Taste the thickness of the silence between the walls of a monastery, spin from castles to palaces, the bedrooms of kings and queens for overnight stopovers... This is how the Portugal of
pousadas
is written , these converted historic buildings in hotels from 1942, by decision of the government.
Over the acquisitions, the state undertakes the restoration of the national architectural heritage.
From north to south of the country, as far as the Azores and Madeira, castles, palaces, monasteries, convents and historic hotels join the ranks of
pousadas
.
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Now owned by the Pestana group, these 34 addresses continue to weave a thread between eras by combining the tradition of Portuguese hospitality, cultural heritage and contemporary comfort.
Some exude an old-fashioned charm, others have been rehabilitated by great architects.
Some reveal austere lines, others rococo whims.
A collection that calls on every traveler to find a
pousada
to their liking.
Follow our guide!
Read alsoIn Portugal, our must-sees in the Peneda-Gerês National Park
North of Portugal
POUSADA VIANA DE CASTELO
The Pousada de Viana do Castelo is located on the heights of Monte de Santa Luzia, in Viana do Castelo.
Pestana Hotel Group/Pousadas de Portugal
Perched on the heights of Mount Santa Luzia, this
pousada
offers one of the most spectacular views in Portugal.
All the rooms also seem to face the landscape, opening onto the town of Viana de Castelo and the Sanctuary of Saint Lucia, the insolent green nature and beyond, the Lima River and the ocean.
From the rooms with a delicately old-fashioned look, we will then go down to dine under the arcades, the architectural heritage of the former Hotel Santa Luzia, opened in 1921. The table highlights the classics of Minho cuisine, to be accompanied by
vinho verde
(green wine) produced in the region.
From €145 per night.
Pousada Viana de Castelo, Monte de Santa Luzia, 4901-909 Viana do Castelo.
Such.
: +351 258 800 370.
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POUSADA MOSTEIRO DE GUIMARÃES, GUIMARÃES
The Pousada da Guimarães, in Guimarães.
Pestana Hotel Group/Pousadas de Portugal
From the holiday resort of the Augustinian monks in the 12th century and then of the Portuguese royalty, all that remains today are the stone walls and walkways.
Ah, if only they could talk…!
Failing to offer its secrets, this former monastery calls for contemplation, from the silent cloisters to the gardens, from the library to the rooms and up to the outdoor terrace, adorned with 18th century azulejos.
The historical heritage is palpable even in the decoration, which gives pride of place to draperies, chandeliers and dark wood furniture.
Beyond the walls, Guimarães, the cradle of Portugal listed by Unesco, is only a stone's throw away and deserves a great day's visit... before curling up near the outdoor swimming pool, having an aperitif in the former monastery kitchen and
go to dinner at the restaurant of the pousada, very famous.
From €195 per night.
Pousada Mosteiro de Guimarães, Largo Domingos Leite de Castro, Lugar da Costa, 4810-011 Guimarães.
Such.
: +351 253 511 249
POUSADA MOSTEIRO DE AMARES, AMARES
The Pousada de Santa Maria do Bouro, better known as the Pousada Mosteiro de Amares is located in Amares, between the city of Braga and the Serra do Gerês.
Pestana Hotel Group/Pousadas de Portugal
Stop at the Pousada Mosteiro de Amares, between the city of Braga and the Serra do Gerês and you will probably want to extend your vacation indefinitely.
From the ruins of this former 12th-century Cistercian monastery, architect Eduardo Souto Moura, winner of the Pritzker Prize in 2011, has restored grandeur.
A very beautiful address, which combines monastic rigor and contemporary lines, transforming the 32 cells into pleasant rooms whose furniture is signed Siza Vieira, another great name in architecture in Portugal.
Cloisters placed in the shade of the church with a view of the gardens, the pastures and the mountains, the splendid fireplace near which to settle down to read a few pages... Beyond that, the location of the
pousada
invites you to explore the surroundings: the National Park of Peneda, Gerês and Braga, one of the main religious centers of Portugal.
From €152 per night.
Pousada Mosteiro Amares, Largo do Terreiro, Santa Maria do Bouro, 4720-633 Amares.
Such.
: +351 253 371 970.
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POUSADA DO PORTO - RUA DAS FLORES, PORTO
The Pousada do Porto, in Porto.
