Castles

What people are saying

“Viewed from outside, Graca fortress, it looks more impressive”

Jul 2021

Having visited stunning castles like Belver and Marvao the day before this castle was somewhat underwhelming as you approached across large open ground with it being tucked away in a corner of the town. Rather small, decent views from some of the ramparts, but seemingly nothing to make it a must see. However, viewed from outside, particularly from Forte de Nossa Senhora da Graca on the hill, when you see the castle walls and the many levels of defence it does become quite impressive. And from that viewpoint with views of the city walls as well, quite a noteworthy walled town

“Moorish Castle”

Feb 2020

Nice little moorish castle in Elvas, surrounded by much more impressive fortifications. The cafe is a bit bleak inside but it has a decent outdoor seating area.

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Restaurants

74 within 5 kms

Restaurante Luis Cobra

144

0.5 km₹ • European • Portuguese

Adega Regional

1,647

0.5 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Mediterranean • European • Healthy

Acontece Restaurante

1,156

0.6 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Mediterranean • European • Healthy

Pedras Do Castelo

72

50 m₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Chinese • Mediterranean • Portuguese

A Coluna

275

0.5 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Mediterranean • European • Portuguese

Mau Maria Petiscaria

93

0.3 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Bar • European • Pub

Recanto de São Paulo

128

0.4 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Mediterranean • European • Portuguese

O Lagar

688

0.6 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Mediterranean • European • Portuguese

Restaurante Sal & Brasa

20

0.4 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • European • Portuguese

Restaurante Girassol

208

0.5 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Mediterranean • Vegetarian friendly

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Attractions

37 within 10 kms

Castelo de Elvas

10

0 mCastles

O Cemitério dos Ingleses

32

0.1 kmCemeteries

Portas de Sao Vicente

4

0.2 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks

Arco de Dr.Santa Clara

11

0.2 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks

Pelourinho de Elvas

52

0.2 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks

Igreja de São Pedro

2

0.2 kmChurches & Cathedrals

Catedral de Elvas

180

0.3 kmReligious Sites

Capela da antiga Igreja do Salvador

3

0.2 kmChurches & Cathedrals

Sinagoga Velha

3

0.2 kmReligious Sites

Muralhas Seiscentistas

230

0.4 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

4.0

288 reviews

Excellent

66

Very good

119

Average

76

Poor

21

Terrible

6

Jake23

New Jersey6,846 contributions

Nice castle

Dec 2016 • Couples

While it's not the largest castle it is since one. You can look into the distance and see Spain. Right in the center of the historic district.

Written 27 December 2016

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bob M

Lousa, Portugal184 contributions

Moorish Castle

Feb 2020 • Couples

Nice little moorish castle in Elvas, surrounded by much more impressive fortifications. The cafe is a bit bleak inside but it has a decent outdoor seating area.

Written 12 February 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CaseyBe

London, UK190 contributions

Nice view of the town and surrounding countryside

Oct 2019 • Couples

Despite Google and a local website saying the castle is closed on Sundays, it is definitely open. See photo for current opening times.
Nice views from the top. Can be visited in about 15-20 mins as it is very small.

Written 13 October 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

HelenaKB

Ullapool, UK31 contributions

Disappointing

Jun 2019 • Friends

We're had visited the forty of Sao Luzia in the morning and been very impressed.Elvas in the afternoon did not have information boards and was not presented in an informative and engaging way. Could do so much better with a wonderful facility.

Written 14 June 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bruno H

Cranbrook, UK86 contributions

Elvas Castelo!! Fantastic views 360 degrees.

Jun 2018 • Couples

Well preserved castle with spectacular views over Portugal and Spain. You can wander freely around its ramparts for about 2 euros but there is little information on display and mostly in Portuguese only. This city is a world Heritage Site and one would expect more. In the reception area were a few artefacts and photos and a reception person on a mobile phone mostly. Despite this, it is obviously worth a visit. The cafe which welcomes you on the ground front entrance has lovely furniture and a splendid decked area but is sadly neglected and, on the day we visited, had a surly person behind the bar who was more interested in his TV than in serving anything at all and certainly not in cleaning the tables! Disappointing as it looked such a lovely spot.

Written 19 June 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

hans-jaguar

Santa Comba Dao, Portugal24,314 contributions

Visit Elvas part 5.

Jul 2015 • Couples

After you have seen the Pillory and the Arch, continue on the right side and after about 300 meters you will see the Castle of Elva’s. Between the 8th and 12th century Muslim forces have occupied Elva’s, which is resulting in the construction of the fortress. It was briefly conquered by forces loyal to Afonso Henriques this around 1166, an action that was repeated in successive years with Moorish capture and recapture of the strategic point.
Unfortunately the castle was also closed on Monday.

Written 24 July 2015

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Hugo Miguel

Bergen, Norway119 contributions

Worth to visit

Mar 2012 • Family

The castle of Elvas is small but in a good condition. To enter the castle area theres no fee, but for a trip around the walls there is a small fee. The trip around the walls offers a great view of the sorroundings of Elvas. You get the feeling of how it was "long ago" for those who could call the walls their "work place".
I minus for not offering the possibility to buy some food or refreshments, but understandable as theres not so much tourism going on in Elvas, and probably not worth it having a cafe in there.
The patio area is great for happenings and festivals, I've once taken part in a medieval festival over 20 years ago and the place came to life, if the castle management would arrange more of those the overall rating would probably go from "average" to "excellent".

Written 11 December 2012

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Freerk_Visser

Alblasserdam, The Netherlands246 contributions

Castle is a big word

Sept 2019

While circuiting the fortifications of Elvas you see the signs of the castle. But if you travel with children and they expect a REAL CASTLE, tjhey will be very disappointed.

Written 6 October 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

EMBE762

Maastricht, The Netherlands572 contributions

Elvas Castle is a bit of a let down, but not Elvas itself !

Sept 2019

Elavs is worth the visit and nice to go to. beautiful squares and tons of history to see and explore.
in September it is quiet here and so nice.
go and explore, Elvas waits for you with its nice local white houses, the churches the old defence systems etc.

Written 14 September 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SuzannahA

Geeveston, Australia794 contributions

So much to see!

Feb 2019 • Couples

We walked around the walls of the castle, we didn't actually go inside because it was the views and just walking around the walls that we had come for. There are some amazing views over to the Forte Graca and the aqueduct and we just enjoyed wandering around, no admission charge for just walking around the walls of the Castelo and enjoying the views! Gosh, I've said walking around a lot but you get the idea there is a lot of worthwhile walking to be done here!

Written 13 February 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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