This historic Portuguese city centers around an 18th-century Episcopal palace with manicured gardens. Local textile traditions and white cheese remain key parts of daily life.
In central Portugal, Castelo Branco spreads across a hillside crowned by a medieval castle. Walk through the Episcopal Palace Gardens to see baroque fountains spraying water between granite statues of Portuguese kings. In the city center, you'll find the Cargaleiro Museum displaying colorful ceramic art, while the surrounding countryside holds villages like Monsanto, where houses squeeze between massive granite boulders.
Getting to Castelo Branco
You can reach the city from Lisbon (200 km) by taking one of three daily Intercidades fast trains or three regional trains. If you're driving from Lisbon Airport, follow the A23 highway northeast for about 2 hours.
Episcopal Palace Gardens
These 18th-century gardens cascade down several terraces, each level adorned with granite statues depicting Portuguese monarchs, zodiac signs, and allegorical virtues. Stone staircases connect small lakes and baroque fountains, while boxwood hedges and citrus trees form intricate geometric patterns characteristic of 1700s garden design.
Museums and Culture
Inside the former Episcopal Palace, the Francisco Tavares Proença Júnior Museum exhibits silk embroidery created by local artisans using techniques passed down through generations. The Cargaleiro Museum occupies an 18th-century mansion, where you can see paintings and ceramic works by Manuel Cargaleiro, who shaped Portugal's contemporary art scene.
Local Food and Products
Try the PDO-protected Castelo Branco cheese, made from sheep's milk in nearby farms. Local kitchens prepare maranhos, stuffing lamb stomach with rice and fresh mint. The region's olive groves and vineyards produce olive oil and wines that you can taste at several shops in the city center.
Climate and When to Visit
Summer temperatures regularly climb above 30°C (86°F). Winter days stay mild but nights can drop below freezing, with frost occurring about 28 days per year. Plan your visit in spring (March-May) or autumn (September-November) when mild temperatures make exploring more comfortable.
Day Trips from Castelo Branco
Drive 30 kilometers northeast to Monsanto, where houses sit between and under enormous granite rocks. In Idanha-a-Velha, you can walk among Roman-era structures including a cathedral and bridge. The Tejo Internacional Natural Park stretches along the Spanish border with marked hiking paths and spots to watch eagles and vultures.
Historical Background
Knights Templar established Castelo Branco in 1214, building the castle and defensive walls you see today. The city expanded after becoming a bishopric in 1771. As you walk through the old town, look for the decorated doorways and windows of 15th-century houses, built when merchant families brought wealth to the city.