Pestana Hotel Group/Pousadas de Portugal
In the heart of Porto, this
pousada
opened in 2021 occupies an elegant high corner building in the 18th century.
It is one of the last addresses to have joined the family of pousadas and sees the convergence between its walls of vaulted ceilings and contemporary lines, original stones, marble and sculpted wood of today.
Everything here is reminiscent of Portugal, and more particularly the art of living in the north of the country.
In the pedestrian street, restaurants, cafes, artisan and designer shops allow you to take the pulse of the city while a few steps away, the main sites to visit invite you to become familiar with the history of Porto (the maze of the historic district of Ribeira, listed by Unesco, the Clerigos Tower, the Church of Mercy, etc.).
And the calm after the storm?
Everyone can find it in the comfort of the elegant rooms (from 21m²) or on the shaded patio, an urban oasis sheltered from the crowds.
From €154 per night.
Pousada do Porto.
Rua das Flores 94, União de Freguesias do Centro, 4050-262.
Read alsoThe Portugal of family homes: our favorite
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Alentejo
POUSADA DE ARRAIOLOS, ARRAIOLOS
The Pousada Convento de Arraiolos is located in the town of Arraiolos, in Alentejo, in a former convent located 1.2 km from the historic center.
Pestana Hotel Group/Pousadas de Portugal
Pile: a 16th century convent and its grandiose chapel covered with 17th century azulejos, leading to the hearth covered in gold.
Front: a renovation of the building which sees each nun's cell become a pleasant room with a fireplace, while it opens up views of the Arraiolo valley.
The
pousada
d'Arraiolos mixes genres with taste and without neglecting the history of the place.
Where to have lunch facing the valley, take a dip in the outdoor swimming pool or have a spa treatment.
Tennis courts, horseback riding or walking along the paths.
Not far away, the village of Arraiolos, former stronghold of Portuguese tapestry, lends itself to a visit around the tradition of making woolen carpets, in particular at the Center of Interpretation of the Tapestry of Arraiolos, very well documented.
Perhaps there will still be a little time left to taste the wines of the young Fita Preta estate, nearby.
From €142 per night.
Pousada de Arraiolos, Nossa Sra.
da Assunção, 7044-909 Arraiolos, Tel.
: +351 266 419 340.
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POUSADA MOSTEIRO DO CRATO, FLOR DA ROSA
The Pousada Mosteiro do Crato is located in the village of Flor da Rosa, municipality of Crato, in the heart of the high Alentejo, 22 km from Portalegre.
Pestana Hotel Group/Pousadas de Portugal
In the heart of Upper Alentejo, 22 kilometers from Portalegre, the
pousada
do Crato is located in the village of Flor da Rosa.
Located within the walls of a monastery of the Order of Hospitallers dating from the 14th century, its transformation into a hotel led to the construction of a new wing by the architect Carrilho da Graça.
Yesterday's architecture and today's lines respond to each other in harmony, a pretty play of lines and curves even in the rooms.
Made of stone and wood, offering generous volumes, they open onto the Alentejan plains.
Rest in sight... At the table, sweet tooths will taste the delicious local dessert.
Known as “Tecolameco”, it offers an almond variation around the classic Portuguese pastry ingredients (egg yolk, sugar and cinnamon).
From €161 per night.
Pousada Mosteiro do Crato, Mosteiro da Flor da Rosa, 7430-999 Crato, Tel.
: +351 245 997 210.
Read alsoIn Portugal, an underground hotel UFO in the Alentejo
Central Portugal
POUSADA DA SERRA DA ESTRELA
The Pousada da Serra da Estrela is located within the Serra da Estrela Natural Park, in Covilhã.
Pestana Hotel Group/Pousadas de Portugal
Within the Serra da Estrela Natural Park, one of the best addresses in the region to experience the serenity of the mountains.
Through the windows, you can see the highest peaks of mainland Portugal, snow-capped or green depending on the season
and the altitude at which your gaze wanders.
Choose to spend the night in one of the superior rooms installed in the tower, so as not to interrupt anything of your tete-a-tete with the mountains of Covilhã.
From superb wooden and steel elevators to the restoration, by Eduardo Souto de Mora, of the main structure of the former
Serra da Estrela sanctuary, a beautiful high-perched address.
