Castle of Loulé

Castelo de Loulé is a hilltop fortress with three stone towers rising above the Algarve landscape. The complex includes structures, walls, and excavated areas that reveal the layout and scale of the medieval settlement.

The fortress started as an Arab tower in the 7th century and was conquered by Afonso III in 1249, then rebuilt in Christian style. This transformation changed the structure and role of the site permanently.

The fortress shows layers of both Arab and Christian history woven into its walls and spaces. The excavated objects and museum displays tell stories of people who lived and ruled here across different periods.

The fortress is located in the town of Loulé and can be reached via Rua da Barbacã and Largo D. Afonso III, with parking nearby. Visitors should wear good shoes since the grounds are on a slope and include steps.

Parts of the original construction show rammed earth instead of stone, a building technique that early Arab engineers used in the Iberian Peninsula. This material is rarely preserved and shows hands-on methods from that distant period.