Monsanto (TV's Game of Thrones) Full Day Private Tour from Lisbon
Description
Adventure yourself on a full-day private SUV eco-Tour to Monsanto from Lisbon and discover Dragonstone, one of the most identifiable locations of House of the Dragon, the prequel to the award-winning TV drama Game of Thrones. This fictional and iconic location in Targaryen story was filmed in the Mountain and Castle of Monsanto in Portugal which is a fortress-village that dates back to the time of the first Knights Templar. Monsanto features Dragonstone in several episodes, but especially frames Dragonstone's most wonderful scenes throughout the thrilling tenth and final episode of House of the Dragon. The location had to be special, out of this world and full of mystique to serve in an epic finale. As the HBO hit series' director said "when we saw Monsanto, on a mountain, our jaws dropped and we felt we had found Dragonstone", the home of House Targaryen, the very own HotD. Get surprised too and immerse in the scenic fantasy world of HotD and GoT, while learning about local landmarks.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Depart from anywhere in the Greater Lisbon Area to Monsanto. We'd love to, but we're sorry we can't make a dragon available for you to fly to Dragonstone. The ride really has to be by car. Anyway, expect a full day as this is a 10-hour tour and you will hit about 600 km of road at the end of the day. You'll cross through Portugal, deep into its heart to discover Monsanto and its links to Dragonstone and the hugely popular TV series, House of the Dragon. Despite the distance, rest assured that the car is very comfortable and air-conditioned, the tour is private, the landscapes are beautiful, there are snacks, the conversation is knowledgeable and friendly and 80% of the route is on the highway.
The tour departs directly to Monsanto, with short stops for rest along the way. Although this is a House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones theme tour, there will also be plenty of time for conversation and to learn more about Portugal's history and culture from your driver-guide. Yes. There will be lots of chatter on the road. You'll learn how Monsanto was transformed into Dragonstone, will realize why it was the most challenging film location from the entire House of the Dragon series and will be amazed by the extraordinary filmmaking efforts made in this singular location. You'll also get to know Monsanto's historic and cultural landmarks that date back to the time of the foundation of the Kingdom of Portugal and beyond. By the way... Did you know that Portugal is one of the oldest countries in the world and has the oldest borders in Europe?
Once you have arrived in Monsanto, it's time to get the camera ready. After quickly recovering your energy, you'll trek straight up to the top of the mountain to the 12th century ruins of the Castle and Walls of Monsanto and filming locations of the HotD series. Expect an easy-moderate 20 to 30 minute walk. At the top of the mountain you will wander among the incredible natural rock formations and the 850-year-old ruined walls. Explore the Mountain and be astonished by the magnificence of the mythical site that gives homeland, drama, romance, and life to the series' key characters, Princess Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon Targaryen. As long you discover the locations you'll recognize at least the Top 3 most majestic scenes of Dragonstone served by the breathtaking natural backdrops of Monsanto: - The wedding of Princess Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon Targaryen - The crematorium of Rhaenyra and Daemon's unborn child - The coronation of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen
After experiencing these mythical and epic scenarios, you will say wow, what a place, and start walking to the medieval village, clearly lost in time and where you will also get lost in the narrow and picturesque streets. Walk through the remarkably well-preserved medieval village of Monsanto, located in the heart of the country, known as the village of stone due to its unique constructions of houses made of stone and also considered the most Portuguese village of Portugal.
It's lunchtime. Although this is not included in the tour program, we have set aside time in the program for lunch and suggest that you have it on the spot, in one of the few restaurants in the village or picnic-style in a pleasant outdoor spot nearby. Once you've booked your tour, we'll take care of these details for you and with you.
On the way back to Lisbon, after lunch and with plenty to talk about, an extra treat awaits you. We will take a quick detour to the riverside to relax a bit, maybe have a drink and to glimpse the curious location of the 850-year-old Castle of Almourol. An impressively well-preserved Castle also from the time of the early Templars and located on a rocky islet of the longest and most famous Portuguese river, the Tagus. Note: This tour does not include a visit inside Almourol Castle. This stop is solely for admiring the castle from the shore and learning about its history.
By this time you'll be back in the Lisbon area, chatting away, revisiting the best moments of the day and selecting the most Instagrammable photos from this experience. You will arrive back at your hotel by around 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Also, and of great importance to all of us, we would like you to know that this is a 100% sustainable car trip, as we fully offset the GHG emissions generated.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
If you're in a hotel, please wait in the hotel lobby. If you are staying in another type of accommodation, please wait by the main door at street level. To meet your driver-guide look for a curious and funny "a" which he/she will hold on his/her shirt, hat or eventually in his/her hand.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate.
- By choosing this private activity, you're choosing a free tour for children under 11 and a 100% sustainable car trip, as all GHG emissions generated are fully offset.
- The Operator is licensed by the Portuguese Tourism Authority and complies with all legal health, safety and insurance regulations.
- It is mandatory to book 1 seat per child, regardless of age and even if it is mentioned that it is free.
- Not recommended for small children unused to travelling by car (up to 1.5 H between stops, up to 12 H for the day).
- Not allowed to travel with non-folding wheelchairs or strollers.
- Although the village is accessible, some of the highlights of this tour, the castle and walls of Monsanto and the sets from the series House of the Dragon, are not wheelchair, trolley or stroller accessible.
- Even having to hike up a mountain, the walk is relatively short and of easy-to-moderate physical demand. Participants do not need to have a high level of physical fitness.
