A plunge into Templar times
![Almourol Castle - Vila Nova da Barquinha 1 - Cris Pelo Mundo ALMOUROL CASTLE VILA NOVA DA BARQUINHA TRAVEL BLOG CRISPELOMUNDO](https://crispelomundo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/DSF3731-1024x683.jpg)
We already know that Portugal surprises and delights everyone. Each parish, municipality or town is a different surprise.
I even have the impression that the smaller the town, the more charming it is, and of course it was no different in Vila Nova da Barquinha, next to the Almourol Castle. A place that won me over with its beautiful sunset over the River Tagus.
Well, surely every child has imagined themselves in a time of castles and battles. What girl hasn't dreamed of being a princess, and what boy hasn't thought of being a king? This imagery stays with us all our lives, and some magical places are able to revive this feeling.
Vila Nova da Barquinha is one of these places, along with the imposing Almourol Castle, with breathtaking scenery. But come on, let's talk more about this castle at sunset.
![Almourol Castle - Vila Nova da Barquinha 2 - Cris Pelo Mundo PARQUE DAS ESCULTURAS VILA NOVA DA BARQUINHA PORTUGAL TRAVEL BLOG CRIS PELO MUNDO](https://crispelomundo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/DSF3482-1024x683.jpg)
Sculpture Park
We then began our journey through the Sculpture Park, on the banks of the River Tagus, protected by the shade of the willow trees.
While the children play among the sculptures, most of which are interactive, we relax in the sun on the extensive lawn. And if the Sculpture Park enchants you, wait until the next attraction, Quinta da Cardiga.
![Almourol Castle - Vila Nova da Barquinha 3 - Cris Pelo Mundo QUINTA DA CARDIGA S VILA NOVA DA BARQUINHA PORTUGAL TRAVEL BLOG CRIS PELO MUNDO](https://crispelomundo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/DSF3556-1024x683.jpg)
Quinta da Cardiga
Although it is a private property and has been closed for over fifty years, it is well worth a visit.
Its walls are covered in greenery and there's a building that at least piques the curiosity: a medieval tower right in the middle of the mansion. This tower was once part of a Templar castle and is practically
intact.
![Almourol Castle - Vila Nova da Barquinha 4 - Cris Pelo Mundo TRITEJO ALMOUROL PARQUE DAS ESCULTURAS VILA NOVA DA BARQUINHA PORTUGAL TRAVEL BLOG CRIS PELO MUNDO](https://crispelomundo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/DSF3730-1024x782.jpg)
Almourol Castle
But if it's a Templar castle we want to see, then let's go to Almourol Castle. One of the most scenic castles in Portugal, in the middle of the River Tagus. It's a Templar military building, similar to Tomar Castle. But that's not just a coincidence. Both are part of the Tagus river line and were founded by Gualdin Pais, Grand Master of the Templars in Portugal. Just imagine how many stories these walls must hold?
To further enhance the magic of the castle, we go to the top, from where you can see the beautiful view of the Tagus River and its sandbanks.
To do this tour, we chose the time near sunset, to close the day on a high note! Some companies offer a picnic on a completely electric boat, with no noise other than the river and the sound of the birds. I had this experience with Tritejo.
![Almourol Castle - Vila Nova da Barquinha 5 - Cris Pelo Mundo QUINTA RIBEIRO TANQUINHOS VILA NOVA DA BARQUINHA CRIS AROUND THE WORLD](https://crispelomundo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/DSF3781-683x1024.jpg)
Quinta do Ribeiro Tanquinhos
For accommodation, I recommend rural tourism. We stayed at Quinta do Ribeiro Tanquinhos. It's a beautiful traditional manor house with a farm full of animals that delight children. Guaranteed fun! At breakfast you'll be surprised by the fresh fruit, picked from the garden itself, and then you can book a horseback ride to enjoy the region.
Vila Nova da Barquinha is very accessible for those departing from Lisbon, but you can also take the opportunity to visit Óbidos, another village that deserves to be on your list.
![Almourol Castle - Vila Nova da Barquinha 6 - Cris Pelo Mundo PARQUE DAS ESCULTURAS VILA NOVA DA BARQUINHA PORTUGAL TRAVEL BLOG CRIS PELO MUNDO](https://i1.wp.com/crispelomundo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/DSF3473-1024x683.jpg?ssl=1)
![Almourol Castle - Vila Nova da Barquinha 7 - Cris Pelo Mundo DSF3497 - Cris Around the World](https://i0.wp.com/crispelomundo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/DSF3497-1024x683.jpg?ssl=1)
![Almourol Castle - Vila Nova da Barquinha 8 - Cris Pelo Mundo PARQUE DAS ESCULTURAS VILA NOVA DA BARQUINHA PORTUGAL TRAVEL BLOG CRIS PELO MUNDO](https://i2.wp.com/crispelomundo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/DSF3509-649x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![Almourol Castle - Vila Nova da Barquinha 9 - Cris Pelo Mundo QUINTA DA CARDIGA CRIS PELO MUNDO BEST TRAVEL BLOG PORTUGAL](https://i2.wp.com/crispelomundo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/DSF3552-1024x683.jpg?ssl=1)
![Almourol Castle - Vila Nova da Barquinha 10 - Cris Pelo Mundo QUINTA DA CARDIGA CRIS PELO MUNDO BEST TRAVEL BLOG PORTUGAL](https://i0.wp.com/crispelomundo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/DSF3565-1024x683.jpg?ssl=1)
![Almourol Castle - Vila Nova da Barquinha 11 - Cris Pelo Mundo DSF3719 - Cris Around the World](https://i0.wp.com/crispelomundo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/DSF3719-1024x683.jpg?ssl=1)
![Almourol Castle - Vila Nova da Barquinha 12 - Cris Pelo Mundo DSF3631 - Cris Around the World](https://i0.wp.com/crispelomundo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/DSF3631-1024x683.jpg?ssl=1)
![Almourol Castle - Vila Nova da Barquinha 13 - Cris Pelo Mundo ALMOUROL CASTLE TEMPLAR PORTUGAL CRIS AROUND THE WORLD BEST TRAVEL BLOG](https://i2.wp.com/crispelomundo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/DSF3653-1024x683.jpg?ssl=1)
![Almourol Castle - Vila Nova da Barquinha 14 - Cris Pelo Mundo ALMOUROL CASTLE TEMPLAR PORTUGAL CRIS AROUND THE WORLD BEST TRAVEL BLOG](https://i0.wp.com/crispelomundo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/DSF3736-1024x683.jpg?ssl=1)
![Almourol Castle - Vila Nova da Barquinha 15 - Cris Pelo Mundo PARQUE DAS ESCULTURAS VILA NOVA DA BARQUINHA PORTUGAL TRAVEL BLOG CRIS PELO MUNDO](https://i1.wp.com/crispelomundo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/DSF3810-677x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
And the vacations are here!
Supermarket in Amsterdam -
Where to sleep in Interlaken - cheap accommodation in Switzerland
Where to sleep in Interlaken - cheap accommodation in Switzerland
Arubinha - Rio de Janeiro.
Arubinha - Rio de Janeiro.
The Blessed - Salvador Carnival.
Carnival in Salvador.