Beja Castle — Attraction in Beja

Beja Castle

Time spent: 40 min Price: 2 EUR - Tower Car Parking: behind the Castle/Se Bike parking: not available

Castelo de Beja is a medieval castle in Beja. The first types of walls were built [4th century] on the Beja's hill during the Roman Empire [Pax Julia]. Part of the Roman arch ("Évora Gate") dated from this general construction in the Roman provinces. The city was very important and a lot of things inside the castle were changed or improved by Visigoths, Moors, and Portuguese rulers.

The region was reconquered in 1159 by the forces of King Afonso Henriques. In 1253, King D. Afonso III began work on reconstructing the fortress. King D. Dinis ordered the construction of the keep tower in 1310. At the beginning of the 16th century, King D. Manuel I began a project to improve the fortification, that possibly included the construction of the vaulted ceiling in the keep tower. In 1790, part of the fortifications were demolished to construct the new church.

The castle was secondly [after the period of Reconquista] used during the 19 century. against the army of Napoleon.

You can enter the castle for free (and the local museum also), but the price to visit the tower is 2 EUR [or 1 EUR for students].

[!]Take into consideration that the schedules of the castle and the tower are different. The castle: 9:30-12:30/14-18. The tower: 9:30-12:00/14:00-18:00. The last entrance into the tower is 30 min before...

Beja Castle is a remarkable slice of Portuguese history, beautifully preserved in the Alentejo region. The castle dates back to the 13th century, with a unique mix of architectural styles that reflect its long and varied past. The towering keep, which is one of the tallest in Portugal, offers stunning panoramic views over Beja and the scenic Alentejo plains—it’s absolutely worth the climb!

Exploring the inner courtyard, walls, and towers feels like stepping back in time, and there are informative plaques throughout to give context to the castle’s role in the region’s defense. The surrounding gardens add to the charm, making it a peaceful spot to relax and take in the view. This is a must-visit for anyone interested in history, architecture, or photography. Beja Castle combines historical depth with beautiful scenery and is an ideal destination for a memorable day out...

The castle tower is well-preserved and contains alot of history. Climbing the tower is a must-do. The views are magnificent! The story behind the whole tower was well displayed in cool 3D visualizations. There are mysteries to be discovered on the stones of the castle 😉 I do not want to give away too much!

The day we visited (27.09.2023) was the day of tourism in Beja, by chance, and we could enter the tower for free. We got even lucky that day as we got our own tour guide, Marcelo Leitão, from the Beja tourist office. He explained all the details in English and answered our questions. We even got to taste local fortified wine and taste sweet treats like Pastel de Natta and Parisienne. We are very thankful to him for giving us a great welcome to Beja and making our first ever evening in Beja so...