Castle of Aljezur, Medieval castle on hilltop in Aljezur, Portugal.
Castle of Aljezur is a medieval fortress perched on a hilltop overlooking the Aljezur River. It features an oval ground plan with two defensive towers and stone walls that still stand today.
The fortress was built in the 11th century during the Almoravid dynasty as a strategic stronghold for the region. Portuguese forces captured it in 1242 and continued to use and modify the structure.
The castle shows traces of many peoples who lived here over centuries, from medieval times to later periods. Walking through the ruins, you can see how different communities reshaped and reused the same space.
The site is open year-round and offers good views of the valley and surrounding landscape. Wear sturdy shoes since the paths across the grounds are uneven and sometimes steep.
Inside the fortress stands a water cistern built during Almoravid times that reveals how residents managed water supply. Below the ruins lie foundations of medieval homes that people continued to occupy and rebuild over time.
Location: Aljezur
GPS coordinates: 37.31628,-8.80520
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:43
Inland Algarve holds nature reserves, medieval castles, and Roman ruins that together form a wide picture of Portuguese history and nature. Monchique has thermal springs, Silves shows a castle built of red sandstone, and Faro contains a chapel lined with human bones. Natural parks like Ria Formosa provide habitat for many bird species, while historic villages, coastal fortresses, and lighthouses mark the landscape. Travelers through this region encounter places like Cabo de São Vicente, where land ends at the southwestern tip of Europe, the cliffs of Ponta da Piedade near Lagos, or the ruins of Paderne Castle. Caldas de Monchique invites bathing in warm spring water, the Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos follows the coast through cut valleys, and Igreja do Carmo in Faro holds another bone chapel. Between these are beaches like Praia da Marinha and Praia do Barril, Roman excavations such as Cerro da Vila in Quarteira, and Palácio de Estoi, a pink palace from the 19th century. The Algarve connects coast and interior, history and nature in a way best explored on foot.
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