to drive in, the trip is a nail-biter, with narrow and steep roads, hairpin turns, and no guardrails.

The village itself is postcard-perfect, clinging to the ledges of a deep valley. The narrow streets are also made of schist, giving the entire village an ancient, monochromatic feel, with the lone exception being the village’s white stone church. On a rainy day, the village emerges from the fog when viewed from the other side of the mountain, creating a truly enchanting sight.

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Lindoso

Lindoso village with the castle in the background

Situated in the Peneda Gerês National Park, more precisely in the municipality of Ponte da Barca, lies the village of Lindoso. The countryside boasts the largest set of granaries on the Iberian Peninsula, a testament to the community’s tradition, while the imposing castle serves as a striking reminder of the village’s rich history.

Living here, you would have the entire Peneda Gerês National Park on your doorstep. You would also be right on the Spanish border, and able to cross over and explore Spain as and when you pleased.

A house in Lindoso
A street in Lindoso, with the church in the background
Granaries in Lindoso

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