Castelo Branco, situated in east-central Portugal near the Spanish border, is a city that seamlessly blends its historical roots with modern development. With a population of around 50,000, it offers a comfortable, small-city lifestyle while serving as the capital of the Castelo Branco District.
The city is known for its well-preserved old town, centered around the 13th-century castle that gives the city its name. The Jardim do Paço Episcopal, a Baroque garden with intricate statuary, is a point of pride for locals and a draw for visitors.
Economically, Castelo Branco has been working to diversify beyond its traditional textile and agricultural base. The city has developed industrial parks and technology centers to attract new businesses and create employment opportunities.
The climate is continental Mediterranean, with hot summers and cold winters. This diverse weather contributes to the region’s varied agriculture, including the production of cheese, olive oil, and wine.
Education is well-supported, with the Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco providing higher education options. The city also has a range of primary and secondary schools.
The cost of living in Castelo Branco is relatively low compared to larger Portuguese cities, making it an attractive option for families and retirees. The city’s location also offers easy access to natural areas like the Serra da Estrela mountains, providing opportunities for outdoor activities and weekend getaways.
Property Is Affordable
Castelo Branco is renowned for having some of the most affordable property in Portugal, making it an attractive destination for those moving to the country on a budget or individuals seeking more spacious living accommodations than what they might find in more expensive areas like the Silver Coast, the Algarve, or the metropolitan hubs of Lisbon and Porto.
This affordability factor draws a diverse group of homebuyers and investors, from retirees looking to stretch their pensions further, to families in search of a better quality of life, and even to digital nomads seeking a scenic backdrop for their remote work lifestyles.
A significant portion of the property market in Castelo Branco consists of ruins and older homes that are ripe for renovation. This presents a unique opportunity for those who dream of transforming a ruin into a dream home.
However, potential buyers should approach such projects with caution and thorough planning. Renovating a property, especially one that has fallen into disrepair, involves considerable time, effort, and money. The process may also require navigating local building regulations and securing the necessary permits, which can be daunting tasks without the right knowledge or assistance.
Nevertheless, for those up to the challenge, Castelo Branco offers a pathway to not only affordable living but also the rewarding experience of bringing a piece of Portuguese heritage back to life.
Living Near Spain Offers The Best Of Both Worlds
Living in the Castelo Branco region positions you uniquely for easy access to Spain, offering a seamless blend of Portuguese and Spanish cultures right at your doorstep. The proximity to the border means you can embark on road trips to a number of desirable Spanish towns and cities, enjoying the rich tapestry of experiences both countries have to offer.
Notable destinations include Cáceres, a city known for its medieval architecture, which is roughly a 2-hour drive away. Salamanca, with its renowned ancient university and vibrant cultural scene, is approximately a 3-hour journey. For those willing to venture a bit further, Madrid, Spain’s capital, offers an array of museums, restaurants, and shopping options, all within a 4-hour drive from Castelo Branco.
Moreover, shopping in Spain can be advantageous, as certain goods, including fuel, can be cheaper, providing an opportunity for savvy shoppers to take advantage of cost savings. Living in Castelo Branco thus not only enriches your life with the local Portuguese culture and natural beauty but also opens up a gateway to the diverse and rich experiences Spain has to offer.
The Weather Is A Mixed Bag
The weather in the Castelo Branco region is characterised by seasonal variations that potential residents and visitors should consider.
During the summer months, the region experiences very high temperatures, often reaching levels that can be uncomfortable without adequate preparation and adjustment. This extreme heat, combined with a dry atmosphere, significantly increases the risk of wildfires, a well-known issue across Portugal during this period.
In contrast, the autumn, spring, and winter months bring a drastic change in weather patterns. The region receives a substantial amount of rainfall during these seasons, contributing to its lush landscapes and agricultural productivity. However, this also means that for about half the year, the weather can be quite windy and wet, significantly affecting outdoor activities and daily life.
There Are Lots Of Big Supermarkets
Living in the Castelo Branco region doesn’t mean you’ll be cut off from the convenience of large retail chains. In fact, the area is well-served by major supermarket brands such as Continente, Auchan, and Lidl, ensuring that residents have access to a wide range of products, from groceries to household goods. Naturally, Amazon and other major online retailers deliver as well, although sometimes deliveries can take a little longer than desired.
Alongside these modern retail options, the region also boasts vibrant regional markets where locals can find fresh produce, traditional crafts, and specialty foods.
However, despite the wide availability of regional markets and supermarkets, it’s wise to explore what shopping options are available in your specific area before moving, as the availability of these stores and markets can vary between towns within the Castelo Branco region, influencing both your lifestyle and convenience.
Public Transport Is Good
By rural Portuguese standards, public transport in the area is quite good. This is due to the fact that there are both bus and train services available locally.
If you wish to go further afield, there are good connections to both Lisbon and Porto as well as other Portuguese cities.
- To Lisbon: The journey by train from Castelo Branco to Lisbon can take approximately 2.5 to 4 hours, depending on the service chosen. By bus, it normally takes just under 2.5 hours.
- To Porto: Traveling from Castelo Branco to Porto is generally longer due to the greater distance. By train, it can take around 4.5 hours to reach Porto—or even longer. Taking the bus is usually faster, with a typical journey time of 3-4 hours.
However, You’ll Need A Car
Having a car in the Castelo Branco region, as in much of rural Portugal, is almost essential for residents due to the limitations of public transport. While some bus and train services provide connectivity to key locations and larger cities, they often cover only the main routes and can leave many smaller towns and villages less accessible. This limitation becomes particularly apparent when trying to carry out daily activities such as shopping, accessing healthcare, visiting friends, or exploring the beautiful countryside that the region has to offer.
