Monsaraz
A medieval white village on a hilltop above Alqueva Lake, with sunsets from the castle walls and some of Europe's best dark-sky stargazing at night.
Monsaraz is a walled hilltop village with just two main streets. Whitewashed walls and cobbled lanes are lined with craft shops and small restaurants. From the walls of the 13th-century castle you can overlook Alqueva Lake and, in the distance, Spain, and the sunset is especially lovely. The old bullring inside the castle still hosts events in summer. The village lies within the Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve, and stargazing tours are available. Vehicles must be parked outside the village. About 50 km from Évora, roughly a 45-minute drive.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Herdade do Esporão
- Alqueva Lake
- Ducal Palace of Vila Viçosa
- Estremoz
- Elvas Fortifications
- University of Évora (Colégio do Espírito Santo)
- Évora Cathedral
- Évora Museum (Frei Manuel do Cenáculo)