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    Monsanto – Portugal’s Stone Village (and a Game of Thrones Star)

    July 16, 2025 • 0 Comment

    Nestled high on a granite hill in central Portugal, Monsanto is unlike anywhere else in the country—or the world. Known as the “Most Portuguese Village in Portugal”, this ancient hamlet seems carved directly into the boulders themselves. Stone cottages are wedged between colossal rocks, pathways wind through natural formations, and the scenery feels as dramatic as a fantasy film set.

    In fact, Monsanto was chosen as a filming location for HBO’s “House of the Dragon”, the Game of Thrones prequel—earning it a newfound global spotlight while retaining its age-old charm and tranquility.

    📍 Where Is Monsanto?

    Monsanto is located in the Beira Baixa region, near the Spanish border, about:

    • 3 hours from Lisbon (scenic inland drive)

    • 2 hours from Coimbra

    • 45 minutes from Idanha-a-Nova

    It’s perched on a granite hill overlooking vast countryside, and with Portugal Magik Private Tours, you can visit comfortably as part of a custom day trip or multi-day itinerary through central Portugal’s historic villages.

    🧱 What Makes Monsanto So Unique?

    🌄 A Village Built into the Rock

    Monsanto is often called the “stone village”, and for good reason. Rather than clear the landscape, early settlers built their homes around and beneath massive granite boulders, some the size of small houses. You’ll see:

    • Roofs crushed beneath massive stones

    • Chapels and stairways carved into the rock

    • Entire streets built around natural monoliths

    Walking through Monsanto feels like stepping into a living museum, or perhaps a set from a medieval fantasy epic—which, in fact, it now is.

    🎬 House of the Dragon – Game of Thrones Comes to Monsanto

    In 2021, HBO chose Monsanto as one of the filming locations for House of the Dragon, the much-anticipated prequel to Game of Thrones. The village’s timeless stone structures, medieval fortress ruins, and rugged terrain made it the perfect stand-in for Westeros.

    • Key filming took place around the castle ruins at the summit

    • Some scenes involved digital enhancement, but the raw medieval setting is authentic

    • Great photo opportunities for fans of the series

    👑 Portugal Magik can guide you to the exact filming viewpoints and tell the behind-the-scenes stories.

    🏰 What to See in Monsanto

    • Castle of Monsanto – Climb to the ruins of the 12th-century fortress, where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views stretching across Portugal and into Spain

    • Capela de São Miguel – A romantic, isolated chapel near the summit with ancient tombs carved into the rock

    • Casa de Uma Só Telha – The famous house covered entirely by a single, enormous boulder

    • Medieval Streets – Perfectly preserved alleys, stone steps, and viewpoints

    🍷 Enhance Your Experience

    With Portugal Magik Private Tours, your visit to Monsanto can be enriched with:

    • 🚘 Private Mercedes-Benz transport through the countryside and Serra da Estrela foothills

    • 🧭 A dedicated English-speaking driver-guide to narrate the village’s legends and Game of Thrones trivia

    • 🧺 Optional picnic with local cheeses, wine, and sausages in the castle grounds

    • 🏨 Add-on overnight in a boutique rural hotel or manor house nearby

    🧭 Pair Monsanto With…

    Monsanto is perfectly placed to include in a broader historic itinerary of inland Portugal. Ideal pairings include:

    • Sortelha – Another beautifully preserved medieval granite village

    • Belmonte – Jewish heritage and castle visits

    • Idanha-a-Velha – An ancient Roman-Lusitanian village

    • Serra da Estrela – Portugal’s highest mountains and glacial valleys

    🛡️ Visit Monsanto in Style with Portugal Magik

    Avoid the long drive and winding roads—Portugal Magik will take you there in total comfort, with full customization for your pace and preferences. Perfect for couples, families, or solo travelers seeking authenticity and cinematic charm.

    Included:

    • 🚗 Private round-trip transportation

    • 🧑‍🏫 Knowledgeable, licensed driver-guide

    • 🍽️ Optional gourmet lunch or countryside picnic

    • 📸 Photography stops at key filming locations

    • 🏨 Custom overnight stays available

    Ready to explore Monsanto, the village carved from stone—and now a star of House of the Dragon? Let Portugal Magik take you there in unforgettable style.

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    Monsanto – Portugal’s Stone Village (and a Game of Thrones Star)