Castelo Branco, Historical municipality in Central Portugal.
Castelo Branco is a municipality in central Portugal located about 200 kilometers northeast of Lisbon on a hill within the Beira Baixa subregion. The white castle walls rise above the surrounding plains and mountains.
The Knights Templar built the defensive walls and castle between 1214 and 1230, establishing the foundation for the present urban layout. This military installation was meant to protect the eastern borders of the Portuguese kingdom.
The Episcopal Palace Gardens display stone sculptures representing kings, zodiac signs and the four seasons as an example of Portuguese Baroque garden design. Visitors walk among these figures and observe the symmetry of the flowerbeds and water basins.
The municipality connects to Lisbon through direct train services from Santa Apolónia station, with the journey taking around three hours. Visitors exploring the gardens and old town should wear comfortable shoes for uphill walks.
The municipality covers an area that makes it the third largest in Portugal by land extent, with 19 civil parishes spread across a wide territory. This expanse includes both urban quarters and rural areas with pastures and forests.
Location: Castelo Branco
Location: Beira Baixa Subregion
Inception: 1213
Capital city: Castelo Branco
Elevation above the sea: 319 m
Shares border with: Oleiros, Proença-a-Nova, Vila Velha de Ródão, Cedillo, Herrera de Alcántara, Santiago de Alcántara, Idanha-a-Nova, Fundão
Address: 6000 Castelo Branco, Portugal
Email: camara@cm-castelobranco.pt
Website: https://cm-castelobranco.pt
GPS coordinates: 39.82278,-7.49306
Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:35
Gardunha
28.8 km
Portas de Ródao Natural Monument
25.3 km
Castle of Castelo Branco
428 m
Tagus International Natural Park
25.8 km
Jardim do Paço Episcopal de Castelo Branco
580 m
Castelo de Ródão
25.8 km
Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Mércules
3.6 km
Sé Catedral de Castelo Branco
472 m
Museu Francisco Tavares Proença Júnior
623 m
Castle of Castelo Novo
28.4 km
Serra das Talhadas
23.5 km
Convento e Igreja da Graça
697 m
Castelo de Proença-a-Velha
31.4 km
Solar dos Goulões
10.8 km
Praia Fluvial de Fróia
29.7 km
Câmara Municipal de Castelo Branco
7 m
Ponte das Portas de Ródão
25.1 km
Cruzeiro de Castelo Branco
550 m
Solar dos Cardosos
364 m
Casa na Rua Arco do Bispo, n.º 14
330 m
Funicular de Castelo Branco
1.1 km
Capela do Senhor do Calvário
31.1 km
Casa do Arco do Bispo
316 m
Arquivo Distrital de Castelo Branco
290 m
Pelourinho de Castelo Novo
28.4 km
Igreja Matriz de Proença-a-Velha
31.4 km
Pelourinho da Bemposta
36.3 km
Pelourinho de Proença-a-Velha
31.2 kmReviews
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Castelo Branco
Benquerenças
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Salgueiro do Campo
Lardosa
Monforte da Beira
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São Vicente da Beira
Malpica do Tejo
Almaceda
Cebolais de Cima e Retaxo
Escalos de Baixo e Mata
Escalos de Cima e Lousa
Ninho do Açor e Sobral do Campo
Póvoa de Rio de Moinhos e Cafede
Sarzedas
Freixial do Campo e Juncal do Campo
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