Monsanto, Idanha-a-Velha & Penha Garcia: Guided Village Tour

Summary

Walk Portugal’s stone villages with a local guide and stories

You’ll walk ancient paths in Monsanto and Idanha-a-Velha, hear stories from your local guide about dragons and Romans, and climb up to castles carved into rock. Expect quiet moments by rivers in Penha Garcia and time to wander stone villages where history feels close enough to touch.

What’s the experience like?

Is it weird to say I felt like I’d stumbled into another century? Monsanto was our first stop after leaving the main road behind — you know that feeling when the air smells different, like dry grass and old stone? Our guide, João, waved us up the narrow path between houses wedged under boulders. He joked about how people here “grow rocks instead of vegetables.” I tried to imagine living in a place where your roof is literally a giant granite slab. The climb to the castle was steeper than I expected (bring good shoes), but João kept us distracted with stories about dragons and Game of Thrones — apparently they filmed some scenes right at the top. I’m not even a big fan but it was still kind of wild to stand there looking out over the valley where they shot those epic scenes.

Idanha-a-Velha came next — honestly, I hadn’t heard of it before this day trip from Monsanto, but walking across that Roman bridge with the sun on my face felt oddly peaceful. There’s this hush in the village, broken only by birds and the crunch of gravel underfoot. João pointed out carvings on old stones that had been there since Roman times (he even let us touch one — surprisingly smooth). It’s hard not to think about all the people who’ve crossed that bridge over centuries. We wandered through what he called an “open-air museum,” though it didn’t feel like a museum at all — just life going on quietly around these ruins.

Penha Garcia was last. The wind picked up as we climbed toward the Templar castle — you could smell wild herbs crushed underfoot. At one point we stopped by a little river beach; some kids were splashing around even though it wasn’t exactly warm. João talked about fossils hidden in the rocks nearby (trilobites? I had to Google them later). The view down into the Ponsul valley made me stop for a minute — not because it was perfect or anything, but because it felt so far from everything else. I still think about that silence sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Historic Villages and Nature

• Visit Idanha-a-Velha archaeological site
• Walk through Monsanto village and visit castle
• Tour Templar Castle and Ponsul valley
• Relax at Penha Garcia river beach

Top questions

How long is the walk to Monsanto Castle?

The pedestrian walk through Monsanto to the castle is approximately 3 km.

Is transportation included in this tour?

Yes, air-conditioned vehicle transport is included for all stops.

Are there any Game of Thrones filming locations on this tour?

Yes, you’ll visit filming locations from House of the Dragon at Monsanto Castle.

Is lunch provided during this day trip?

No lunch is included; food arrangements are not specified in this tour.

Can I swim during this tour?

You can swim at Penha Garcia’s river beach during summer months if weather allows.

How difficult is the walking involved?

The walks are moderate; suitable for most fitness levels but not recommended for those with poor cardiovascular health.

Will we have a local guide throughout?

Yes, a local guide accompanies you for insights and stories at each site.

What historic sites are visited on this tour?

You’ll visit Idanha-a-Velha’s Roman ruins, Monsanto village and castle, plus Penha Garcia’s Templar castle and geopark area.

What’s included

Your day includes air-conditioned vehicle transport between villages and throughout the tour, plus guidance from a knowledgeable local who shares stories along every stop—from ancient Roman bridges to quiet river beaches—so you won’t miss any details or hidden corners along the way.