National Castle Day is celebrated on the 7th of October .

On this day you can visit several Portuguese castles for free and learn a little more about the history of these emblematic buildings in Portuguese history. It is a golden opportunity to discover the castles of Portugal, with guided tours that allow you to get to know Portuguese castles in depth. In addition to visits, the medieval period is also recreated in some castles in Portugal.

If you've always wanted to visit a particular castle, this is the day to do it. The following year you can visit another castle.

Date origin

Since 1984, the National Castle Day has been celebrated in October. Initially it was celebrated on the first Saturday of the month but in 2003 the 7th was established as the official date. It aims to promote initiatives and activities throughout the country aimed at reflecting on the fortified heritage.

The castles bear witness to the collective memory of peoples and represent an important architectural, historical, cultural and symbolic reference for a country.

castles of Portugal

Portugal has hundreds of castles and forts, with some Portuguese castles recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage, such as the Convento de Cristo, in Tomar.

The Castle of Guimarães, where Portugal was born, and the Castle of Óbidos are two national castles that are part of the 7 Wonders of Portugal - Monuments.