Welcome To The Portuguese Town That Is Straight Out Of The Flintstones

Who else wished to visit ‘Bedrock’, the cartoon city in The Flintstones, when they were children? Well, maybe now you can get close. There is a Portuguese village called Monsanto, built in, under, and around huge boulders, that is perhaps the closest alternative that exists, and although Fred and Wilma won’t be waiting to welcome you, authentic yet unique Portuguese culture steeped in ancient history will more than make up for it.

Located on a mountaintop in central Portugal and just a short drive from the Spanish border is Monsanto, named in 1938 as “The Most Portuguese Village in Portugal” and classified as one of the “Historical Villages of Portugal“. Looking at the photos, one thing is certainly clear: this is perhaps one of the most extraordinary and visit-worthy villages in the entire Iberian Peninsula.

Houses in the rock of Monsanto, Portugal

Anyone interested in travel photography and history should make visiting this village a priority. Why?

Amazing Sights

The narrow roads winding through the village are very representative of an older Portugal, one generally missed when you only visit the cities. Although cobbled and primarily grey, the area is charming and the proud locals brighten corners and passageways with potted plants and flowers.

At the top of the village is a fortified castle that now stands as a lasting memory of the role once held by the Knights Templar in Portugal.

Overlooking of Monsanto village, Portugal

History and Heritage

Monsanto’s classification as one of the ‘Historical Villages of Portugal’ came from the role it helped play in protecting Portugal’s borders from invasions throughout the years.

The fortified castle isn’t the only landmark showcasing the local heritage. Make sure to check out the clock tower topped with a silver rooster – an emblematic figure in Portuguese culture – as well as the Manueline and Rennaisance style churches. And there’s no missing the medieval infrastructure all around.

Typical rural house in Monsanto village, Portugal

Ironically, the earliest signs of inhabitants indicate that people have resided in the area since the Stone Age.

Sure, you won’t see Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble “driving” to work together in a foot-powered vehicle, but it could be fun to imagine, don’t you think?

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.