Fodor's Expert Review Castelo de Monsaraz

The castle and its imposing towers are one of the first things you see when you approach Monsaraz. Dating back to the 14th century, it's among the many fortifications built to protect the border between Portugal and Spain. During the Portuguese Restoration War, the castle was used by the military, but it was abandoned soon after that. It was only around 1830 that locals decided to turn it into a bullfighting ring, a tradition that continues in September during the Festas de Nosso Senhor Jesus dos Passos. For the rest of the year, you can roam around the castle and enjoy the views of the Alqueva Dam.