Almourol Castle (Castelo de Almourol)

The Basics

The Knights Templar were a Catholic military order sent to protect Christian pilgrims during the Crusades. Tours to Almourol Castle (Castelo de Almourol), which typically leave from Lisbon, explore the history and legends that surround this mysterious religious order. Combine a trip to this castle with visits to the cities of Tomar, Fatima, and Ourem as well as other Knights Templar castles to get a comprehensive overview of this ancient group and the Ribatejo region.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Almourol Castle (Castelo de Almourol) is a must-see for history buffs and those interested in the Crusades and the Knights Templar.

• Avoid long waiting times for the boat and book a tour to the Castle of Almourol in advance.

• The castle is surrounded by rocks and trees, so come prepared with proper footwear.

• Almourol Castle is not accessible to wheelchair users.

How to Get There

Almourol Castle is a 90-minute drive from Lisbon via the A1. It is also reachable by train to the stations of Almourol or Tancos, from which it’s a 15- or 25-minute walk, respectively, to the castle. You must take a small boat across the Tagus River to reach the castle.

When to Get There

Almourol Castle (Castelo de Almourol) is open daily from May 1 to September 30, and Tuesday to Sunday from October 1 to April 30. Opening hours are 10am to 1pm and 2:30pm to 5pm from November 1 to February 28, and 10am to 1pm and 2:30pm to 7pm from March 1 to October 31. The best season to visit Almourol Castle is during late spring and early fall, when it’s still warm and there are fewer visitors.

A Castle in Isolation

For hundreds of years, visitors have been fascinated with Almourol Castle (Castelo de Almourol), with its unique location on a small island in center of the Tagus River. The castle is not ornate in any way and is quite hidden from view, unlike the regal palaces in Portugal. And while the ancient fortress hasn’t changed much in almost 800 years, it still stands proudly amidst the natural beauty of central Portugal.

Ways to explore

The Knights Templar were a Catholic military order sent to protect Christian pilgrims during the Crusades. Tours that include Almourol Castle typically explore the history and legends that surround this mysterious religious order. Most leave from Lisbon and take you to the historical highlights in Tomar, Fátima, and Ourém over the course of a day. You can also visit the castle on a stand-up paddleboard or kayak tour, which offers an excellent way to take in the natural surroundings.

Accessibility

Steps to the small boats that take you to the castle are likely to be difficult for travelers with mobility challenges to navigate.

Age limits

None

What to pack

If you’re visiting the castle on a kayak or paddleboard, bring a waterproof bag for your valuables.

What to wear

Sneakers for climbing in and out of your boat

Not allowed

Pets, crossing the river to the castle on foot at low tide

Amenities

Restrooms and a restaurant are available by the castle parking lot, but there are no facilities on the island itself.

Address

Almourol is a 1.5-hour drive from Lisbon, depending on traffic. You’ll need to take a small boat across the Tagus River to reach the castle.

Driving

From Lisbon, take the A1 north toward Porto/Santarém. Take the exit toward A23/Abrantes/Castelo Branco. Follow the A23 east and then take the exit for Almourol. Follow signs toward Praia do Ribatejo, then park near the Almourol river dock to take the boat to the island.

Public transportation

You can take the Linha do Norte to Almourol from the Santa Apolónia or Oriente station in Lisbon. The trip takes around 1.5 hours, and the walk from the station is about 15 minutes.

Best times to visit

Sunset is a gorgeous time to take the boat out to the castle, which looks lovely in golden light.

Best days to visit

From May to September, the castle is open daily, but it’s closed on Mondays between October and April.

Best months to visit

Go in the late spring or early fall if you can, when it’s still warm and there are fewer visitors.

Special events

Almourol Castle is the site of historical reenactments during the Knights Templar Festival in late June and early July.