A lunch in the garden, and we taste the regional specialties, such as the platter of local cheeses, served with a gin which is just as much.
Unless you prefer a red wine like the delicious Quinta dos Termos (Reserva do Patrão) - without taking your eyes off the mountains.
Not far away, the Burel factory, emblematic of Portugal, can be visited.
You can learn about the process of making thick woolen blankets, recently brought up to date by this Portuguese brand created in 1947. From €83 per night.
Pousada da Serra da Estrela, Estrada Nacional 339, Penhas da Saúde, 6200-324 Covilhã.
Such.
: +351 21 040 7660.
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Lisbon region
POUSADA DE LISBOA, LISBON
The Pousada de Lisboa, in the Baixa district.
Pestana Hotel Group/Pousadas de Portugal
The majestic proportions of the Praça do Comércio (Commercial Square), in the Baixa of Lisbon, leave marble neither the Lisbonites always nor the tourists of passage.
Built in place of the largest royal palace after its destruction in 1755, this emblematic square conceals treasures, from the arch of Augusta Street crowned with statues symbolizing Glory, Bravery and Genius to elegant buildings with architectural pombalina.
Among them, the Pousada de Lisboa.
In the heart of the city, you can taste the freshness of a mansion, without losing sight of the Tagus on one side, the roofs of the Baixa on the other.
Witnesses to the prestige of the building, the ballroom, the vaulted ceilings and the interior garden, perfectly preserved.
The elegance of a historic setting,
contemporary comfort… A very fine address, endorsed by the “Small Leading Hotels of the World”.
From €345 per night.
Pousada de Lisboa, Praça do Comércio 31 34, 1100-148 Lisboa, Portugal.
Such.
: +351 21 040 7640.
Read alsoWhere to sleep in Lisbon for less than 150 euros?
Our ten favorite hotels in the Portuguese capital
Algarve
POUSADA PALACIO DE ESTOI, FARO
Housed in a former 18th century neoclassical palace and a contemporary annex building, this upscale hotel is located 11 km from Faro.
Pestana Hotel Group/Pousadas de Portugal
Crushed raspberry-coloured facade, pendant chandeliers, decorated ceilings, myriad columns: near the Serra do Barrocal, balanced between the Atlantic coast and the mountains, the
Pousada
Palacio de Estoi seems to have escaped from a Walt Disney.
This former 17th century palace speaks rococo, but a rococo that fits in surprisingly well with the rigorously-lined extension created by the Portuguese architect Gonçalo Byrne.
The scent of carob and orange trees, the fountains and the French gardens where the statues of poets and philosophers seem deep in conversation complete this neo-baroque picture.
Beyond the walls, the small village of Estoi is one of the Algarve's best kept secrets.
A maze of quiet alleys, which deserves to leave, the time of a walk,
pousada
.
From €147 per night.
Pousada Palacio de Estoi, R. de São José, 8005-465 Faro.
Such.
: +351 21 040 7620.
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POUSADA DE VILA REAL DE SANTO ANTÓNIO, VILA REAL DE SANTO ANTÓNIO
The Vila Real de Santo Antonio, in the south of the Algarve.
Pestana Hotel Group/Pousadas de Portugal
Heading for the south-east of the Algarve!
This land, an integral part of the most touristic region of Portugal, is nevertheless considered to be different, far from the crowds and the excesses of hazardous real estate development.
Some 50 km from Faro and on the edge of the Spanish border, Vila Real de Santo Antonio is a good example, which reveals its elegant charms to whoever takes the time to stop there.
It is here, in the heart of the city whose reconstruction was entrusted to the Marquis of Pombal after the earthquake of 1755, that this address opened its doors in July 2022. Between the walls of a former customs building giving on the charming main square, paved and planted with trees, 57 rooms with a contemporary look invite you to surrender to the rest of the holidays.
The gardens of the pousada,
the rooftop bar and the three swimming pools complete this panorama, close to some of the most beautiful beaches in the region and the Castro Marim nature reserve.
From €154 per night.
Pousada de Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Praça do Marquês de Pombal 30, 8900-231 Vila Real de Santo António.
Such.
: +351 281 249 120.
Read alsoDiscovering the Algarve, the magnetic southern tip of Portugal
