Portugal is a land of many cultures—throughout its history, different people, such as Visigoths, Moors, Romans, Celts, and Carthaginians, have passed through the city. Remarkably, all of them have managed to leave behind a part of their values.

With Portugal being the oldest nation in Southern Europe has much to offer—whether you are a local or tourist, you will never get bored of seeing the beautiful wonders that the republic beholds.

Widely known for its stellar football team, exotic beaches and coastlines, and delectable cuisine, Portugal’s architecture is unparalleled compared to other areas. People can easily witness Moorish styles, contemporary inspiration, and Renaissance wonder in the castles listed below:

Castle of Marvão

Perched atop 861m above sea level, in Serra de São Mamede, the castle provides beautiful scenic views. You can see the whole village with cute little cottages lining the street and green plains.

Located at the border between Portugal and Spain, the monumental structure was built in the 13th century, looking over Moorish ruins. It served the purpose of tracking enemy forces.

Castle of Montemor-o-Velho

Visual Cortex/Shutterstock: The breathtaking Montemor-o-Velho Castle, Portugal

Built somewhere between 1088 and 1520, Castle of Montemor-o-Velho has stood the test of time and precedes even the nation that it stands in. The architectural wonder is so old that one can still see Roman stonework in the base of the keep. In 1910, Portugal decided to declare it as a national monument.

Since 2014, the fortress is a regular host to Festival Forte, an electronic music festival held in August.

Pena National Palace (Palacio da Pena) of Portugal

Tatiana Popova/Shutterstock: Pena Palace in Sintra with it’s beautiful natural surroundings

The towering and colorful façade of the Palacio de Pena can be spotted from a mile away. Arguably, one of the most famous structures in town, this castle is still used by officials for state purposes. It was built with a unique architectural blend of Moor and Manueline and still overlooks perfectly manicured and expansive lawns.

The place was built in the 19th century and was ordered by Ferdinand II to serve as a summer retreat. Sitting on a hit in Sintra, it was passed down the Royal generations and was ultimately purchased by the government.

Castle of Almourol

Tatiana Popova/Shutterstock: The Castle of Almourol stands on the banks Tagus River

It was acquired as a part of the re-conquest. The fortress was constructed in 1129 and currently stands tall on the banks of the Tagus River. You can explore the now abandoned castle and its ramparts lined will towers. It is a delight to visit in the dark as the walls are illuminated by floodlights, lending it a romantic hue.

São Jorge Castle

It is a great place to witness 1,000 years of Lisbon’s history and is among the most visited places in Portugal. Lush greenery surrounds this charming place—you can explore its 18 towers, canon lining, and underground chambers.

One of the towers even contains a camera obscura that projects the city’s imagery onto the walls.

Castle of Santa Maria da Feira

StockPhotosArt/Shutterstock: Preserved Santa Maria da Feira in Portugal

Portugal’s government has worked hard in preserving this castle, and it is one of the well-maintained ancient structures around the country. To get to the roof, you need to climb around 60 steps as it has the largest keep as compared to other similar structures—these was in-built with quite unique defending tactics.

While visiting a place, the best way to really know any area is to start with its history. Ages of generations have come and gone, and these castles have remained ever-towering and grand. This reason alone makes it a must-see on your itinerary!