Growing up in Colorado with the famous Renaissance Festival, I’m a big fan of these themed festivals. Add a medieval castle, and you’ve got some European magic!

Portugal hosts several medieval festivals every summer.  

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Those include knight battles, castle invasions, horse rides, dance numbers, shopping, good food, and medieval castles!

When Do Medieval Festivals Happen In Portugal?

Most medieval festivals occur in the summer, usually from July through August.  However, they begin as early as April and continue into the Christmas festivals. The best way to know the dates is to check Facebook as dates are subjective.  Websites are limited, especially for smaller festivals.

For 2024, here are some handy dates!

• Feira Medieval de Castelo Mendo
  • When: 6-7 April 2024
  • Where: Castelo Mendo, about 2-hours east of Porto
• Feira Medieval Ibéria d’Avis
  • When: 10-12 May 2024
  • Where: Avis, Alto Alentejo – about 2-hours east of Lisbon
• Marialva Medieval
  • When: 10-12 May 2024
  • Where: Marialva
• Feira Setecentista
  • When: 17-19 May 2024
  • Where: Vila Real de Santo Antonio, eastern Algarve
• Feira Medieval Castelo de Montemor-o-Novo
  • When: 14-16 June 2024
  • Where: Montemor-o-Novo, one-hour west of Lisbon
• Festa da História
  • When: 28-30 June 2024
  • Where: Trancoso, Serra da Estrela area
• Os Piratas
  • When: Early July 2024 (dates TBD)
  • Where: Leça da Palmeira, Matosinhos, west of Porto
• Leiria Medieval 
  • When: 20-23 July 2023 (2024 dates TBD)
  • Where: Leiria, halfway between Lisbon and Porto
• Mercado Medieval de Óbidos
  • When: 18-28 July 2024
  • Where: Óbidos,  one hour north of Lisbon
• Viagem Medieval (the largest in Europe!)
  • When: 31 July – 11 August 2024
  • Where: Santa Maria da Feira, between Porto and Aveiro
• Aljubarrota Medieval Fair
  • When: 10-15 August 2023 (2024 dates TBC)
  • Where: Alcobaça, 90 minutes north of Lisbon
• Silves Medieval Fair
  • When: 9-17 August 2024
  • Where: Silves, west Algarve
• Festas dos Povos
  • When: Third weekend of August – 17-19 August 2024
  • Where: Chaves, northern border of Portugal
• Dias Medievais
  • When: 23-27 August 2024
  • Where: Castro Marim, east Algarve
• Terras Templárias 
  • When: Late September 2024 (dates TBD)
  • Where: Castelo Branco
• VIII Quinhentista de Aldeia Galega
  • When: 8-10 September 2023 (2024 dates TBD)
  • Where: Montijo, south of Lisbon
• Muralhas Com História 
  • When: 15-17 September 2023 (2024 dates TBD)
  • Where: Sortelha, about three hours from Lisbon or Porto
• Feira Medieval de Palmela
  • When: 27-29 September 2024
  • Where: Palmela, about 30-minutes south of Lisbon
• Festival Al Mossassa
  • When: 4-6 October 2024
  • Where: Marvão, on the Spanish border
• Mercado Medieval de Pero Escouche
  • When: 26-27 October 2024
  • Where: Castelo de Pirescouxe, on the Spanish border

Medieval Festivals We Would Recommend

Many small towns with castles likely host some kind of festival in the summer.  We spent a month in the Duoro Valley (near Porto) and saw small festivals happening around the valley each weekend.  

Typically, these festivals have music and fireworks, at the least.  More significant medieval festivals have much more.

Medieval Festivals Near Porto

Medieval Journey of Santa Maria da Feira

The largest medieval festival and our personal favorite, the Medieval Journey of Santa Maria da Feira attracts over 100,000 guests every year.  Typically, it runs 10-14 days in early August.

Due to the large size of this event, you can reserve parking and tickets online.  It’s best to get there late afternoon; the festival runs into the early morning hours, 1-3 am.  

You can enjoy activities such as:

• Children’s games, tournaments, and obstacle courses
• Archery
• Medieval immersion experiences
• Horse tournaments
• Large-scale productions with fire, sword fighting, and more.
• Street vendors sell plenty of fun goods, such as wooden swords, candles, hairpieces, pottery, and more.
• Tours of the castles
• Productions at the castle

Tickets are a few euros per person.  Food is available, but be prepared to wait in long lines, especially as the night wears on.

Where to Stay Near Porto For Medieval Festivals

Consider these hotel options whether you’re traveling alone or with the family:

• Central Suites 3 is a family-friendly hotel in Sao Joao da Madeira and an 8min drive from Santa Maria da Feira Castle. 
• The Lodge Porto Hotel is a five-star hotel located in Santa Marinha. You can easily walk and see Duoro River and Ribeira Square. 
• Nova Cruz Hotel is nested in Santa Maria da Feira. If you’re looking for activities to see nearby, Oporto Golf Club and Clube de Golfe de Miramar are worth checking out. 

