Castelo de Arraiolos


It's worth making the ascent up to the Arraiolos castle for fine views over the countryside. The original structure dates from the 14th century, and it's one of Portugal's few fortifications built in a circular pattern.

It's a short but uphill walk from the main plaza (head west along Rua Nova and turn right along Travessa do Castelo); you can also drive up here.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

2. Aqueduto da Água de Prata

11.02 MILES

Jutting into the town from the northwest is the beguilingly named Aqueduto da Água de Prata, designed by Francisco de Arruda (better known for Lisbon’s…

3. Palácio Cadaval

11.38 MILES

Just northwest of the Igreja de São João is the 17th-century facade of a much older palace and castle, as revealed by the two powerful square towers that…

4. Termas Romanas

11.39 MILES

Inside the entrance hall of the câmara municipal (town hall) are more Roman vestiges, only discovered in 1987. These impressive Roman baths, which include…

5. Igreja de São João

11.39 MILES

The small, fabulous Igreja de São João, which faces the Templo Romano, was founded in 1485 by one Rodrigo Afonso de Melo, count of Olivença and the first…

6. Convento dos Lóios

11.42 MILES

The former Convento dos Lóios, to the right of Igreja de São João, has elegant Gothic cloisters topped by a Renaissance gallery. A national monument, the…

7. Templo Romano

11.42 MILES

Once part of the Roman Forum, the remains of this temple, dating from the 2nd or early 3rd century AD, are a heady slice of drama right in town. It's…

8. Casas Pintadas

11.44 MILES

Painted on the garden walls of an open-vaulted gallery are a series of unusual 16th-century murals that were once part of a noble’s residence. Recently…