Castle of the Cheese
Castle of the Cheese
3.5
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3.5
433 reviews
Excellent
87
Very good
167
Average
159
Poor
16
Terrible
4
John L
Grand Bend, Canada2,180 contributions
Mar 2020
The fort (it is neither a fortress or castle) was built in the 17th century to ward off attacks from North African pirates. Apparently it was built near a huge rounded stone that resembled a wheel of cheese. I'm not sure what importance ... if any ... that the fort played in Porto's history, and there is nothing to see inside. But it's close to the beach, so take a quick glance when passing by. That will be enough.
Written 21 March 2020
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.
Bozeman-Dublin
Trim, Ireland11,341 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
Beautiful old fort dating back 400 years or so, known as the castle of the cheese. I guess its because of its flat round shape? It's not a castle but a typical Portuguese coastal defensive fort, the type they have built all over the world, not just in their homeland but in colonies.
It's squat and stauch standing against the stormy seas. I loved it actually. Right on the coast road on a roundabout but easy parking nearby.
It's squat and stauch standing against the stormy seas. I loved it actually. Right on the coast road on a roundabout but easy parking nearby.
Written 17 February 2020
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.
Ray V
Chaves, Portugal352 contributions
June 2017 • Couples
This fort is located in the area between the neighborhood of Foz do Douro and the city of Matosinhos. Despite the name there is no connection to cheese (queijo) here. The name apparently comes from the rock upon which it was built that had the form of a cheese. The official name is Forte de São Francisco Xavier. It was built during the wars of Portuguese restoration of independence from Spain (1640-1688) to protect Porto from any attacks coming from the north. They never came. As forts go it doesn't make for an extraordinary visit, but if you are in the area you should drop by. The entry fee is only 50 cents and there is a room with weapons, and military awards. Not that interesting. But climbing to the top you have good views of the open sea and you can relax imagining how it must have been four centuries ago. But, in the summer don't forget your sun protector.
Written 15 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.
Marek U
Warsaw, Poland369 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
and a funny smell of course.. you may always take a tram no 1 (terribly crowded) to get there but it is better to go there by foot..
Written 15 October 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.
El_Diputado
Vigo, Spain682 contributions
Aug 2017 • Solo
At the end of Av. Boavista you find this fort called Castelo do Queijo in Portuguese. That name comes from the fact it had built over a rock with shape of a cheese.
Inside there are a small cafe, a small museum, a small 2nd hand items store and amazing views from the terrace.
The access costs 0,50 eu
Inside there are a small cafe, a small museum, a small 2nd hand items store and amazing views from the terrace.
The access costs 0,50 eu
Written 30 August 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.
The_Loup_Garou
Phoenix, AZ165,453 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
On our visit to Matosinhos, on the Atlantic Ocean, we stopped at the Forte de São Francisco Xavier, which guarded the coast, just below Matosinhos harbor, and at the terminus of Avenida da Boavista, the primary thoroughfare between Oporto and Matosinhos. The Forte is also reachable from the city center via the Tram (Électrico).
The Forte de São Francisco Xavier is a defensive structure, built in the mid-1600's, under a commission by King John, and is still in excellent shape, and especially so, considering that it sits on a rocky outcropping, over the vast Atlantic Ocean. That outcropping is locally referred to as Praia do Queijo – the Beach of cheese, due to the rocks’ resemblance to a block of cheese. I did not see that likeness, but cannot argue with the description – perhaps it looks different, at different times of the day? We were there fairly early on a mid-September morning, so maybe a trick of the eye, or the light? The Forte was constructed on a much earlier building site, suggested to be Celtic in origin, and dating to the 6th Century.
Entrance fee to the Forte de São Francisco Xavier is but €0.50, however there is no literature available, and few informational signs.
The interior is quite interesting, and well-worth a look, if for no other reason that to understand the operational aspects of an early defensive fort. There were still a few cannons in place, and the views of the Atlantic Ocean, plus the shoreline up to Matosinhos are spectacular.
This is definitely a “must-see,” and with so much around it, well-worth the effort to get out here. While one can easily spend an hour in/around the Forte de São Francisco Xavier, and the surrounding beach, they will already be within a stone’s throw of so many interesting sites, that the trip will be greatly rewarded.
The Forte de São Francisco Xavier is a defensive structure, built in the mid-1600's, under a commission by King John, and is still in excellent shape, and especially so, considering that it sits on a rocky outcropping, over the vast Atlantic Ocean. That outcropping is locally referred to as Praia do Queijo – the Beach of cheese, due to the rocks’ resemblance to a block of cheese. I did not see that likeness, but cannot argue with the description – perhaps it looks different, at different times of the day? We were there fairly early on a mid-September morning, so maybe a trick of the eye, or the light? The Forte was constructed on a much earlier building site, suggested to be Celtic in origin, and dating to the 6th Century.
Entrance fee to the Forte de São Francisco Xavier is but €0.50, however there is no literature available, and few informational signs.
The interior is quite interesting, and well-worth a look, if for no other reason that to understand the operational aspects of an early defensive fort. There were still a few cannons in place, and the views of the Atlantic Ocean, plus the shoreline up to Matosinhos are spectacular.
This is definitely a “must-see,” and with so much around it, well-worth the effort to get out here. While one can easily spend an hour in/around the Forte de São Francisco Xavier, and the surrounding beach, they will already be within a stone’s throw of so many interesting sites, that the trip will be greatly rewarded.
Written 5 May 2019
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.
NoNoise1963
Nanoose Bay, Canada51 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
its fine as a quick 30 minute visit - nothing special, but if you are in the area then its worth a visit. At .50Euro that's all its worth. Great view out over the crashing waves and the beaches, but that's about it.
Written 1 October 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.
pcousteau
riodejaneiro29 contributions
June 2015 • Couples
nice spot, close by matosinho surf point, view to the harbour, but poor infrastructure, a small shop, no coffee house, and you have to pay a symbolic entrance for a symbolic visit
Written 15 March 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.
RChangla
Los Angeles1,576 contributions
May 2015
This is an old castle at the end of Ave. Da Boavista, City bus can get there. Always some people exercise at the beach around the castle. It was closed when we went there, but there are great view to the City and Ocean.
Written 16 August 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.
whosemother
Nelson, New Zealand279 contributions
Nov 2014 • Couples
I agree that there is not much to see but the real beauty of the fort is its architecture and location. It presents a wonderful photographic opportunity with the sea and the beach, plus what ever the weather is doing.
Good walks either side.
Good walks either side.
Written 6 November 2014
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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