Castelo Branco in Portugal has a lot to offer.  There are many beautiful traditional Portuguese villages that are almost stuck in time.  The landscape is vast and we discovered lots of beautiful historic places to explore mixed with stunning mountains and the natural environment.  We spent a day in the centre of Castelo Branco, but also ventured to Penha Garcia and Monsanto to explore castle ruins, rock villages, fossil mountains and more.

If you already follow me on Instagram then you’ll have already seen my top Instagrammable locations in Castelo Branco from our recent trip, but here I will share some more photos that I haven’t put on Instagram yet.

Here are my favourite Instagram photos and locations from our recent Portugal travels.

Top Instagram spots in Castelo Branco, Portugal

1.Fast Vegan

We enjoyed two delicious vegan meals at Fast vegan in Castelo Branco whilst in portugal for a week.  For just 7 euros we had a main, soup, dessert and green tea.  What a bargain!

The food is packed full of flavour and colour.

Outside this lovely vegan cafe is some amazing street art too!

2. Castle of Castelo Branco

I highly recommend climbing the medieval streets of Castelo Branco up to the castle at the top.

There are amazing views of the centre of Castelo Branco and the castle ruins themself are so picturesque.

3. Palm tree lined street (Ave. 1 de Maio)

One of the main streets in the centre of Castelo Branco has beautiful wide cobbled paths and is lined with established palm trees.

We called this Pineapple Street and enjoyed walking down it in search of Terra Bio, a natural organic grocery store that sells lots of vegan goodies!

4. Orange + lemon trees

With it’s amazing warm climate, there are orange and lemon trees all over the place in Portugal, both in rural areas as expected, but also in the most urban streets.

How amazing would it be to have fresh oranges from your own orange tree every day?

5. War memorial, Penha Garcia

On the way to Penha Garcia fossil mountain walk we accidentally found a war memorial next to a kids play park with stunning views across central Portugal.

A huge war tank with red wire soldiers and poppies in the most amazing spot on the side of the mountain.

6. Penha Garcia fossil mountains, swimming lake + castle

There are many incredible photo opportunities at the Penha Garcia fossil mountains, swimming lake and castle.

So much history mixed in with the most dramatic natural landscapes and rock formations.

7. Monsanto historic rock village + boulder castle

Wow Wow Wow!

Monsanto historic village and castle is one of the most amazing and unique places I have ever visited.

Houses are built into giant boulders and the castle at the top of the mountain is surrounded by huge rocks, boulders and magnificent views.

There’s even a beautiful stone arch that makes the perfect photo spot!

So many incredible memories and photos.

8. Traditional Portuguese streets

Finally, the Portuguese streets themselves are perfect for travel photography.  Old cobblestones, narrow meandering streets, dilapidated houses, stone walls, terracotta rooftops and white painted walls.  New mixed with old.  Places stuck in time and places forgotten.

 

What to read next

The amazing rock village + castle of Monsanto, Portugal

Visiting Penha Garcia fossil mountains in Portugal with kids

Things to do with kids in Castelo Branco Portugal for one day

 

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