Serra da Estrela and the Historic Villages
Mainland Portugal's highest mountains, a glacial valley and medieval granite villages.
Photo: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Arganil
Night: PiódãoPiódão
A schist village tiered like a nativity scene on the slopes of the Serra do Açor. Stay the night to see it after dark.
Foz d'Égua
River beach with stone bridges, a short walk from Piódão.
Manteigas
Night: ManteigasManteigas
A village at the bottom of the glacial valley, an ideal base for the mountains.
Zêzere Glacial Valley and Covão da Ametade
A U-shaped valley carved by ice, where the Zêzere rises among birch trees.
Poço do Inferno waterfall
A waterfall in the middle of the forest. In cold winters it can freeze.
Serra da Estrela · Seia · Covilhã
Night: ManteigasTorre
The highest point in mainland Portugal, at 1993 m. Snow and skiing in winter.
Lagoa Comprida
The largest lake in the mountains, a starting point for walking trails.
Covilhã
A wool town, with the Wool Museum (Museu de Lanifícios) and street art.
Belmonte · Sabugal
Night: SortelhaBelmonte
Historic Village: a castle, the home town of Pedro Álvares Cabral and the Jewish Museum.
Sortelha
A medieval village inside its walls, almost intact. Base for a night in a granite house.
Idanha-a-Nova
Night: ReturnMonsanto
The "most Portuguese village in Portugal", with houses wedged between giant boulders.
Idanha-a-Velhaoptional
A former Roman and Visigothic city, now a small museum village.