Monsanto – “Dragonstone”

This experience requires a full day but it’s so worth it.  A place so visually spectacular that it was chosen to be the setting for Dragonstone in the HBO series House of the Dragon.  We have lived in Portugal for over three years so we can be hard to impress.  Monsanto dazzled us both in scale and stark beauty.  Monsanto is also famous for houses that are built into large boulders.  The whole village feels medieval if not mythical.  These are key sites:

• The castle ruins – take your time here. It is large, beautiful and you have extraordinary views of the valleys below.  On clear days, you can see deep into Spain.  On the walk up take the little side trails to see what awaits you.
• Boulder houses – On your way down through the village, spot the houses squeezed between and under massive granite rocks. The streets Rua de São Miguel and Rua do Castelo have several.
• Torre de Lucano (rooster tower) – Even if it’s locked, it is beautiful and next to great viewpoints.