Southeast of Serra da Estrela is enchanting Monsanto, an ancient fortified village perched on the side of a mountain. Monsanto house With houses squeezed between gigantic boulders, it’s a stunning sight. Its appearance hasn't changed in centuries, with tiny streets carved from the rock. Some of the granite houses have Manueline doorways and the ruins of a castle Monsanto that started as a Lusitanian fortified settlement, affords magnificent views stretching as far as Serra da Estrela. Next to the castle are the ruins of a Romanesque chapel, adding to the hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. In 1938 Monsanto was voted "the most Portuguese village in Portugal" in a national contest, and since then building restrictions have allowed it to remain a living museum. It is not easy to reach Monsanto by public transportation, but its atmosphere and immense panorama is worth a drive from the towns nearby or Serra da Estrela.

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