Santa Maria da Feira Castle
Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal
A well-preserved medieval castle with conical turrets on a wooded hill, the setting of a large medieval fair each summer. Car park at the foot of the hill.
Santa Maria da Feira Castle stands on a hill about 22 km south of Porto. It has an irregular oval plan with a barbican and moat and four rectangular watchtowers. The battlements, the machicolations on the keep and the turrets with conical roofs date mainly from the remodelling by the Pereira family, to whom the castle was granted in 1448. A hexagonal Baroque chapel was added in 1656. After a fire in 1722 the castle was abandoned; it was restored in the early 20th century and has been open to the public since 1950.
Every summer the castle hosts the “Viagem Medieval em Terra de Santa Maria”, a medieval festival in the historic centre. In 2026 it ran from 28 July to 9 August across 37 hectares, with the organisers expecting around 650,000 visits (as of July 2026). At that time expect big crowds and plan to arrive early. Check opening times and festival dates beforehand on the official websites.
- Nearest town
- Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 40.9207, -8.5436
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March and November–December. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Portugal: Electronic tolls by number plate. Some motorways only have electronic tolls; register your plate or rent a transponder. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Parque Municipal de Campismo de EspinhoCampsite13 km from Santa Maria da Feira CastleTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposal
- CampidouroCampsite16 km from Santa Maria da Feira CastleTentsCaravans
- Parque de Autocaravanas do Parque Biológico de GaiaMotorhome stopover20 km from Santa Maria da Feira Castle · 9 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposal
- Parque de Campismo da TorreiraCampsite22 km from Santa Maria da Feira CastleElectricityShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Istas GardenCampsite23 km from Santa Maria da Feira CastleTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Parque de Campismo de SalgueirosCampsite24 km from Santa Maria da Feira CastleTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
All campsites in Portugal · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Santa Maria da Feira Castle?
Santa Maria da Feira Castle is in Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal, at GPS 40.9207, -8.5436. It is about 10 km from Ovar.
Can you camp near Santa Maria da Feira Castle?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Parque de Campismo de Esmoriz, about 10 km away; within 25 km there are 23 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Santa Maria da Feira Castle?
Santa Maria da Feira Castle is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Aveiro, Bussaco and Coimbra.
What is there to see near Santa Maria da Feira Castle?
Places worth a stop nearby: Paiva Walkways (25 km), Mercado do Bolhão (26 km), Aveiro Canals and Old Centre (33 km) and Costa Nova (38 km).
When is the best time to visit Santa Maria da Feira Castle?
The most pleasant months are usually April–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March and November–December. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)