Castelo Branco
Castelo Branco
4.5
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4.5
43 reviews
Excellent
23
Very good
14
Average
6
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Odd_Meter
New York522 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
This abandoned castle tower stands on a high point overlooking Furnas Lake and the ocean around Vila Franca do Campo. It is accessed via a small paved road between EN1-1A and EN4-2A (coordinates 37.754413, -25.355771). There is space to park by the road and a short 5-minute walk along a dirt road to the castle. It is certainly prime real estate; the view is sublime in every direction. The doors of the castle are left open, and the stairs to the top are in good shape. Castelo Branco has a different feel from the well-tended miradouros along the main roads, and well worth finding.
Written 21 June 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.
SidiousB
London, UK32 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
If you're on your way to or from Furnas make sure to spare a few minutes to go here. It was used as a pirate view point I believe, and the views are just incredible.
Written 29 October 2017
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.
SarahAndTerry
St. Augustine, FL233 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
Take the winding road up to the tiny castle (not white any more!) Amazing lookout point over the lake, and the gate of the castle door was not locked so we climbed the stairs to the roof. Little gem!
Written 9 September 2017
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.
Rose38X
Toronto, Canada140 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
We went with our guide and it was a lovely spot to stop and enjoy the view. My boys enjoyed hearing about the history of the tower, how it was a lookout and warning tower to alert nearby villagers of approaching pirates. So cool!
Written 5 August 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.
Allegro8032
Boston, MA30 contributions
Jul 2018
The Lock on the gate was sawed off when we showed up so we got to climb up to the top! Windy but amazing views of both Vila Franca and the Furnas lake. Went in late afternoon when sky was clear. Parked just off the paved road by the stone entrance, walked the dirt road for about 1 minute to the actual fortress. Lots of cows. Worth the stop!
Written 26 July 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.
Mrsbrant
Ontario, Canada194 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
I ended up finding Castelo Branco in my way to Furnas. I parked at the bottom of the hill and walked up. The day was overcast and a bit rainy, however, as I climbed to the top, I was rewarded with a spectacular view. Well worth a quick visit!
Written 29 May 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.
monaHungary
Piliscsaba, Hungary951 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
Tiny tower on the top of the hill with suberb views of Lagoa da Furnas. You can park on the roadside or drive up some 100 metres on the dirt road.
It's absolutely free to visit so you can go there anytime.
It's absolutely free to visit so you can go there anytime.
Written 27 May 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.
Bill R
Lebanon, CT49 contributions
Jun 2017 • Family
A nice little place to stop along the way to Furnas. We took the highland road from Maia and just happened upon it. Great views and we had the place all to ourselves
Written 26 June 2017
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.
Deborah K
Toronto, Canada180 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
This attraction is on the mountain and gives an amazing surround view of Furnas and Vila Franca do Campo, I believe. It's just amazing. We had trouble finding it on a few occasions and because it's high, we got a lot of unpredictable weather patterns with fog and cloud and rain coming and going or even persisting. After seeing the sign, we parked and walked up the dirt path to get to the tower. We did make it on a clear day and the view is just incredible.
On the occasions we made it into the mountain's windy roads, we meet dairy farmers who graze their cows up here and they come on site to milk their cows and move them from pasture to pasture. We even got stuck waiting at one point while the cows were moved on the road and the car became surrounded by cows! A really interesting experience.
You probably don't need to plan a day to visit the attraction but rather, add it to a "route" you're taking to see something else. I'd plan maybe 20 minutes or so to check out the view once you arrive on site.
On the occasions we made it into the mountain's windy roads, we meet dairy farmers who graze their cows up here and they come on site to milk their cows and move them from pasture to pasture. We even got stuck waiting at one point while the cows were moved on the road and the car became surrounded by cows! A really interesting experience.
You probably don't need to plan a day to visit the attraction but rather, add it to a "route" you're taking to see something else. I'd plan maybe 20 minutes or so to check out the view once you arrive on site.
Written 15 June 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.
KGB777
Singapore, Singapore41,326 contributions
Nov 2015 • Solo
Castelo Branco is well worth a stop if you get the chance. It's a little tricky to find, and I only really reached it by chance whilst driving in the direction of Furnas from Ponta Delgada. But if you follow the sign from the main road it's easy enough to reach. Views out over the surrounding countryside are great and the little castelo itself is quite pretty. It wasn't possible to go inside when I was there.
Written 5 December 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.
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