Medieval Festivals Near Lisbon

Obidos Festivals

The old city of Obidos hosts several festivals throughout the year, including Chocolate and Christmas.

The Medieval Festival of Obidos wows thousands of visitors each summer.  The smaller venue with an intact city wall makes this festival feel more intimate and cute.

Head to the castle for the heart of the party.  On the way, you’ll wind your way through the old city and darling shops.  If you want to dine in and don’t buy the dinner package, be sure to make reservations at the restaurants in advance.

Costume rentals are available, and you can book a combo ticket with dinner, the main show, costumes, and more.  

Note that parking is available but somewhat limited.  Closer lots are paid spots.  

Where To Stay Near Obidos

• Casa Lidador is the ideal place to stay if you’re going to see Grande Mercado Medieval de Obidos. The Church of Saint Peter and Obidos Castle is also worth visiting.
• Royal Obidos Spa & Golf Resort is in the entertainment district and on a lake. Peniche Beach and Foz do Arelho Beach are must-sees.
• Hotel Real D Obidos is nested in a central location. It gives you easy access to Grande Mercado Medieval de Obidos.

Leiria Medieval Festival

The Leiria Medieval Festival is hosted in July.  Follow the Fair’s Facebook page to find out the exact dates. Kings and queens, jesters, reenactments and more await you here!

Where To Stay Near Leiria Medieval Festival

• TRYP by Wyndham Leiria is located in Marrazes e Barosa. Visit the nearby Lena Garden and Parque Verde if you want to see the area’s natural beauty.
• Palace Hotel Monte Real is nested in a rural area and near the beach. A swimming pool is also available. Kids can choose between the beach and a pool! 
• Villa Batalha is in the historic district and near theme parks. Outdoor activities like hiking/biking trails and horse riding are available in the area.

Elvas Medieval Festival

The third week of July and the first week of August bring the Elvas Medieval Festival.   

Enjoy spectacles, Elvas castle, and you can walk around the city wall for a small fee.

Where to Stay Near The Elvas Medieval Festival

• Vila Galé Collection Elvas is nested in a rural area. It is a neighborhood of Largo de Santa Clara and Juromenha Fort.
• Hotel Dom Luis is a few minutes from Largo de Santa Clara and Juromenha Fort. Outdoor activities like hiking/biking trails are available to explore the area more adventurous.
• Hotel Rural Monte da Provença is located in São Vicente e Ventosa and is in a rural area. Nearby cultural landmarks include Museu Fotográfico João Carpinteiro and Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Elvas.

Medieval Festivals Near Algarve

Silves Medieval Fair  

The Silves Medieval Fair takes place in August, in and around the Castle of Silves. Two horse tournaments happen each night in Praça Al’Mutamid, as well as games, music, dancing, and shopping.

Enjoy costumed parades through the streets followed by street entertainers. Dramas relating to the history of Silves play out throughout the evenings. You can hire a costume for yourself as well.

Where to Stay Near The Silves Medieval Festival

• Silves History Guest House is a cozy guesthouse in Silves, steps from the Medieval Festival.
• Silves Hotels Hotel Colina Dos Mouros a hilltop hotel with stunning Silves views, near the festival.
• Carvoeiro Hotels Tivoli if you are looking for a luxurious beachfront hotel, a short drive from the festival.

Medieval Days at Castelo da Vila de Castro Marim

Late August brings on the medieval festival of Castelo da Vila de Castro Marim.

The castle is run-down but does have a torture chamber of note.

The town will come alive with street theatre, jugglers, fire breathers, pipers, rope dancers, contortionists, swordsmen, snake charmers, falconry demonstrations, and medieval and Arab music, with most of the entertainment taking place at the castle.

Tickets are sold online at this website and several locations in Castro Marim.

Tips for Medieval Festivals In Portugal

• Nearly all medieval festivals are hosted in the summer.  This means heat, sometimes sweltering, during the sunlight and a chill in the air once the sun goes down.
• Going in the afternoon can mean fewer people and shorter lines.
• It’s good to see the festivals in the daytime to take it all in.  
• The best shows happen after dark.  The effects, like fire breathers, are also more intense after dark.
• If you have reduced mobility, many of these festivals are not for you.  As they are set in ancient settings with zero mobility, it would be challenging, if not impossible, to get around.
• Bring cash.  There are no credit card transactions at these smaller shows.

There is so much to love in Portugal, and Medieval Festivals are one of them. It’s a good way to learn about the culture and continually embrace them! I hope you’ll enjoy our beloved home.

Xoxo,

Leslie