The Nearest Airports Are Far Away
One of the key aspects to consider when thinking about living in Castelo Branco is its distance from major airports. The nearest international airports are in Lisbon, which is approximately 220 kilometers away, and Porto, around 300 kilometers away. This means that for those residing in Castelo Branco, getting to either of these airports requires a journey of about two to three hours by car or longer by public transportation.
According to the Portuguese trains website, cp.pt, the journey from Castelo Branco (city) to Lisbon Oriente would take anywhere from 2.5 hours to 4 hours. According to Rede Expressos, the main bus website, the same journey would take just under 2.5 hours. Even though both the train and bus can take the same amount of time, the bus times are more consistent and so this is likely to be the faster way to get to and from Lisbon and Lisbon Airport.
For individuals who travel frequently, either for work or leisure, this distance to the nearest airport could be a significant inconvenience. Planning trips would necessitate additional time for travel to and from the airport, and catching early morning or late-night flights might require staying overnight in Lisbon or Porto.
Castelo Branco isn’t a city that’s on the tourist trail, and there are two main reasons for that. Firstly, it’s a little out of the way. Although the drive from Lisbon only takes around 2.5 hours, it is the other side of the country from Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, Aveiro, and all of the other popular places to visit.
Secondly, there just isn’t that much to see and do in Castelo Branco. There is a castle obviously, and there are other attractions like museums, churches, and the Bishop’s Palace Gardens, but there probably isn’t enough to make The City of Castelo Branco really stand out.
The Region of Castelo Branco is a different story, however. There are a lot of interesting towns and villages in the area including Monsanto, Idanha-a-Velha, and Belmonte. All of these are worth making a special trip for, along with any of the other villages included in Portugal’s “historical villages” designation.
What to Do
Jardim do Paço Episcopal de Castelo Branco
The Jardim do Paço Episcopal de Castelo Branco (or Bishop’s Palace Gardens) are probably Castelo Branco’s most popular and best-rated attraction.
It was commissioned by Bishop João de Mendonça in the 18th Century, and is designed in a Baroque style with five lakes, neatly-trimmed hedges, and themed areas.
There are lots of granite statues of saints, apostles, lions, and monarchs. Interestingly, any statues of Spanish kings – who ruled Portugal for a period of 60 years – are smaller than any of the Portuguese ones.
The Castle
Castelo Branco is named after the castle which sits on the hill above the city. Surprisingly, given the name, the castle isn’t actually white although it’s said that it can look white when the sun hits the stone.
The castle itself is worth visiting if you’re in Castelo Branco, but it definitely isn’t Portugal’s best surviving castle: one tower remains along with some sections of the walls. As it’s located on a hill, you get a view over Castelo Branco and the surrounding region.
The streets around the castle are also interesting to wander through. Narrow and cobbled, they are a world apart from the more modern vibe that most of Castelo Branco has. The city wall is such a part of this city’s makeup that some houses have actually built off the wall and use it as one of the walls in their house.
To get to the castle, just follow the signs up the hill.
Cathedral of Castelo Branco
The Sé de Castelo Branco or Igreja de São Miguel is Castelo Branco’s cathedral. It was built in the 17th Century in the 17th Century and briefly lost its status as a Cathedral between 1881 and 1956 when the Diocese of Castelo Branco became part of the Diocese of Portalegre.
Centro de Interpretação do Bordado de Castelo Branco
The Centro de Interpretação do Bordado de Castelo Branco is a small museum that focuses on Castelo Branco embroidery, a key industry for the city – particularly in times gone by.
The centre takes you through all aspects of Castelo Branco embroidery, including sowing the flax, weaving, embroidery, and its commercial aspects.
What To Eat
Castelo Branco, much like the rest of Portugal, boasts a rich gastronomic tradition. One of the city’s specialties is the “Empadas de Castelo Branco”, a type of savory pie filled with meat or fish, typically cooked in a wood-fired oven. The crust is golden and crispy, while the filling is tender and aromatic. Another popular dish unique to the area is “Papas de Carolo”. This dessert is made from sweet cornmeal and flavored with lemon zest and cinnamon. It’s similar to arroz doce, a more common Portuguese desert.
Cheeses are another thing that you should look out for. Queijo de Castelo Branco is made in Castelo Branco itself but, as well as this cheese, it’s also worth looking out for other “Queijos da Beira Baixa PDO” like Queijo picante and Queijo Amarelo da Beira Baixa. Á cabreira, another popular regional cheese, is typically made in Fundão.
Public Transport
There are a number of ways to get to Castelo Branco, including public transport options. You won’t need a car in the city but having a car is pretty much essential if you want to visit nearby towns like Monsanto, Idanha-a-Velha, and Belmonte.
- By Train: While the train route to Castelo Branco is quite scenic, and definitely more scenic than the bus route, on this particular route the bus is often faster than the train. Train tickets can be found on cp.pt.
- By Bus: The bus is often the fastest and cheapest way to get to Castelo Branco, particularly as the train line only connects to certain parts of the country. Bus tickets and timetables can be found through Rede Expressos and Flixbus.pt.
- By Car: The easiest way to get to Castelo Branco and to explore this part of Portugal is by car. The driving time from both Lisbon and Porto is around 2.5 hours.
- Flying: Lisbon and Porto Airport are roughly the same distance from Castelo Branco.