The “12 Historical Villages of Portugal” are a program created by the Portuguese government in 1991, to restore and enhance a series of villages in the Beira Interior region, whose origins are older than the country itself. Of these 12 Historical Villages in Portugal, seven are located in the Guarda district, four can be found in the Castelo Branco district, and one is situated in the Coimbra district.
Another curiosity about the 12 Historical Villages of Portugal is the fact that only Castelo Mendo, Idanha-a-Velha, Linhares da Beira, Marialva, Piódão, and Sortelha are villages these days. This is because Almeida, Belmonte, Castelo Novo, Castelo Rodrigo, and Monsanto are towns, while Trancoso is a city!
So, do you want to know more about the Complete Guide To The 12 Historical Villages Of Portugal? Keep reading!
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12 Historical Villages of Portugal
1. Almeida
The town of Almeida belongs to the municipality of Almeida (in the Guarda district) and is located very close to the Spanish border and two other historical villages of Portugal: Castelo Mendo and Castelo Rodrigo. Besides, Almeida is known for its fortress in the shape of a twelve-pointed star, with six bulwarks and six ravelins!
Read my Almeida itinerary, one of the 12 Historical Villages of Portugal!
2. Belmonte
The town of Belmonte integrates the municipality of Belmonte (in the Castelo Branco district) and is located about 40 km from Torre (the highest point of mainland Portugal) and 20 km from another historical village: Sortelha. Furthermore, Belmonte is famous because of its Jewish community, which has remained secret for many centuries!
Read my Belmonte itinerary, one of the 12 Historical Villages of Portugal!
3. Castelo Mendo
The village of Castelo Mendo is part of the municipality of Almeida (in the Guarda district) and can be found just 19 km from another historical village: Almeida. On top of that, Castelo Mendo is one of the smallest villages on the “Route of the 12 Historical Villages of Portugal”, so you can (and should) visit it in a more relaxed way!
Read my Castelo Mendo itinerary, one of the 12 Historical Villages of Portugal!
4. Castelo Novo
The town of Castelo Novo belongs to the municipality of Fundão (in the Castelo Branco district) and is located less than 15 km from Fundão, the land of the best Portuguese cherry. With more than 800 years of history and origins linked to the Templars, Castelo Novo features markedly medieval architecture!
Read my Castelo Novo itinerary, one of the 12 Historical Villages of Portugal!
5. Castelo Rodrigo
The town of Castelo Rodrigo integrates the municipality of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo (in the Guarda district) and is situated a few kilometers from the town of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo and the Serra da Marofa. In the Middle Ages, Castelo Rodrigo was on the border defense line of Portugal and even had a wall supported by thirteen turrets!
Read my Castelo Rodrigo itinerary, one of the 12 Historical Villages of Portugal!
6. Idanha-a-Velha
The village of Idanha-a-Velha is part of the municipality of Idanha-a-Nova (in the Castelo Branco district) and is just over 10 km from another historical village: Monsanto. Despite being one of the smallest historical villages of Portugal, Idanha-a-Velha is considered one of the main archaeological stations of the Iberian Peninsula!
Read my Idanha-a-Velha itinerary, one of the 12 Historical Villages of Portugal!
7. Linhares da Beira
The village of Linhares da Beira belongs to the municipality of Celorico da Beira (in the Guarda district) and is one of the smallest and most isolated of the “12 Historical Villages of Portugal”. Nevertheless, Linhares da Beira was founded in the 12th century, at the same time that Portugal became a country!
Read my Linhares da Beira itinerary, one of the 12 Historical Villages of Portugal!
8. Marialva
The village of Marialva integrates the municipality of Mêda (in the Guarda district) and hides one of the most beautiful medieval castles in the country. With a history dating back to the 6th century BC, Marialva has had several names: City of Aravor, Civitas Aravorum, St. Justus, and Malva!
Read my Marialva itinerary, one of the 12 Historical Villages of Portugal!
9. Monsanto
The town of Monsanto is part of the municipality of Idanha-a-Nova (in the Castelo Branco district) and stands out for its imposing granite Templar castle, which was built in the 12th century and stands at over 750 meters above sea level. Besides, Monsanto is known as “The Most Portuguese Village In Portugal”!
Read my Monsanto itinerary, one of the 12 Historical Villages of Portugal!
10. Piódão
The village of Piódão belongs to the municipality of Arganil (in the Coimbra district) and is called “The Nativity Scene Village” or “The Most Typical Village In Portugal”, because of its narrow, steep, and maze-like alleys, and its dozens of “dollhouses”, with schist walls, roofs covered with slabs, and doors painted in blue!
Read my Piódão itinerary, one of the 12 Historical Villages of Portugal!
11. Sortelha
The village of Sortelha is part of the municipality of Sabugal (in the Guarda district) and is one of the oldest and most charming Historical Villages in Portugal. With more than 800 years of history, Sortelha brings together countless places to discover, explore, and photograph, including religious temples, manor houses, and even a grandiose medieval castle!
Read my Sortelha itinerary, one of the 12 Historical Villages of Portugal!
12. Trancoso
The city of Trancoso – the only one in this guide to the Historical Villages of Portugal – is part of the municipality of Trancoso (in the Guarda district) and still preserves its castle and historic center within a walled enclosure, despite these defensive structures having been built in the Middle Ages!
Read my Trancoso itinerary, one of the 12 Historical Villages of Portugal!
Map of the 12 Historical Villages of Portugal
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What Photography Gear Do I Use?
- Camera Body: Fujifilm X-T4 Mirrorless
- Camera Lens: Fujinon XF 18-55 mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS
- Tripod: Manfrotto Compact Action
- Small Tripod: Manfrotto PIXI Mini
- Smartphone Adaptor: Manfrotto PIXI Clamp
- Memory Card: SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC