Dating from the 14th century, this imposing castle affords long views from the battlements: flat plains, the aqueduct, town walls, rooftops and orange trees, and the slow life of Serpa residents. Inside the walls, the free Museu Municipal de Arqueologia de Castelo houses a small collection of archaeological exhibitions, with information covering the Neolithic, Roman and Islamic presence in Serpa.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Palácio dos Condes de Ficalho

0.09 MILES

Just inside the old walls in the upper part of town, this ageing mansion dates from the 16th century, and remains in sore need of restoration.

2. Aqueduto

0.11 MILES

The impressive remains of an 11th-century aqueduct run along the western side of the town walls (follow Rua dos Arcos).

3. Museu Etnográfico

0.11 MILES

No traditional rural trade is overlooked in this exquisite exploration of Alentejan life. Occupying the former town market (in use from 1887 to 1986), the…

4. Museu do Relógio

0.12 MILES

The Watch Museum houses an amazing collection of watches and clocks – shared with its sister museum in Évora, dating from a 1630 Edward East clock to the…

5. Casa do Cante

0.13 MILES

Tucked down a narrow lane off Praça da República, this small cultural space is dedicated to the rich folksinging traditions that grew up in the…

6. TradiSerpa

0.13 MILES

Cheese lovers should make a pilgrimage to this small factory in the town centre, where if you’re lucky you might see the cheese producers in action. Call…

7. Wheel Pump

0.18 MILES

At the southern end of the aqueduct is a huge 17th-century wheel pump (aka noria), once used for pumping water to the nearby Palácio dos Condes de Ficalho.

8. Museu Regional de Beja

15.26 MILES

Beja's must-see attraction is set in a 15th-century Franciscan convent and the backdrop to an unlikely romance between a nun and soldier that inspired…