Portugal built some of Europe's most architecturally significant tuberculosis sanatoria in the early 20th century — in mountain altitude locations chosen for their dry, cold air, designed by architects of the calibre of Raul Lino and inaugurated by Portuguese royalty. The Sousa Martins Sanatorium in Guarda (1907, Raul Lino), Portugal's first purpose-built TB hospital; the Sanatório Marítimo do Norte at the Atlantic shore (1916); the Serra da Pena radioactive spa hotel near Sortelha (1920s, closed 1945) and the Valongo Sanatorium above Porto create a sanatorium urbex landscape unavailable in any other Iberian country. Discover the 5 best abandoned hospitals and sanatoria in Portugal, selected from our Portugal Urbex Map — 210+ verified GPS locations.
Why Portugal Has Exceptional Abandoned Medical Heritage
Portugal's TB sanatorium programme produced some of the finest early 20th-century medical architecture in the Iberian Peninsula — Raul Lino's Sousa Martins pavilions inaugurated by the King and Queen in 1907, the Atlantic seaside sanatorium of 1916 and the radioactive spa that treated patients with the most radioactive waters in Europe. The subsequent abandonment of these extraordinary buildings creates a medical urbex heritage of unusual architectural quality.
1. Sousa Martins Sanatorium – Guarda — Portugal's First TB Sanatorium 1907, Raul Lino Architecture, Inaugurated by King Carlos I and Queen Amélia, Abandoned Pavilions, 1,000m Altitude (Known Location)
The Sousa Martins Sanatorium in Guarda was inaugurated on 18 May 1907 by King Dom Carlos I and Queen Dona Amélia — Portugal's first purpose-built tuberculosis institution, designed by architect Raul Lino according to the model of the famous European TB sanatoria including Davos in Switzerland. The sanatorium was built at 1,000 metres altitude for the dry, cold air of the Serra da Estrela foothills. The Pavilhão Dona Amélia and the Pavilhão Dom António de Lencastre are considered the finest examples of iron architecture in the complex. As tuberculosis ceased to be a scourge, the historic pavilions were gradually abandoned — some now in advanced ruin with roofs partly collapsed.
🔗 Sources: VisitGuarda – Former Sanatorium of Guarda | Público – Sousa Martins Classified
2. Valongo Sanatorium – Valongo, Near Porto — Early 20th-Century Tuberculosis Sanatorium, Hill Above Porto, Decades of Abandonment, Atlas Obscura "Haunted" Reputation, Iconic Porto Urbex (Known Location)
The Valongo Sanatorium, located on a hill near Porto, was built in the early 20th century to treat tuberculosis patients. It has been abandoned for decades, including its large vacant steps, destroyed dwellings and vegetative structures that provide a disturbing environment. Atlas Obscura describes it as "an abandoned tuberculosis hospital said to be haunted by the patients who died within its walls." It is an iconic place for urban explorers, full of history and mystery.
🔗 Also read: Top 5 Abandoned Places in Portugal →
3. Sanatório Marítimo do Norte – Praia de Valadares, Vila Nova de Gaia — Built 1916, Seaside TB Sanatorium, Atlantic Shore Setting, Closed 1978, IPPAR Classification Candidate
The Sanatório Marítimo do Norte was built in 1916 on the seashore at Praia de Valadares because sea water is rich in iodine — intended specifically for maritime tuberculosis treatment. Founded by Joaquim Gomes Ferreira Alves, it worked until 1978 when its founder died. After that it was given to the Portuguese State, becoming progressively abandoned. It is a candidate for IPPAR heritage classification. A rehabilitation project was recently created. The Atlantic facade, the 1916 seaside sanatorium typology and the specific iodine-therapy maritime setting make this one of Portugal's most distinctive derelict medical sites. All GPS in our Portugal Urbex Map.
4. Hotel Serra da Pena – Near Sortelha, Beira — 1920s Radioactive Spa Hotel, Most Radioactive Waters in Europe, Closed 1945, Isolated Granite Ruin in the Mountains (Exclusively on Our Map)
The Hotel Serra da Pena near Sortelha — built in the 1920s as a radioactive spa whose waters were marketed as among the most radioactive in Europe for curative treatments — closed in 1945 and has remained an isolated granite ruin in the Beira mountains ever since. A luxury refurbishment project never materialised. The extraordinary "abandoned radioactive spa" provenance, the granite mountain setting and the complete isolation make this the most singular abandoned medical-adjacent building in Portugal. Mapped exclusively in our Portugal Urbex Map.
5. Abandoned Thermal Hospital – Northern Portugal River Valley — Belle Époque Medical Infrastructure, Mineral Spring Setting, Pre-WWI Construction, Decades of Post-WWII Neglect (Our Map Only)
Northern Portugal's mineral spring river valleys — the Minho and Trás-os-Montes — concentrated a cluster of Belle Époque thermal hospitals in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, built to serve the Portuguese upper class seeking curative mineral water treatments. Several of these thermal hospital complexes have been progressively abandoned as the clientele disappeared from the 1950s — the original thermal pool infrastructure intact, the ward buildings deteriorating and the river valley setting unchanged. GPS in our Portugal Urbex Map.
Safety Tips
- Sousa Martins roof collapse: some pavilions have suffered partial roof collapse in winter 2024 — document from accessible exteriors; never enter pavilions with visible roof damage
- Serra da Pena radiation: never drink or touch any water on site; radioactive source water may still seep from the ground — wash hands thoroughly after visiting
- Asbestos in medical buildings: Portuguese early 20th-century hospital insulation frequently contains asbestos — always wear an FFP2 mask in enclosed sanatorium spaces
- Never explore alone — always bring at least one other person and share your location
❓ FAQ
What is the most famous abandoned sanatorium in Portugal?
The Sousa Martins Sanatorium in Guarda — Portugal's first purpose-built tuberculosis institution (1907), designed by Raul Lino and inaugurated by King Carlos I and Queen Amélia, at 1,000 metres altitude in the Serra da Estrela foothills. Its abandoned Raul Lino pavilions are classified as a Property of Public Interest. For horror atmosphere, the Valongo Sanatorium above Porto has the strongest urbex reputation.
What is the Serra da Pena radioactive spa?
A 1920s–30s thermal hotel near Sortelha in the Beira mountains, built around mineral waters marketed as among the most radioactive in Europe for curative treatments. Closed in 1945 and left as an isolated granite ruin when the luxury refurbishment project never materialised. A singular urbex site with no equivalent in Portugal — or possibly in Europe.
Is the Sanatório Marítimo do Norte accessible?
The building at Praia de Valadares (Vila Nova de Gaia) is on state property with a rehabilitation project in progress — check current access conditions before visiting as contractor presence may be intermittent. The building is visible from the beachfront road. A candidate for IPPAR heritage classification.
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