- Primarily, but not guaranteed, this tour takes place in a Volvo SUV or a Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan.
- For reasons beyond the control of the Tour Operator, it reserves the right to alter or cancel any service without prior notice due to the impossibility of carrying it out. It further informs that in the event of impossibility of access, by road or on foot, to any site or impossibility of visit to any attraction listed in the itinerary, the customer will not be entitled to any refund.
- By booking this Activity: you have acknowledged that photographs and videos may be taken during the Activity; you have consented that these may be published by the Tour Operator, either online or offline; and you have agreed to waive any rights of ownership or earnings at any time over these records. If you do not accept this, simply inform the Tour Guide on arrival at the start of the Activity.
Reviews(7)
My family of six took the tour with Marco A. and we had a wonderful experience. He was very patient and hospitable. He made sure my older family members, in their 70s, were never left behind and were always engaged in the tour. His knowledge of Monsanto, the history and it’s relevance towards Portuguese history was tremendous. We never felt rushed as we took as many photos we could possibly want when it came to all the Game of Thrones sites. We highly recommended taking the tour with Marco if possible. You won’t be disappointed.
Thank you for the delightful review. Your comments have touched us. We’re delighted to hear that you had a wonderful experience and that your guide, Marco, catered to all your interests, engaged everyone, and made the experience truly special. It was a pleasure having you on board. Many thanks for the glowing recommendation.
First of all, we want to highlight the treatment that was given to us by Marco Alves: kindness, a lot of knowledge about the tour, respect for our needs; finally, sensational! Regarding the tour in Monsanto, could not have been more special: beautiful day and unforgettable landscapes! We have already indicated for several friends!
Muito obrigado pelo belíssimo comentário. Estamos super contentes por saber que gostaram do tour, que foi especial e que o Marco (o Guia) o tornou sensacional. Foi um prazer ter-vos a bordo na descoberta deste sitio mágico que é Monsanto. Obrigado pela curiosidade e pela recomendação.
Marco was an excellent & personable tour guide! He not only showed us the exact filming spots for “House of the Dragon”, but provided a historic summary of the village itself. We had lunch after exploring Monsanto & an unexpected side adventure meeting the village kittens! Definitely worth the visit in such a quaint, magical place. ✨
Thank you very much for your kind comments. Happy that you enjoyed the experience. It was a pleasure to share this whole day with you, full of discovery, learning, and fun. Thank you for your curiosity.
My husband and I really enjoyed our day with Marco of The Amity Family! Marco came to pick us up in Cascais, he was prompt and the vehicle was very nice, comfortable and clean (and worked very well for my 6’10 husband). Marco was very informative, sharing with us not only about the tour we were on but some history of Portugal as well and we definitely appreciated that. It was a super hot day but he was prepared with lots of water for us. Once we completed the tour (which was awesome!) on our way back to Cascais, we stopped at Helana restaurant (Marco had already made reservations for us) and the food was amazing! We loved everything we ate and the chef came out to greet us, which is always a nice touch. I will definitely be recommending Marco and The Amity Family tours to friends who’ll be visiting Portugal. Top notch all the way!
Thank you very much for your wonderful review and recommendation. It was a pleasure to meet you and take you on tour to Monsanto. We're glad you enjoyed the experience and that we had the opportunity to introduce you to the filming locations for Game of Thrones as well as all the history and heritage of this village in the inland region of Portugal.
From the moment I arrived in Portugal, I was struck by the warmth of its people and the charm of its landscapes. Each location revealed a new treasure, be it a cobblestone street lined with quaint cafes or a vibrant market buzzing with life. Among these marvels, one destination rose above the rest, leaving an indelible impression on my travels - Monsanto. I was in awe as I took in the history and beauty of the village of Monsanto. Our gifted tour guide, Marco, took us on a beautiful journey through time as he walked us through the breathtaking mountainous terrain and ruins of these amazing medieval fortifications. He never missed a beat as he spoke about historical events and timelines, architectural wonders, folklore and about its cultural vibrancy. This was by far one of the best experiences I had while visiting the lovely country of Portugal, it would not have been the same without Marco! He is extremely patient, kind, professional, knowledgeable, and thoughtful.
Wow! We are very happy with your appreciation and thank you very much for sharing your impressions. We are touched and honored to know that this guided tour was one of the highlights of your trip to discover Portugal. It was an absolute pleasure to tour guide you and your lovely family.Thank you very much.
Monsanto was beautiful, a truly unique place. Marco was a knowledgeable guide who was flexible and relaxed in his approach.which allowed us to tailor the day to our interests. This was one of the best day trips I have ever done.
Thank you very much for your words... I'm very honored to have delivered one of the best day trips you've ever done and I'm very happy that you're taking with you back to Tasmania an extraordinary memory of this unique place that is Monsanto. Thank you.
Marco worked with me to set up a personalized itenerary. He picked us up in Lisbon and toured us through Tomar and Monsanto. He was very knowledgeable about the historical and cultural significance of the areas and was great about explaining every thing to us. he arranged lunch at a very nice restaurant in Tomar and was very flexible about changing the schedule to accommodate us. He dropped us off at our hotel in Coimbra at the end of the day. He had a very comfortable Mercedes sedan and made sure we had bottled water and a pleasant drive. This tour was one of the highlights of our trip to Portugal! Recommend with no hesitation.
Thank you very much Archana for your words. Happy to hear that this tour was one of the highlights of your trip to Portugal! It was a pleasure to tour you to Tomar and Monsanto. Thank you for your recommendation.
